Managing Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) devices can be challenging without the right tools. This is where MIB (Management Information Base) browsers come into play. MIB browsers allow network administrators to easily monitor, configure and troubleshoot SNMP-enabled devices.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
- What is SNMP and how do MIBs work?
- The key benefits of using a MIB browser
- An overview of 10 top MIB browser tools
- Factors to consider when selecting a MIB browser
- Best practices for utilizing MIB browsers effectively
Equipped with this information, you will be able to confidently choose and utilize the ideal MIB browser for your network environment.
What Are SNMP and MIBs?
Let‘s start with a quick overview of these fundamental concepts:
What is SNMP?
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a standard protocol for monitoring network-attached devices and equipment. It collects and exchanges management and configuration data between SNMP managers and agents.
Most network devices like routers, switches, servers, printers and more support SNMP. This allows them to be monitored and managed remotely using SNMP management software.
What are MIBs?
MIB stands for Management Information Base. MIBs are database-like text files that describe the attributes of SNMP-enabled devices including:
- Device type and model
- Operating system
- Network interfaces
- Running services and processes
- Performance metrics
In other words, MIBs act like a dictionary, translating raw SNMP data into human-readable information. They allow SNMP managers to "speak the language" of managed devices.
Most network hardware comes with a set of vendor-specific MIBs. But there are also many standard public MIBs defined by organizations like the IETF.
Why Use a MIB Browser?
So why exactly should you use a dedicated MIB browser tool? What can these tools do that alternatives like basic SNMP managers cannot?
Here are some of the key capabilities and benefits MIB browser tools provide:
Query and Display MIB Data
The core function of MIB browsers is turning raw MIB object identifiers (OIDs) into friendly descriptive names. The tool handles walking through SNMP device MIB trees and resolving data labels and formats.
For instance, an OID string like ".1.3.6.1.2.1.2.2.1.10.1" could translate to something understandable like "Ethernet Interface 1 Rx/Tx Bytes".
MIB browsers allow interactively exploring unfamiliar MIB structures without needing definitions upfront. You can walk MIB trees to reveal available OIDs, drilling down until finding info you need.
Manage MIB Repositories
Good MIB browsers centralize repositories containing thousands of public and customized MIB definitions. This provides context and human-readable labels for any obscure OIDs encountered.
Edit Variables in Real-time
MIB browsers support SNMP SET operations, allowing editing MIB variables in real-time to reconfigure devices. This can be easier than changing configs manually.
Analyze Trends Visually
Graphing and charting capabilities let you easily spot performance trends and anomalies. Some browsers even correlate multiple data sets for identifying broader issues.
Dispatch Alarms and Alerts
Monitoring MIBs over time with a browser can trigger alerts for defined fault conditions. This enables proactive fixes before problems impact users.
Now that we‘ve covered the value MIB browsers provide, let‘s explore some top software options available…
Top 10 MIB Browser Tools
Based on capabilities, flexibility and ease of use, here are 10 excellent MIB browsers for managing SNMP devices:
1. SolarWinds MIB Browser
SolarWinds offers a full-featured MIB browser as part of its wider Engineer‘s Toolset. Key highlights include:
- Centralized MIB compilation with over 1 million definitions
- Custom polling intervals from 1 second to 1 hour
- Trend analysis charts for visualizing interface data
- Threshold-based alerts for SNMP Traps and syslog
SolarWinds MIB browser seamlessly integrates monitoring and analysis functions with the rest of its toolset – providing efficient unified SNMP management.
Pricing: Free trial. Paid licenses start at $1,895 (includes suite of 60+ tools)
2. ManageEngine MIB Browser Free Tool
As its name suggests, ManageEngine delivers a completely free MIB browser. It simplifies browsing MIB trees, running GET/SET requests, and inspecting SNMP data.
Benefits of this zero-cost option include:
- Multiplatform support for Windows and Linux
- Drag-and-drop widgets for building custom dashboards
- Email/SMS alerts for threshold-based events
For small networks, ManageEngine‘s is a great free alternative to expand basic SNMP software.
Pricing: 100% Free
3. Paessler PRTG MIB Importer
Paessler‘s PRTG Network Monitor platform features an integrated MIB Importer add-on. It focuses specifically on translating device MIBs into monitoring configurations.
Useful features include:
- Bulk importing of multiple MIB and trap definitions
- Auto-detection of included OIDs per imported MIB
- Preconfigured sensors based extracted MIB data sets
- Support for all PRTG monitoring and alerting functions
For leveraging MIB data in broader network analytics, PRTG integration is a major plus.
Pricing: Free trial. Commercial licenses from $1,600 per year
4. iReasoning MIB Browser
iReasoning markets their browser tool for development and testing scenarios. But it works equally well for generic MIB management.
Noteworthy aspects include:
- Convert MIBs into Java code (and vice versa)
- Emulate agents for testing manager integrations
- Scriptable via Java API for automation
- Advanced SNMPv3 security algorithms
Overall iReasoning strikes a solid balance of usability and advanced/expert-level controls.
