NAME
SNMP - The Perl5 'SNMP' Extension Module v3.0.0b1 for the UCD SNMPv3 Library
SYNOPSIS
use SNMP;
$sess = new SNMP::Session(...);
$sess->get();
...
DESCRIPTION
The basic operations of the SNMP protocol are provided by this module through an object oriented interface for modularity and ease of use. The primary class is SNMP::Session which encapsulates the persistent aspects of a connection between the management application and the managed agent. Internally the class is implemented as a blessed hash reference. This class supplies 'get', 'getnext', 'set', 'fget', and 'fgetnext' method calls. The methods take a variety of input argument formats and support both syncronous and asyncronous operation through a polymorphic API (i.e., method behaviour varies dependent on args passed - see below).
SNMP::Session
$sess = new SNMP::Session(DestHost => 'host', ...)
The following arguments may be passed to new as a hash.
- DestHost
-
default 'localhost', hostname or ip addr of SNMP agent
- Community
-
default 'public', SNMP community string (used for both R/W)
- Version
-
default '1', [2 (same as 2c), 2c, 3]
- RemotePort
-
default '161', allow remote UDP port to be overriden
- Timeout
-
default '1000000', micro-seconds before retry
- Retries
-
default '5', retries before failure
- RetryNoSuch
-
default '0', if enabled NOSUCH errors in 'get' pdus will be repaired, removing the varbind in error, and resent - undef will be returned for all NOSUCH varbinds, when set to '0' this feature is disabled and the entire get request will fail on any NOSUCH error (applies to v1 only)
- SecName
-
default 'initial', security name (v3)
- SecLevel
-
default 'noAuthNoPriv', security level [noAuthNoPriv, authNoPriv, authPriv] (v3)
- SecEngineId
-
default <none>, security engineID, will be probed if not supplied (v3)
- ContextEngineId
-
default <SecEngineId>, context engineID, will be probed if not supplied (v3)
- Context
-
default '', context name (v3)
- AuthProto
-
default 'MD5', authentication protocol [MD5, SHA] (v3)
- AuthPass
-
default <none>, authentication passphrase
- PrivProto
-
default 'DES', privacy protocol [DES] (v3)
- PrivPass
-
default <none>, privacy passphrase (v3)
- VarFormats
-
default 'undef', used by 'fget[next]', holds an hash reference of output value formatters, (e.g., {<obj> => <sub-ref>, ... }, <obj> must match the <obj> and format used in the get operation. A special <obj>, '*', may be used to apply all <obj>s, the supplied sub is called to translate the value to a new format. The sub is called passing the Varbind as the arg
- TypeFormats
-
default 'undef', used by 'fget[next]', holds an hash reference of output value formatters, (e.g., {<type> => <sub-ref>, ... }, the supplied sub is called to translate the value to a new format, unless a VarFormat mathces first (e.g., $sess->{TypeFormats}{INTEGER} = \&mapEnum(); although this can be done more efficiently by enabling $SNMP::use_enums or session creation param 'UseEnums')
- UseLongNames
-
defaults to the value of SNMP::use_long_names at time of session creation. set to non-zero to have <tags> for 'getnext' methods generated preferring longer Mib name convention (e.g., system.sysDescr vs just sysDescr)
- UseSprintValue
-
defaults to the value of SNMP::use_sprint_value at time of session creation. set to non-zero to have return values for 'get' and 'getnext' methods formatted with the libraries sprint_value function. This will result in certain data types being returned in non-canonical format Note: values returned with this option set may not be appropriate for 'set' operations (see discussion of value formats in <vars> description section)
- UseEnums
-
defaults to the value of SNMP::use_enums at time of session creation. set to non-zero to have integer return values converted to enumeration identifiers if possible, these values will also be acceptable when supplied to 'set' operations
- ErrorStr
-
read-only, holds the error message assoc. w/ last request
- ErrorNum
-
read-only, holds the snmp_err or staus of last request
- ErrorInd
-
read-only, holds the snmp_err_index when appropriate
Private variables:
- DestAddr
-
internal field used to hold the translated DestHost field
- SessPtr
-
internal field used to cache a created session structure
SNMP::Session methods
- $sess->update(<fields>)
-
Updates the SNMP::Session object with the values fields passed in as a hash list (similar to new(<fields>)) (WARNING! not fully implemented)
- $sess->get(<vars> [,<callback>])
-
do SNMP GET, multiple <vars> formats accepted. for syncronous operation <vars> will be updated with value(s) and type(s) and will also return retrieved value(s). If <callback> supplied method will operate asyncronously
- $sess->fget(<vars> [,<callback>])
-
do SNMP GET like 'get' and format the values according the handlers specified in $sess->{VarFormats} and $sess->{TypeFormats}
- $sess->getnext(<vars> [,<callback>])
-
do SNMP GETNEXT, multiple <vars> formats accepted, returns retrieved value(s), <vars> passed as arguments are updated to indicate next lexicographical <obj>,<iid>,<val>, and <type>
Note: simple string <vars>,(e.g., 'sysDescr.0') form is not updated. If <callback> supplied method will operate asyncronously
- $sess->fgetnext(<vars> [,<callback>])
-
do SNMP GETNEXT like getnext and format the values according the handlers specified in $sess->{VarFormats} and $sess->{TypeFormats}
- $sess->set(<vars> [,<callback>])
-
do SNMP SET, multiple <vars> formats accepted. the value field in all <vars> formats must be in a canonical format (i.e., well known format) to ensure unambiguous translation to SNMP MIB data value (see discussion of canonical value format <vars> description section), returns snmp_errno. If <callback> supplied method will operate asyncronously
- $sess->getbulk(<non-repeaters>, <max-repeaters>, <vars>)
-
* Not Implemented *
SNMP::TrapSession
$sess = new SNMP::Session(DestHost => 'host', ...)
