Simple Network Management Protocol. A form of protocol which is used to collect and organize information about devices. There is a very simple method of configuring this. I have worked with a number of platforms, however, currently I am working with Auvik. Very simple platform and the jobs get done.
Lots of time people can over complicate a technology but it can also be very simple. SNMP and WMI is used to monitor devices. SNMP is recommended for devices such as switches, printers, IOT and workstation / servers. But for Windows Servers and workstations in particular, WMI enabled, you will be able to get more information and sufficient for monitoring. I will go through a very simple steps on enabling SNMP and WMI on a Windows workstation or server.
SNMP on Windows 10
You can proceed to Control Panel > Add / Remove program > Turn on and off Features > SNMP Client
This will enable the service. Thereafter, you can go to services and you will see “SNMP Service” services available. This is where you will configure the SNMP service to be able to communicate with a device.
I usually add my details or the device details, location and enable all the other items.
Depending where you want to connect to and the string, you configure this on the “Traps” tab. Community String – Public (I am using the default string and you can add a custom one depending on what has been configured on the SNMP device. Then enter the IP of the destination to which you want to send the traps to.
On the Security tab, add a “READ-ONLY” community string which was added on the “Traps” tab. Then configure “Accept SNMP packets from these hosts” to be more secured.
SNMP on Servers
On Servers, you pretty much “Add a Role or Feature”. Select the “SNMP Service” as per below. Then follow the exact steps as above for the configurations. Some servers may require a reboot in order for the tab to show up.
Enabling WMI
You need to configure the “Local Security Policy” We nee to enable WinRM before WMI can work. Here are the step:
- From the start menu, open Control Panel.
- Select “Administrative Tools“.
- Click “Local Security Policy“.
- Click “Network List Manager Policies“.
- Right-click on “Unidentified Networks“.
- Select “Properties“.
- Change the location type from Not configured to “Private”.
- Click OK.
- Close the “Local Security Policy window“
Open Command prompt (As Administrator) and enter the following: winrm quickconfig
If you get an error stating it is not configured, then run the following command: winrm identify -r:http://localhost:5985 -auth:none
Expected result:
IdentifyResponse
ProtocolVersion = http://schemas.dmtf.org/wbem/wsman/1/wsman.xsd
ProductVendor = Microsoft Corporation
ProductVersion = OS: 0.0.0 SP: 0.0 Stack: 3.0
That means your device can now be managed using WMI.