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SNMP Device Catalog

Overview

The SNMP Device Catalog is a critical component in the process of discovering devices from network infrastructure. It is a repository of devices based on their OID, which is used during the discovery of devices in AIOps. When the discovery runs, the OID of the discovered devices is fetched using SNMP walk, and it is checked against the OIDs present in the catalog. Based on the match, a predefined template for monitoring in the monitoring screen and a monitor type are assigned to the discovered device, and it is then displayed in the monitor screen.

The SNMP Device Catalog screen not only contains the OID for the discovered devices, but it also includes the OID for the metrics that need to be monitored for all the network devices in the infrastructure.

Use-Case

In some cases, you may want to monitor specific metrics that are not monitored by AIOps by default. This might be new metrics added by the device vendor or even some custom metrics that you might want to create based on certain manipulation of the metric OIDs. In such cases, you can create a new record in the SNMP Device Catalog, where you can map the device OID with the metric OID that you want to poll. This allows AIOps to start polling this metric from the next poll.

Overall, the SNMP Device Catalog screen plays a crucial role in ensuring that your AIOps product can accurately discover and monitor network devices in your environment. By correctly configuring the catalog, you can ensure that your AIOps product provides valuable insights into the health and performance of your infrastructure.

Go to the Main Menu, Select Settings . After that, go to Monitoring Settings . Select SNMP Device Catalog. The SNMP Device Catalog screen is now displayed.

SNMP Device Catalog Screen

Here's an overview of each field in the screen:

Field NameDescription
SNMP Device Catalog NameThis field contains the name of the SNMP device catalog. It is used to uniquely identify the catalog and differentiate it from other SNMP device catalogs.
VendorThis field specifies the vendor of the device associated with the OID.
TypeThis field specifies the type of device that is associated with the OID. For example, it could be a router, switch, firewall, or any other network device.
Used CountThis field indicates the number of times the SNMP device catalog has been used to discover devices in your infrastructure.
System OIDThis field contains the system OID for the device associated with the OID. It is a unique identifier used to match the discovered devices during the discovery process.
Created ByThis field specifies the user who created the SNMP device catalog.
Action

This field has three subtypes:

- Edit SNMP Device Catalog: This action allows you to edit the SNMP device catalog.

- Clone SNMP Device Catalog: This action allows you to create a new SNMP device catalog by cloning an existing one. You can use this feature to create a new SNMP device catalog with similar settings as an existing one, thereby saving time and effort.

- Assign Monitors: This action allows you to assign monitors to the SNMP device catalog.

By using the fields on the SNMP Device Catalog screen, you can manage and monitor the devices and metrics in your infrastructure accurately. By correctly configuring the catalog, you can ensure that your AIOps product provides valuable insights into the health and performance of your network infrastructure and helps you detect and resolve any issues proactively.

How to start monitoring a new metric for a device?

SNMP Device Catalogs play a vital role in discovering and monitoring devices and metrics in an infrastructure. They contain information such as the device OID, vendor, and type, which is essential for your AIOps product to discover and monitor the devices accurately.

In some cases, a user might need to monitor specific metrics that are not monitored by AIOps. In such cases, the user can create a new record in the SNMP Device Catalog and map the device OID with the metric OID. Once this is done, the AIOps product will start polling the new metric from the next poll.

Additionally, creating a new SNMP Device Catalog record is also useful when a user needs to monitor devices from a new vendor or type that is not already available in the existing SNMP Device Catalog. By creating a new record, the user can configure the settings specific to the new vendor or type and ensure that the AIOps product can monitor the devices accurately.

Therefore, creating a new SNMP Device Catalog record is a necessary step for users who want to monitor specific metrics or devices that are not already included in the existing SNMP Device Catalog. It allows users to customize and configure the settings as required and ensures that the AIOps product provides accurate insights into the health and performance of their infrastructure.

Select Create SNMP Device Catalog to create a custom catalog.