Pricing: Free "Community Edition". $990 per year for full "Enterprise Edition"
5. WhatsUp Gold MIB Browser
WhatsUp Gold from Progress includes reputable SNMP monitoring with integrated MIB browsing utilities:
- Layer 2/3 network mapping based on MIB discovery data
- Multi-port graphs showing utilization metrics
- Real-time performance dashboard for topology overview
- Customizable threshold alerts by device or interface
Serious benefits come from extensively utilizing parsed MIB info within WhatsUp‘s broader capabilities.
Pricing: Free trial. Tiered annual licenses from $2,970 per year
6. SNMP MIB Browser
For ultra-simple browsing, this aptly-named free tool hits the spot. It forgoes bells & whistles to deliver lean, focused MIB management.
At under 2MB, the portable Java application supports fundamentals like:
- Fetch/walk MIB tree hierarchy
- Run basic GET/ SET commands
- SaveMIB database files
- Supports v1, v2c and v3
When combined with larger frameworks (like Zabbix) this browser shines for ad-hoc troubleshooting or Exploring unfamiliar MIB structures.
Pricing: 100% Free
7. Castle Rock SNMPc MIB Browser
Castle Rock positions its SNMPc software for developer-oriented use cases. But don‘t let that limit its admin/IT potential!
It flexibly handles tasks like:
- Building custom queries through SNMP
- Crafting complex filters on returned OID data
- Generating detailed change logs
- Extending functionality via Javascript
For advanced monitoring that leverages scripting, SNMPc Enterprise proves quite customizable.
Pricing: Free "Standard" edition. "Enterprise" edition $995 per server
8. Scolia MIB Explorer
Developed by Bay Network Management, Scolia Explorer makes MIB tracing impressively visual. Dynamic node graphs map relationships between MIB tree entries as you interactively navigate. Further helpful features include:
- Graphically highlight critical nodes
- Apply custom icons/styles to nodes
- Reusable filters for signal/noise reduction
Scolia‘s graphics set it apart from tabular approaches of other browsers. Its workflow stands out when diagramming unknown MIB structures.
Pricing: Free limited trial. Licensed per administrator from $350
9. Cacti MIB-based Graph Templates
While better known for RRD-based network graphs, Cacti also incorporates MIB retrieval capabilities:
- 100% open source platform
- Convert MIB definitions into templated graphs
- Mix & match templated and custom graphs
- Retain all core Cacti functionality
For organizations already using Cacti software, its MIB components help expand monitoring scope.
Pricing: 100% Free & Open Source
10. NetsSaint MIB Utilities
The open-source NetsSaint monitoring platform contains MIB tapping abilities like:
- Command line MIB loading/parsing
- Generate configuration templates from MIBs
- Supports custom checks using SNMP
- Integrate with wider event handling
While not the most intuitive browser itself, NetsSaint integration makes great use of parsed MIB data.
Pricing: 100% Free & Open Source
How to Select the Right MIB Browser
With so many good MIB browsers available, how do you choose the best fit?
Here are key criteria to consider:
Your Specific Environment
Consider factors like how many devices you‘re managing, diversity of hardware brands, networking complexity, rate of changes etc. Scalability needs also play a role.
Are you already using network platforms like WhatsUp Gold or PRTG? Leverage their specialized integration!
Monitoring Use Cases
Will this primarily troubleshoot intermittent issues? Or provide long-term performance data? Alerting needs?
Match browser capabilities accordingly (e.g. reporting, visualization, automation…)
User Skill Level
Are you an SNMP expert seeking programmatic interfaces? Or junior technician needing simplicity?
Try striking the right balance of power vs ease-of-use.
Budget Availability
Luckily some very capable options exist at no cost like ManageEngine‘s Free MIB Browser. But evaluate whether commercial tools like SolarWinds bring extra value to justify their licensing.
Compatibility Needs
If cross-platform support is required, Java-based browsers offer the most portability. Browsers relying on native code may lock you into specific OSes.
Tips for Utilizing Your MIB Browser
Once you‘ve chosen a browser, use these tips to maximize benefits:
Familiarize Yourself
Get comfortable with functionality before critical troubleshooting scenarios. Experiment to build knowledge.
Plan Polling Settings
Balance data freshness vs. traffic overhead. Remember: polling too aggressively can impact production performance!
Enable Alerting Thoughtfully
Set notification thresholds wisely. Triggering too frequently creates alert fatigue undermining value.
Visually Spot Trends
Leverage historical graphs/charts to trace developing issues proactively. Display contextual metrics together.
Extend Value With Scripting
For advanced users, tap programmatic interfaces to parse MIB data into custom apps/dashboards/workflows.
Regularly Discover New MIBs
Scan devices routinely to help stay on top of added hardware and any revised vendor MIB structures.
Conclusion:
Hopefully this guide provided you a comprehensive introduction into MIB browser tools and how they can ease SNMP management.
Key takeaways include:
- MIB browsers put friendly faces on cryptic SNMP data
- Top benefits range from troubleshooting to performance dashboards
- Leading options include Solarwinds, PRTG, WhatsUp Gold and more
- Match critical criteria like use cases, user skills and budget
- Follow best practices around alerts, security and visualizing data
With the right browser choice, you will gain significant visibility into the health and operations of SNMP devices. This allows more proactive and less stressful network administration.
What has your experience been with MIB browsers in the past? Feel free to share any lessons learned or top tips!
