SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an industry standard network management protocol for managing wide area and local area networks. It is easy to use, cost-effective, and is built into most networking devices. One of SNMP’s best assets is its use of in-band management, yet, this is also its biggest weakness.
Remote Site Management Solutions
Address SNMP Weakness
Out-of-Band remote site management solutions provide the NOC with alternative paths to remote managed devices independent of the LAN/WAN
OverviewSNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an is often dependent upon placing a technician on-site industry standard network management protocol for as quickly as possible. Telnet is also used with a SNMP managing wide area and local area networks. It is easy workstation. However, Telnet packets are also unable to use, cost-e? ective, and is built into most networking to ? ow between the management workstation and devices. One of SNMP's best assets is its use of in-band managed devices during network disruptions. management, yet, this is also its biggest weakness. The solutionThe problem is that SNMP tra? c goes over the same Out-of-Band remote site management solutions network path as data. SNMP uses the same LAN and WAN provide the NOC with alternative paths to remote routers, hubs, communications links, and DSU/CSUs. managed devices independent of the LAN/WAN. They While the network is operating, SNMP packets ? ow consist of high bandwidth connectivity such as Ethernet, between the managed devices and the management GSM, CDMA, EDGE cellular and/or an on-board ADSL workstation or Remote Monitor (RMON). SNMP TRAPs, connectivity. These solutions provide a direct route to SETs, and GETs move with the same priority as regular the management port of each device for troubleshooting, tra? c on the LAN/WAN, and provide management recon? guration, and rebooting. These alternative routes information to the workstation or commands to the are not dependent upon Telnet or SNMP packets moving controlled devices. However, when the network goes through the LAN/WAN system.down or is severely disrupted, SNMP tra? c has no way to get between the managed device and the management Out-of-band management has its own potential workstation. When a remotely located network element security downside. Dial-up access to a port on a network such as a router or switch fails, it is often impossible element creates a "back door" that could be exposed for a network technician to get fast, e? ective access to to intruders. One way that organizations protect the device via in-band communications. So, time-to-? x tthheemmsseellvveess aaggaaiinnsstt bbaacckk--ddoooorr eexxppoossuurree iiss tthhrroouugghh Remote Site Management Solutions Address SNMP Weakness
RADIUS, security tokens and other authentication Choosing the right remote site monitoring tools used for securing dial-up access to solution for SNMP managemententerprise systems. However, you can't get When choosing a remote site monitoring solution, access to the RADIUS server database when the you should acknowledge that there will be times Remote site network is down. when you use it in the middle of a network outage. monitoring Therefore, choosing a solution that is easy to use is devices Having a remote site monitoring device critical. You should require intuitive commands and provide an between the managed network elements and user-named ports to make it fast and easy to use a independent, the PSTN can provide the authentication and device you may not have managed for some time. out-of-band encryption capabilities necessary to protect Password security is necessary for dial-in, and VPN path to control the network, and apply secure out-of-band security for ADSL connectivity is a must. If you have management that can be utilized during a on-site technicians, multiple controlling input ports remote network failure. This also eliminates security are required. Otherwise, there will be re-wiring at devices. vulnerabilities associated with SNMP, as it each technician visit for local control. Other common encrypts communications between the managed issues such as economy, scalability, and additional elements and the NMS as it traverses the PSTN. features are also important. The ability to switch power is a feature that may remove the need for on-How does terminal server access site visits for power-cycling or rebooting equipment. compare? All the features discussed... [download for more]
