Configure an SNMP agent in Windows

The SNMP Communication Driver runs on the manager - the node hosting the network management station (NMS). This manager computer monitors and manages a group of managed devices. Each managed device runs an SNMP agent, which receives instructions from and reports information to the manager.

The manager - the machine hosting the SNMP Communication Driver - does not need an SNMP agent installed, nor SNMP Windows services enabled.

Each managed device must have an SNMP agent installed and configured. The following procedures apply with minor variations to different Windows operating systems to enable and configure the Windows SNMP service which can act as an SNMP agent to act as a target device for the Communication Driver to manage.

A Windows 2012 server operating system is used for illustration purposes.

Install an SNMP agent

1. Open Windows Control Panel, then Programs and Features.

   On a Windows server OS, you can use Server Manager to open and run the Add Roles and Features Wizard.

2. In the Windows features window, select Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Optionally, you can also select its child feature, SNMP WMI Provider.

   

3. Select OK. Windows installs the SNMP agent components.

Configure an SNMP agent

4. Open Control Panel, then Administrative Tools, then Computer Management.

   On a Windows server OS, open the Server Manager then select Tools, then Computer Management.

5. In the left pane, select Services and Applications then Services. The Services list appears.

6. In the list, right click SNMP Services and select Properties in the context menu. The SNMP Service Properties dialog appears.

   The minimum configuration required to perform SET and GET to windows agents are:

   • Add a Read Only community

   • Select Accept SNMP packets from any host.

     

7. Select the Security tab.

   1. Select Send authentication trap if you want the managed device to send a trap message when authentication fails.

   2. Under Accepted community names, select Add. The SNMP Service Configuration dialog appears.

      

   3. Under Community rights, select a permission level from the list box for this node to handle SNMP requests from the selected community.

   4. Under Community name, enter a community name and select Add. The community name is case-sensitive.

   5. Choose to accept SNMP packets from any host by selecting the Accept SNMP packets from any host radio button.

   6. Alternatively, you can choose to accept SNMP packets from specific hosts by selecting the Accept SNMP packets from these hosts radio button, select Add to add a host address.

      The SNMP Service Configuration, Host address dialog appears. Enter the host name or address and select Add.

      

      The host name or address appears in the SNMP Service Properties dialog.

      

8. If you want to enable traps, select the Traps tab.

   

   1. Select or enter a community name in the Community name list box and select Add to list.

   2. Select Add under the Trap destinations text box. Enter the destination name or address in the address dialog.

      

      Select Add. The destination name or address appears in the Traps destination list.

      

9. Select OK or Apply to accept the properties configuration.