Installing and Monitoring SUSE 11 with SNMP

Keeping IT systems running smoothly requires constant monitoring, and that’s where Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) comes in.

Whether you’re managing a single server or an entire network, SNMP provides real-time insights into system performance, helping you catch issues before they escalate.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install and configure SNMP on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 11, ensuring seamless monitoring and optimal system health.

SNMP Versions and Monitoring Methods

SNMP supports multiple versions, but the most commonly used are:

• SNMPv2c: Uses community strings for authentication (less secure but widely used).
• SNMPv3: Provides authentication and encryption for secure monitoring.

Recommendation: SNMPv3 is preferred for security reasons, but SNMPv2c is easier to set up and sufficient for many environments.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure the following:

• A system running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11
• Root privileges
• Internet access or a way to transfer SNMP packages

Verify Your SUSE Version

Run the following command to check your system version:

cat /etc/os-release

Example Output:

NAME="SUSE Linux Enterprise Server"
VERSION="11"
VERSION_ID="11"

Step 1: Install SNMP Packages

To install SNMP on SUSE 11, use the following command:

zypper refresh
zypper install net-snmp net-snmp-utils

Step 2: Configure SNMP

After installation, configure SNMP to allow monitoring.

Edit the SNMP configuration file:

nano /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf

Modify or add the following lines based on your SNMP version:

For SNMPv2c:

rocommunity public  default    # Read-only access with community string 'public'
rwcommunity private 127.0.0.1  # Read-write access only for localhost

For SNMPv3 (More Secure):

createUser monitoringUser SHA mysecurepassword AES myencryptionkey
rouser monitoringUser authPriv

Save and exit (Press CTRL + X, then Y, then Enter).

Step 3: Start and Enable SNMP Service

Run the following commands to start SNMP and enable it at boot:

service snmpd start
chkconfig snmpd on

Verify the service is running:

service snmpd status

Step 4: Configure SUSE Firewall (if enabled)

If the firewall is active, allow SNMP traffic on port 161:

iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 161 -j ACCEPT
iptables-save > /etc/sysconfig/iptables

For firewalld (if installed):

firewall-cmd --add-port=161/udp --permanent
firewall-cmd --reload

Step 5: Test SNMP Configuration

To verify SNMP is working, run the following command:

For SNMPv2c:

snmpwalk -v2c -c public localhost system

For SNMPv3:

snmpwalk -v3 -u monitoringUser -A mysecurepassword -X myencryptionkey -l authPriv localhost system

Step 6: Configure Nagios to Monitor SUSE 11 with SNMP

Now that you have SNMP installed and configured on your SUSE 11 system, it’s time to integrate it with Nagios for real-time monitoring.

From your Nagios XI web interface home page, click on Run a Wizard.

Then, scroll until you find the Linux SNMP wizard.

Then enter the IP address of your SUSE 11 machine. Leave the SNMP version at 2c and the SNMP Port at 161. The SNMP Community is where you will enter the community string you created in the conf file in Step 2.

Now, you can change any settings you need and choose which metrics you would like to monitor.

Troubleshooting Tips

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have successfully installed and configured SNMP on SUSE 11 and integrated it with Nagios. Now, you can monitor uptime, CPU load, and other system metrics in real-time! For additional support, visit the Nagios Support Forum or the Nagios Knowledgebase.