There are many benefits for Network Administrators and organizations in general to manage and monitor SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)-enabled devices.
This can include but is not limited to:
Compliance and Reporting: Organizations must comply with regulatory standards and internal network performance, security, and availability policies. SNMP monitoring can help organizations be compliant by providing detailed reports and audits of network performance and activity.
Proactive Issue Detection: SNMP facilitates proactive monitoring of network devices with real-time information about factors such as device performance, health, and status. This means administrators can detect issues such as hardware failures, network congestion, and performance bottlenecks.
Performance Optimization: Monitoring SNMP-enabled devices means that administrators can identify performance issues or inefficiencies. This information can be used to optimize network configurations, allocate resources more effectively, and improve overall network performance.
Centralized Management:SNMP allows administrators to centrally control and monitor a variety of network devices which includes routers, switches, and servers. This centralized approach simplifies the management process by reducing the need for manual configuration and monitoring of individual devices.
Security Management: SNMP can also monitor and manage network security devices, such as firewalls. By monitoring these devices, administrators will detect and respond to security threats in real time.
Fault Management: SNMP allows administrators to monitor for device faults and errors, such as interface failures, power supply issues, or configuration errors. This minimizes downtime and service disruptions.
Resource Planning: SNMP monitoring gives valuable insights into resource usage (bandwidth usage, CPU and memory utilization, and disk space availability). This data helps administrators make informed decisions when allocating and expanding.
SNMP-enabled device monitoring and management is essential for maintaining a stable, secure, and efficient network infrastructure.
Top 8 Free SNMP Browsers
There are many free SNMP browsers available on the internet that provide features for efficiently managing and monitoring devices equipped with SNMP.
These browsers offer GUI (Graphical User Interfaces), different SNMP version support (such as SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3), and compatibility with various operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Free SNMP browsers worth considering include:
FrameFlow SNMP Browser: Allows multiple views, filtering, and customized result searches. This browser supports custom MIB files and scans multiple devices simultaneously.
iReasoning MIB Browser: By using GUI, this browser supports SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3. It gives IPv6 and MIB support. Free, professional, and enterprise versions are available.
WinAgents MIB Browser: This Windows SNMP browser offers a graphical user interface, network discovery options, MIB support, and SNMP polling capabilities.
SnmpB: This open-source SNMP browser comes with a graphical interface. It supports SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3. It provides features like traps and trend graphs.
ManageEngine MIB Browser: A free SNMP MIB browser that features support for SNMP traps and tables.
NSAUDITOR FreeSnmp: This browser allows users to view and browse MIBs and perform snmpwalk operations for free.
KS-SOFT MIB Browser: This SNMP browser offers a tree-based viewer, graphs, tables, and the ability to search for OIDs, this browser is free to use.
ServersCheck MIB Browser: This browser comes with a GUI and includes standard MIBs. It requires a Java runtime environment and is available for free. These SNMP browsers give you a variety of functions. This allows you to monitor and manage SNMP-based devices efficiently and effectively.
Top Paid SNMP Browsers
Paid SNMP browsers are designed with a professional environment in mind by offering more robust and scalable solutions. They often include comprehensive support, advanced security, and a bundle of tools made to simplify network management.
Here are notable paid SNMP browsers that you should consider:
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor: PRTG offers a one-stop solution that checks your network's health using a lot of protocols. Its SNMP browser component integrates into a wider system that gives you real-time data, customizable dashboards, and detailed reporting.
SolarWinds Engineer's Toolset: With 60+ tools, this suite is equipped with an SNMP Browser for professionals. It gives you advanced monitoring, diagnostic, and analysis features that help you manage an extensive network efficiently.
WhatsUp Gold: This tool offers SNMP monitoring and management capabilities for simplifying how you monitor and manage your network. Features like interactive network maps and automated discovery aim to make network management as intuitive as possible.
Zabbix: Zabbix offers SNMP monitoring for almost all network devices. Zabbix is scalable, which makes it suitable for large and small businesses. The Zabbix SNMP browser is part of a solution that monitors networks, servers, clouds, and applications.
ManageEngine OpManager: Designed for enterprise-level networks, OpManager equips you with extensive SNMP monitoring abilities. This includes automatic network device discovery, detailed performance analytics, and customizable alert systems. This is a tool for those wanting to deep-dive into network management and optimization.
How To Pick Between Free or Premium
Choosing whether you should go with freeware or premium SNMP browsers depends on who you are and what you're trying to accomplish.
If you're a hobbyist who is looking to test the waters with SNMP browsers, then a free SNMP browser is all that you need.
Likewise, if you are attempting to use SNMP browsers to create a proposal portfolio for a project that you can show your higher-ups, there are free SNMP browsers that have paid versions you can upgrade to later. This allows you to enter trial runs with 0 risk and expense.
Gaining visibility into your network is the first thing that you need to consider. The next step is to ensure your network's reliability.
While free SNMP browsers offer great features on their own, premium ones offer you professional reliability.
If you, for example, work for a utility company that services millions of customers -- putting your clients at preventable risks can cost you your job.
You would also need to worry about hardware and software installations, as well as compliance issues.
DPS Telecom is an Easy & Customizable One-Stop-Shop for SNMP Management
DPS Telecom understands that all operations are different on some level. We want you to treat us like your own personal engineer.
If you are someone who is looking for a solution to your network's SNMP management, we can offer you hands-free customized solutions that give you:
Compliance with internal, regional, and national codes.
Centralized SNMP management
SNMP network security
Proactive issue detection within your network & protocols
Our highly customizable T/Mon Master Station easily interfaces with devices from other manufacturers due to it supporting many modules.
The T/Mon Master Station is a one-stop solution for your SNMP management. In addition to being form factor customizable, these are the benefits of choosing T/Mon:
A centralized multifunctional solution.
Protocol support for over 25 communication protocols.
Legacy integration so you don't need to rip out older equipment.
24/7 customer support and documentation to help you setup your SNMP management to your infrastructure's specific needs.
Our Comprehensive GUI allows effortless management and visibility for your remote monitoring system.
If any of this is confusing to you, or if you think you have an application that can use our streamlined T/Mon and expert support, please feel free to contact me and we can discuss you application further.
Even if we can't find a compromise together, I will do my best to help point you in the right direction.
Ziad Alezabi is a Application Documentarian at DPS Telecom. He reviews successful DPS client projects and reports on the best practices that you can use to successfully reach your own project goals.
