SNMP monitoring software
all-in-one for professionals

What is SNMP?

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.

The advantages of SNMP Monitoring with PRTG

Need support?

Use PRTG as an SNMP Trap Receiver

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 - 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.

5 advantages
of SNMP Monitoring

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:

Award winning solution

Our recommendations:
THE TOP-5 PRTG sensors for your SNMP Monitoring

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: This 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: This sensor shows you how much hard disk space is available. This value is displayed as a percentage and in bytes.
• SNMP Memory Sensor: This 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 this 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: This 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.

Step 1

Check to make sure your devices support SNMP. This should be the case at your company, for SNMP has been a standard for several years for manufacturers such as Cisco, Juniper, HP, and Dell. In this step, PRTG also verifies which SNMP version is supported and discovers automatically all available devices in your network.

Step 2

Turn on SNMP in the device. There is often a management program or configuration page for this purpose. For many devices, the default SNMP setting is “off.” If there is a firewall between the devices and the PRTG probe, then configure the firewall accordingly. Activate SNMP port 161 and open all outgoing ports greater than 1023 for SNMP on the PRTG side of the firewall.

Step 3

Create appropriate sensors for the devices in PRTG. The sensor settings must be compatible with the device’s version of SNMP so the data can be read.

SNMP V1 vs.
SNMP V2 vs.
SNMP V3

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.

Support:
problems with SNMP Monitoring? Put the PRTG Tester to work!

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
• What is an SNMP Community String?
• MIBs and OIDs - an Overview
• MIB Browser

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

Markus Puke, Network Administrator, Schüchtermann Klinik, Germany.

PRTG saves time

PRTG is an easy and intuitive SNMP server monitor. You get one central monitoring tool with which to monitor your network via SNMP and SNMP traps. The dashboard provides a quick overview at all times - whether on your desktop or as an app.

PRTG saves worry

Setting up PRTG is quick and easy. Dozens of SNMP sensors are available as well as user-defined sensors compatible with the various SNMP versions and adapted to specific manufacturers.

PRTG saves money

80 % of our customers report substantial savings in the area of network management. And license costs pay for themselves in an average of only 3 1/2 months.

“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 worldwide trialled PRTG in over 600 IT departments.
The aim was to tune the network monitoring software closer to the needs of the administrators.
The result of the survey: over 95% of the participants would recommend PRTG - or already had.

WMI

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a standard developed by Microsoft. Depending on the size of your network, WMI can lead to load problems. Here too, PRTG comes to the rescue with its specific sensors. Find out more on the page on WMI Monitoring.

NetFlow

Netflow and IPFIX are protocols which are used mainly in Cisco devices. But other protocols, such as sFlow and jFlow, are also suitable for bandwidth monitoring. Find out more on our Netflow Monitoring topic page.

Packet Sniffing

Monitoring via packet sniffing provides you with detailed insight into your data packets. This is convenient, namely, when you'd like to take a closer look at why data traffic problems sometimes occur in your network. Find out more on the page on Packet Sniffing Monitoring.

You want to know more about other network-related monitoring topics?

Here you find everything about...

PRTG as network traffic analyzer

PRTG the network activity monitor

PRTG as NTP monitor

DHCP Monitoring with PRTG

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, four-part email course. This course is a great way to develop your expertise on network monitoring via SNMP.

• To the SNMP email course

PAESSLER AG –
German quality
engineering

• Unlimited version of PRTG for 30 days
• After 30 days, PRTG reverts to a free version
• Or, you can upgrade to a paid license anytime

Made in Germany: The PRTG Network Monitoring Tool is the fruit of an engaged team. The company was founded by Dirk Paessler. The PAESSLER AG headquarters are located in the city of Nuremberg, in the heart of Germany. We combine typical German virtues such as high quality standards, industriousness, and commitment with international, cosmopolitan flair. Read more about our firm here. By the way: We are regularly looking for new recruits.

Case Studies: Airports, utility companies, banks, colleges, hospitals: PRTG is present in every industry. For each of our customers, business and organizational processes depend on the proper functioning of the network infrastructure. The PRTG customer satisfaction is close to 100%. Read in our case studies how our customers use PRTG.

Product tests: It goes without saying that we are convinced by the quality of PRTG. But what about the others? PRTG has always performed extremely well in tests. PRTG user “LanLine” sums it up best: “PRTG was already good several years ago, and has gotten better from version to version ever since.” Such has been our steadfast and sincere goal. Read more about monitoring software product tests and comparisons here.

Support: Our support team works hard every day to help customers solve their monitoring problems. Our goal is to resolve all inquiries within 24 hours (on business days). We've drafted a comprehensive manual and built up an extensive knowledge base featuring videos, webinars, and FAQs. All support, of course, is also included!

Getting started is easy: The trial version is free, which means you can try our monitoring tool risk-free. To switch to another version of PRTG, simply search for an appropriate license. You can upgrade any time you like.

• Hosted Monitoring

• Syslog Monitor