Monitoring SNMP devices with Zabbix

DP230Network Administrator
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In this article, the configuration steps in Zabbix to monitor devices via SNMP will be discussed with some real examples on Cisco Router/Switch, Catalyst Switch, NAS Synology device.

As you may know, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol for monitoring and managing network devices, such as routers, firewalls, switches, printers, … Besides, we also have Zabbix which is an open-source software for tracking and monitoring network devices’ statuses, operations. In this article, the configuration steps in Zabbix to monitor devices via SNMP will be discussed. The methodology is not very complex, with just 3 steps:

  • Step 1: Configure Zabbix once for SNMP tracking
  • Step 2: Enable SNMP on devices that you want to monitor
  • Step 3: Configure host on Zabbix’s interface     


Step 1: Prepare the Zabbix Server for SNMP monitoring.

1. Edit the sources.list configuration file and uncomment the multiverse line.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

 2. Update the repository

sudo apt-get update 

3. Install the required package

sudo apt-get install snmp snmp-mibs-downloader

 4. Edit the snmp.conf file and comment the line MIBs.

sudo nano /etc/snmp/snmp.conf

 5. Execute the command and perform the installation for the SNMP operation in Zabbix Server.

sudo download-mibs

 6. Restart the Zabbix Server

sudo service zabbix-server restart 


Step 2: Configure SNMP on Switch for monitoring (example: Cisco switch).

1. Enter in global configuration mode in switch  

switch#conf t 


2. configure SNMP-server

switch(config)#snmp-server community sw2960-4
switch(config)#snmp-server location Network_room
switch(config)#snmp-server contact TinoP-SysAdmin


Step 3: Configure host on Zabbix’s interface

1. Go to Zabbix Server web interface, click on Configuration tab -> Hosts and go to Create Host.

Host name - hostname

SNMP interfaces - ip_of_host


2. Go to Macros

{$SNMP_COMMUNITY} - hostname


3. Go to Templates

Select Templates SNMP Device, Hit the Add button,  then Update


Then you have to wait about 1 hour until the properties of templates are fully updated. At that moment, the SNMP icon should be green like this:


*******************************************************************

Here are some other examples of enabling SNMP on other devices (Step 2)


A. On ESXi host

1. Go to SSH on ESXi host


2. Set the SNMP community string

esxcli system snmp set --communities YOUR_STRING

3. Enable the SNMP service

esxcli system snmp set --enable true

4. Add necessary firewall rules

esxcli network firewall ruleset set --ruleset-id snmp --allowed-all true

5. Enable the added firewall rule

esxcli network firewall ruleset set --ruleset-id snmp --enabled true

6. Restart the SNMP daemon

/etc/init.d/snmpd restart


B. On Catalyst Switch 500


C. On NAS Synology device


**********

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabbix

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Network_Management_Protocol

https://serenity-networks.com/how-to-enable-snmp-on-esxi-5-5-5-6-for-remote-monitoring/

https://tylermade.net/2017/04/28/how-to-enable-snmp-monitoring-for-vmware-esxi-6-06-5/

http://www.oodlestechnologies.com/blogs/Configuration-of-Zabbix-Server-to-monitor-in-SNMP-device


Happy monitoring ^^


* This one is inside a series of Design, Configure and Operate the IT devices, you can find other posts here:


Part1: Network design and BoM (Bill of Material)

https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/32044/Design-configure-and-operate-the-IT-devices-for-a-SMB-or-a-startup-group.html





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