March 25, 2025

How to Install and Configure SNMP on Apple Silicon macOS and Monitor with Nagios XI

Jack Brisben

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a protocol used to monitor network devices and servers. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install, configure, and test SNMP on macOS running Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) and then integrate it with Nagios XI for monitoring.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the setup, ensure you have the following:

A running instance of Nagios XI (latest version recommended).
A macOS system (macOS 11 Big Sur or later) with administrator privileges.
SNMP installed and configured on macOS.
Internet connectivity for API communication between Nagios XI and the Mac.

Why Monitor macOS with SNMP?

Monitoring your Mac using SNMP helps you:

Detect Performance Issues Proactively – Identify CPU, memory, disk, or network bottlenecks before they disrupt operations.
Ensure Security – Track unauthorized access or abnormal system behaviors.
Monitor System Health – Keep an eye on temperature, battery levels, and uptime.
Track Resource Usage – Monitor CPU, memory, and disk usage to optimize performance.

Nagios XI provides an easy-to-use interface to keep your system under control.

Key Metrics to Monitor

Nagios XI offers various monitoring capabilities for macOS using SNMP. Below are key metrics to track:

System Metrics

CPU Usage – Monitor CPU utilization to ensure processes are not overloading the system.
Memory Usage – Track memory usage to prevent slowdowns or crashes.
Disk Space – Monitor available storage to avoid running out of space.

Network Metrics

Network Interfaces – Track Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection performance.
Network Traffic – Measure data sent and received to monitor bandwidth usage.

System Health Metrics

Battery Health (for laptops) – Monitor battery charge percentage and cycles.
Temperature – Track system temperature to prevent overheating.

Error Tracking

High CPU or Memory Usage – Detect and alert on resource-intensive processes.
Disk Space Running Low – Receive alerts when storage space is critically low.

Installation and Setup

Step 1: Install Homebrew (if not already installed)

Homebrew is a package manager for macOS. If it’s not installed, run the following command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Note: On Apple Silicon Macs, Homebrew installs in /opt/homebrew/ instead of /usr/local/. Adjust paths accordingly.

Step 2: Install SNMP on macOS

Open Terminal and install SNMP using Homebrew:

brew install net-snmp

Step 3: Configure SNMP

Edit the SNMP configuration file:

sudo nano /opt/homebrew/etc/snmp/snmpd.conf

Modify or add the following lines:

com2sec readonly  default         public
group   MyROGroup v1              readonly
view    all    included   .1
access  MyROGroup ""      any       noauth    exact  all    none   none

Save the file (CTRL+X, then Y, then Enter).

Step 4: Start and Verify SNMP

Run the following command to start the SNMP service:

sudo snmpd

To check if SNMP is working correctly, use:

snmpwalk -v 2c -c public localhost

This should return a list of SNMP data from your Mac.

Step 5: Configure Nagios XI

5.1 Add macOS to Nagios XI

Log into Nagios XI.
Navigate to Configuration Wizards.

Configuration Wizards 1 — Configuration Wizards

Select SNMP Wizard.

Enter the SNMP Community String (e.g., public).
Enter the Mac’s IP address.
Select SNMP Version 2c.

Choose metrics such as CPU, memory, disk, and network performance.
Set alert thresholds for critical events (e.g., high CPU usage or low disk space).
Click Save and Apply.

5.2 Configure Alerts and Notifications

Navigate to Notifications in Nagios XI.
Set threshold values for system metrics (e.g., CPU or disk usage limits).
Configure notification settings (email, SMS, webhook alerts).

5.3 Analyze and Optimize

Use Nagios XI Reports to review system performance trends.
Optimize system configurations based on collected data.

Best Practices for SNMP Monitoring on macOS

Monitor Battery Health – Track charge cycles for longevity (MacBook users).
Set Proactive Alerts – Configure immediate alerts for critical metrics.
Regularly Monitor Resources – Keep an eye on CPU, memory, and disk usage.
Ensure System Security – Detect unauthorized access attempts.
Automate Corrective Actions – Use automation tools like AppleScripts to resolve issues automatically.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully installed and configured SNMP on Apple Silicon macOS and integrated it with Nagios XI for real-time monitoring. Your Nagios monitoring server can now collect essential system metrics, track performance trends, and alert you to potential issues before they become critical.

For further customization, consider adjusting SNMP configurations to meet your organization’s specific monitoring requirements. Regularly reviewing Nagios XI reports and refining alert thresholds will help maintain system stability and performance.

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