OIDs are a crucial part of SNMP and SNMP Management

SNMP OIDs Are the Leaves on the MIB Tree Structure

An SNMP OID (object identifier) is assigned to an individual object within a Management Information Base (MIB). An MIB can be broken down into a tree structure. Within this structure, individual OIDs are representative of the leaves on the tree. More specifically, an OID is a string of numbers readable only to the MIB.

What does an SNMP OID look like?

Here's an example: 1.3.6.1.4.1.2681.1.2.102

OIDs are crucial in the assembly of SNMP messages. An SNMP OID functions as an address that identifies the location of a specific element within the entire SNMP network. The translation of OIDs allows the SNMP manager to determine values for these objects. The MIB assigns readable labels to each OID, which allows the manager to interpret and assemble SNMP messages. Without the OID, the message cannot be translated into a form that is readable to humans.

When the SNMP manager requests the value of any object, it assembles a message with the OID, which is sent to the MIB for decoding. If the OID is listed within the MIB at that particular management station, a message is sent back to the manager including the value requested for that particular OID.

Objects Not Listed in the MIB Cannot Be Monitored

If an object does not have an OID within a MIB, your SNMP manager cannot interpret it. For example, if an SNMP RTU has a built-in component to monitor battery charge levels, but the battery charge sensor does not have an OID listed in the MIB file, the RTU will be unable to send and receive traps that contain battery-charge-level data.

While each SNMP OID is unique, the first several pieces of each OID are almost always the same. These upper location levels are defined by a series of standard reference within the MIB. These series are called RFCs, or Requests for Comments. The RFCs that define SNMP OIDs are part of a larger group of RFC documents that define the Internet as a whole. Individual vendors create their own MIBs that only include the OIDs associated specifically with their device.

Related Topics:
SNMP Trap
SNMP Trap Basics
Using SNMP Traps in a Network Management System
SNMP MIB
In-Depth Look at SNMP MIBs

Related Products:

T/Mon NOC

T/Mon SLIM

T/Mon SNMP Trap Processor Software Module

T/Mon SNMP Responder Software Module

To see additional information related to SNMP Management , please visit the SNMP Management page.

Mac Smith

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