Creating a Custom SNMP Device Catalog

In Motadata AIOps, you can create a custom SNMP Device Catalog to monitor specific metrics or devices that are not covered by default. To set up a custom catalog, follow the steps below to fill up the necessary details

FieldDescription
System OIDEnter the appropriate System OID for the device you want to monitor. The System OID uniquely identifies the device associated with the OID in the catalog.
NameProvide a meaningful and descriptive name for the SNMP Device Catalog. This name will help you identify the catalog and differentiate it from others in your monitoring setup.
VendorSpecify the vendor of the device associated with the OID. This information helps categorize the devices efficiently for better organization and management.
TypeChoose the type of device that is associated with the OID from the available options, such as router, switch, firewall, or other network devices. Selecting the correct device type is essential for accurate device discovery and monitoring.

OID Groups

The OID Groups section allows you to categorize the OIDs that need to be monitored.

OID Group NameEach OID Group you create must have a unique name within the catalog. This name will be used to refer to the specific group, making it easier to manage and configure.
Scalar/Tabular

Select the appropriate OID type.

- Scalar OIDs represent single, discrete values. These values may include metrics like CPU utilization or memory usage, represented by specific OIDs.

- Tabular OIDs represent sets of related data, presented in a table format. These tables might include information about interfaces, network routes, etc.

OID Listing

Under each OID Group, you can list individual OIDs and their corresponding names.

OID NameAssign a descriptive name to each OID, representing the metric or data you want to monitor. For example, you can use "CPU (%)" for CPU utilization.
OIDProvide the actual OID (Object Identifier) associated with the metric you want to monitor, e.g., 1.3.6.1.4.1.9.2.1.58.0 for CPU utilization.
Choose OIDIf you are unsure about the OID to use, you can utilize the "Choose OID" feature to browse and select from available OIDs supported by the device.
Add OIDSelect this button to add another OID to the OID group.

Ensure to save your changes after filling up all the required details to create the custom SNMP Device Catalog. This catalog will then be used by Motadata AIOps to discover and monitor devices, along with the specified metrics, providing valuable insights into your network infrastructure's health and performance.

Testing the OID

After listing all the OIDs and filling up the necessary details in the custom SNMP Device Catalog, it is essential to ensure that the OIDs are correctly configured and can be successfully polled for metrics. Review the listed OIDs to ensure they are accurate and match the metrics you intend to poll.

  • Test OID Group

Once you have verified the OIDs, click on the "Test OID Group" button. A new screen will appear, displaying all the listed OIDs within the OID group you created.

  • Select Parent OID Group

Select the OID that you want to set up as the parent OID for the listed OIDs in the group. The parent OID helps in structuring the OIDs logically, especially when dealing with tabular data or hierarchical metrics.

After selecting the parent OID, click on the Select Parent OID button.

  • Confirm and Create SNMP Device Catalog

After selecting the parent OID, carefully review all the OID values and their associations. If everything looks correct and validated, proceed to click on the "Create SNMP Device Catalog" button. This will save your custom SNMP Device Catalog with the configured OIDs and their relationships.

By testing the OID values before creating the catalog, you can ensure that the OIDs are functioning correctly and can be polled for the desired metrics. This step is crucial in avoiding potential issues during device discovery and monitoring.

Once the custom SNMP Device Catalog is created, Motadata AIOps will use this catalog to discover and monitor devices based on the specified metrics.

Assign Monitor to the SNMP Device Catalog

Once you have successfully created the custom SNMP Device Catalog with the listed OIDs and their associations, the next step is to assign monitors to the catalog. By assigning monitors, you enable Motadata AIOps to start monitoring the new metrics associated with the OIDs in your network infrastructure.

Go back to the SNMP Device Catalog screen and locate the catalog you have just created. Under the Actions column of your custom SNMP Device Catalog, click on the Assign Monitors option. This action will allow you to specify the monitors that will be associated with the OIDs listed in the catalog.

After clicking on Assign Monitors, a list of all available network type monitors will appear. Carefully review the list of network type monitors and select the ones that are relevant to the metrics you want to monitor. You can choose one or multiple monitors based on your requirements.

Once you have selected the monitors to assign to the SNMP Device Catalog, click on Assign Monitors. Motadata AIOps will then associate the chosen monitors with the OIDs in your custom catalog.

With the monitors now assigned to the SNMP Device Catalog, the monitoring process for the new metrics will begin during the next polling cycle. AIOps will collect data from the listed OIDs and provide real-time insights into the performance and health of your devices and network infrastructure.