SNMP Monitoring Software
All-In-One
for professionals

SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol and consists of three key components: managed devices, agents, and network-management systems (NMSs). The protocol is a set of standards for communication with devices in a TCP/IP network. SNMP monitoring is useful for anyone who is responsible for servers and network devices such as hosts, routers, hubs and switches. It lets you keep an eye on network and bandwidth usage, and track important issues such as uptime and traffic levels.

All in one, no extra cost: that is our philosophy. With PRTG, the full range of features is included. There are no hidden fees or additional upgrades to pay for. This is also true if you wish to use your monitoring for SNMP traps. Using PRTG as a trap receiver is simple! For we've created an appropriate sensor - which is also available in the free version (100 sensors) - to help you get started.

SNMP traps: With SNMP monitoring, monitoring software usually sends small data packets to target devices in order to request various information from them. This in turn triggers response packets from the monitored devices for SNMP manager. The upside of SNMP traps is that devices automatically send messages to the SNMP server monitoring software in the event of crucial incidents, without first being requested to do so.

PRTG lets you monitor your network via SNMP. NetFlow and Packet Sniffing are used for the in-depth monitoring of data traffic, while SNMP provides for a comprehensive overview of the performance of your network. SNMP boasts the following five advantages:

Use the following five SNMP sensors to monitor the most important features on each of your devices. More sensors can be found in our PRTG sensor list. There are dozens of SNMP sensors, and over 200 in all!

• SNMP CPU Load Sensor: PRTG's SNMP CPU Load Sensor shows you the extent to which your processors are being utilized. The load is displayed as a percentage in a typical PRTG tachometer, in PRTG called "gauges".
• SNMP Disk Free Sensor: The SNMP Disk Free Sensor shows you how much hard disk space is available. This value is displayed as a percentage and in bytes.
• SNMP Memory Sensor: The SNMP Memory Sensor shows you how much memory is left. This sensor allows you to make plans to upgrade your hardware, if necessary.
• SNMP Traffic Sensor: With the SNMP Traffic Sensor, you get a constant overview of the amount of data traffic flowing through a device's ports. Should the load begin to increase at a critical rate, you'll be notified quickly.
• SNMP Hardware Status Sensor: The SNMP Hardware Status Sensor allows you to keep a constant eye on your hardware, whether devices from Cisco, Dell or IBM. You will see if your devices are running and be notified in the event of a crash.

Due to the large number of devices (routers, switches, servers, etc.), several manufacturers were forced to define a common standard for monitoring the functionality of devices and networks.

SNMP V1: The first SNMP version was defined in 1988. It is still in widespread use today, mainly because it is much easier to use than the other versions. However, this version does not come with encryption. It is therefore recommended that SNMP V1 only be used in private LANs which are not connected to the Internet.

SNMP V2c: When people speak of version 2, they usually mean SNMP V2c. This version, however, also lacks encryption. One feature of SNMP V2c is that it supports 64-bit counters, whereas SNMP V1 uses only 32-bit. 

SNMP V3: The third and most current version of SNMP also supports encryption and significantly increases the security of SNMP monitoring. Nevertheless, setting up SNMP V3 is complex and elaborate in comparison to its predecessors. To date, it is still not very widespread.

Having an issue with your SNMP monitoring? A sensor reports an error - but you can't see why? Use our SNMP Tester to get to the root of the problem. With this tool, you can make SNMP inquiries and obtain detailed log files. If you cannot find the bug, simply send the log files to our support team. In this way, we can help to solve your problem. 

• To the SNMP TESTER
• To PRTG Support

 
“We can all work with greater peace of mind knowing that our systems are constantly being monitored.”

Markus Puke, Network Administrator, Schüchtermann Klinik, Germany.

“Hey Luciano, what would you tell administrators looking to set up SNMP monitoring with PRTG?”

“With PRTG, you not only get the many standard sensors which exist for SNMP monitoring, but also the ability to monitor devices even without having a native sensor for them. You can thus monitor practically any SNMP-compatible device! First of all, obtain the relevant MIB file containing a definition of all available OIDs from the manufacturer of your hardware. Then use the MIB importer to make the MIBs available to PRTG, and create an SNMP library sensor. Finally, select the properties of the target device you’d like to monitor, and within no time at all you’ll have the data you need!”

Luciano Lingnau works in PAESSLER AG's technical support department. Find out more on this topic by consulting his answer in our knowledge base.

Over 95% of our customers recommend PRTG

Paessler AG submitted an extensive survey to interview more than 600 IT departments worldwide who use PRTG. The goal of this survey was to optimize and fine-tune our Network Monitoring Software to better meet the needs of administrators.

One survey result: more than 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG - or have already done so.

Our SNMP white papers provide you with deeper insight into the functions of SNMP. You can also learn more in our PRTG Manual about how to monitor your network via SNMP.

SNMP White Paper 1 (PDF): How does SNMP work? What are the alternatives to SNMP? What does the future hold for SNMP?

SNMP White Paper 2 (PDF): The most common stumbling blocks when setting up SNMP (such as OIDs), the practical use of SNMP, and SNMP traps.

Expand your know-how: our SNMP email course

You're interested in learning more about SNMP - but little by little instead of having to digest an entire white paper at once? Then sign up here for our free, five-week email course. This course is a great way to develop your expertise on network monitoring via SNMP.

• To the SNMP email course

Naturally, many administrators are curious to know how much the PRTG SNMP Monitoring Tool costs.

1. The basic version of PRTG is free. 100 sensors are included and never expire. This is usually plenty for small businesses.

2. You can try a version with an unlimited amount of sensors for 30 days for free. This will provide you with a good idea of how our monitoring tool works. Find out more about PRTG costs and licenses here.

3. All in one: you won't need any additional plug-ins to monitor your cloud services. Even the alarm feature is included. You get one tool with one license.

Start your Free Trial Version today! Upgrade only if it makes sense to do so. PRTG is installed in a matter of minutes.