Heavy Networking 518: Learning To Live With SNMP

Perhaps the most arcane technology in networking is the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which, despite its name, is one of the utmost confusing pieces of technology to actually use.
SNMP is a Cthulu-like figure that is everywhere, but darkness and despair surrounds it. While SNMP is fading away and being replaced with new options, it persists because it’s so widely implemented.
On today’s show we’ve enlisted the aid of experienced warriors to stare into the darkness of SNMP to help us master it.
Joining me is Michael Lucas, who recently published the book SNMP Mastery which, after reading, inspired this podcast. He’s also the author of “Cisco Routers for the Desperate,” “SSH Mastery” (which I also highly recommend) and “Savaged by SystemD: an Erotic Unix Encounter.”
We’re also joined by Allan Jude, a FreeBSD and Open ZFS developer and co-conspirator with Michael.
We discuss:

* How we got SNMP in the first place
* What the protocol gets right
* SNMP survival tips
* Why MIBs are confusing
* More

Sponsor: ITProTV
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Sponsor: Itential
Itential is intelligent automation for multi-domain and multi-vendor networks. You can find out more about Itential in Heavy Networking 503, and at itential.com/packetpushers.
Show Links:
SNMP Mastery – Michael W. Lucas
SSH Master – Michael W. Lucas
Michael W. Lucas on Twitter
Allan Jude on Twitter
2.5 Admins Podcast
BSD Now Podcast