Automation Engine SNMP Subagent's FAQ and Glossary

This document includes frequently asked questions and important terms regarding the AE SNMP Subagent.

Keywords

SNMP - Simple Network Management Protocol
MIB - Management Information Base. Stores information in a tree structure. The MIB is part of the SNMP Subagent.
Masteragent - SNMP service which communicates with SNMP Subagents in order to query MIB information and forward it to the relevant applications.
Subagent - Stores information in the MIB and makes it available for the Masteragent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an OID?

Each information module in the MIB has a unique OID (Object Identifier) which is used to read the MIB's content. OIDs consist of a series of numbers which are separated from each other with dots. OIDS are globally unique. The AE SNMP Subagent's MIB has the OID "1.3.6.1.4.1.2562.1.1". The individual MIB content also has a number which is appended to the MIB's OID. The MIB's tree structure results in OIDs whose structure reflects the MIB structure.

Example:

The OID of the AE agent's version is: "1.3.6.1.4.1.2562.1.1.1.1.0 "

The individual OID parts are:

1.3.6.1.4.1.2562.1.1 - MIB

1 - Agent group

1.1.0 - AE agent version

What is a trap?

A trap is an asynchronous message which the Automation Engine sends to the AE SNMP Subagent. Traps are not stored in the MIB but are directly forwarded to the Masteragent. This means that the applications immediately obtain important information.

How can I send a trap?

In particular situations, the Automation Engine generates predefined traps. You can also send traps using a script. For more information, see:

Are traps stored in the MIB table?

Traps are immediately forwarded to the Masteragent. There is no need to store them in the MIB.

What can be the reason for lost traps?

There can be various causes:

Check the value specified in the AE SNMP Subagents INI file parameter processing=. Value "1" has the effect that no traps are sent to the Masteragent.
The computer on which the Masteragent runs must be the trap destination. Under Windows, the computer name must be specified in the Windows SNMP service. Under UNIX, it must be specified in the file snmpd.conf or ucsnmp1.conf.
The community name specified in the AE Subagent's INI file parameter community= must comply with the community specified in the Masteragent.

What is Net SNMP?

Net SNMP is an open source SNMP Server under UNIX.

Which SNMP versions does the AE SNMP Subagent support?

UNIX: SNMP V1, SNMP V2c and SNMP V3

Windows: SNMP V1 and SNMP V2c

Is it possible to install the AE SNMP Subagent subsequently?

Yes, refer to the corresponding installation guides (UNIX or Windows); they also describe the required steps for subsequent installation. For more information, see:

How can I test that the AE SNMP Subagent installation was successful?

Use the SNMP Tool which is included in the delivery directory Tools\no_supp in the file snmptools.zip. It can be used to read the MIB, receive or send traps etc.

Important! The SNMP Tool is not supported.

Why does the AE SNMP Subagent ignore Masteragent queries?

Possible reasons are:

The AE SNMP Subagent has not been started or the SNMP service is not active.
The community name specified in the AE SNMP Subagent's INI file parameter community= must comply with the community specified in the Masteragent.

Why is the MIB table incomplete?

The MIB's tree structure is dynamically created. If there are no blocked tasks or active notifications, the AE SNMP Subagent does not create structures for these areas.

Only the Agent Data Group and the Agent Work Group are created and filled with values if the Automation Engine is inactive.

What SNMP Server configurations are required (Net SNMP, Windows SNMP service or Masteragent mode)?

Enter a community name.
This community must at least have a reading right.
Specify a destination for the traps (host name or IP address).
Ensure that the network grants access to the UDP port 161.
Access to the UDP port must also be granted if you want to receive traps.

What is a community name?

A community name is a group to which you can assign access rights. The default community name is "public".

How can SNMP be used to monitor jobs?

AE does not support a direct connection of jobs to SNMP, but the script statement :SEND_SNMP_TRAP can be used to monitor jobs.

Example:

:SET &NAME# = SYS_ACT_ME_NAME()
:SET &ID# = SYS_ACT_ME_NR()
:SET &JPNAME# = SYS_ACT_PARENT_NAME()
:SET &CLIENT# = SYS_ACT_CLIENT()
:SET &STATUS# = GET_UC_OBJECT_STATUS()

:IF &STATUS# < "1900"
: PRINT &STATUS#
: PRINT "Client: &CLIENT#, JOBNAME: &NAME#"
: PRINT &NAME#
: SEND_SNMP_TRAP 801450, "&CLIENT#", "&NAME#",, "Problems in processing!"
:ENIDF

The script function GET_UC_OBJECT_STATUS can be used to find out the job's end status and react to it accordingly. This solution can be implemented in the direct form of a script or in a reusable form as an Include object.

For more information, see: