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
ITProTV helps you make your heavy networking skills–and others–even heavier. Get a 7-day free trial and 30% savings off of any plan you choose! Visit ITPro.TV/packetpushers and use promo code PACKETPUSHERS at checkout.
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

Om Podcasten

Heavy Networking is an unabashedly nerdy dive into all things networking. Described by one listener as "verbal white papers," the weekly episodes feature network engineers, industry experts, and vendors sharing useful information to keep your professional knowledge sharp and your career growing. Hosts Greg Ferro, Ethan Banks and Drew Conry-Murray cut through the marketing spin to explore what works—and what doesn't—in networking today, while keeping an eye on what's ahead for the industry. On air since 2010, Heavy Networking is the flagship show of the Packet Pushers podcast network.