supports all applicable fields from SNMP::Session (see above)
SNMP::TrapSession methods
- $sess->trap(enterprise, agent, generic, specific, uptime, <vars>)
-
$sess->trap(enterprise=>'.1.3.6.1.4.1.2021', # or 'ucdavis' [default] agent => '127.0.0.1', # or 'localhost',[dflt 1st intf on host] generic => specific, # can be omitted if 'specific' supplied specific => 5, # can be omitted if 'generic' supplied uptime => 1234, # dflt to localhost uptime (0 on win32) [[ifIndex, 1, 1],[sysLocation, 0, "here"]]); # optional vars # always last
- trap(srcParty, dstParty, oid, uptime, <vars>) - v2 format - * Not Implemented *
-
$sess->trap(srcParty => party1, dstParty => party2, oid => 'snmpRisingAlarm', uptime => 1234, [[ifIndex, 1, 1],[sysLocation, 0, "here"]]); # optional vars # always last
Acceptable variable formats:
<vars> may be one of the following forms:
- SNMP::VarList
-
represents an array of MIB objects to get or set, implemented as a blessed reference to an array of SNMP::Varbinds, (e.g., [<varbind1>, <varbind2>, ...])
- SNMP::Varbind
-
represents a single MIB object to get or set, implemented as a blessed reference to a 4 element array; [<obj>, <iid>, <val>, <type>].
- <obj>
-
one of the following forms:
- <iid>
-
the dotted-decimal, instance identifier. for scalar MIB objects use '0'
- <val>
-
the SNMP data value retrieved from or being set to the agents MIB. for (f)get(next) operations <val> may have a variety of formats as determined by session and package settings. However for set operations the <val> format must be canonical to ensure unambiguous translation. The canonical forms are as follows:
- OBJECTID
-
dotted-decimal (e.g., .1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1)
- OCTETSTR
-
perl scalar containing octets
- INTEGER
-
decimal signed integer (or enum)
- NETADDR
-
dotted-decimal
- IPADDR
-
dotted-decimal
- COUNTER
-
decimal unsigned integer
- COUNTER64
-
decimal unsigned integer
- GAUGE
-
decimal unsigned integer
- UINTEGER
-
decimal unsigned integer
- TICKS
-
decimal unsigned integer
- OPAQUE
-
perl scalar containing octets
- NULL
-
perl scalar containing nothing
- <type>
-
SNMP data type (see list above), this field is populated by 'get' and 'getnext' operations. In some cases the programmer needs to populate this field when passing to a 'set' operation. this field need not be supplied when the attribute indicated by <tag> is already described by loaded Mib modules. for 'set's, if a numeric OID is used and the object is not currently in the loaded Mib, the <type> field must be supplied
- simple string
-
light weight form of <var> used to 'set' or 'get' a single attribute without constructing an SNMP::Varbind. stored in a perl scalar, has the form '<tag>.<iid>', (e.g., 'sysDescr.0'). for 'set' operations the value is passed as a second arg. Note: This argument form is not updated in get[next] operations as are the other forms.
Acceptable callback formats
<callback> may be one of the following forms:
callback will be called when response is received or timeout occurs. the last argument passed to callback will be a SNMP::VarList reference. In case of timeout the last argument will be undef.
- &SNMP::MainLoop([<timeout>, [<callback>]])
-
to be used with async SNMP::Session calls. MainLoop must be called after initial async calls so return packets from the agent will not be processed. If no args suplied this function enters an infinite loop so program must be exited in a callback or externally interupted. If <timeout(sic)
SNMP package variables and functions
- $SNMP::VERSION
-
the current version specifier (e.g., 3.0)
- $SNMP::auto_init_mib
-
default '1', set to 0 to disable automatic reading of the MIB upon session creation. set to non-zero to call initMib at session creation which will result in MIB loading according to UCD env. variables (see man mib_api)
- $SNMP::verbose
-
default '0', controls warning/info output of SNMP module, 0 => no output, 1 => enables warning/info output from SNMP module itself (is also controlled by SNMP::debugging - see below)
- $SNMP::use_long_names
-
default '0', set to non-zero to enable the use of longer Mib identifiers. see translateObj. will also influence the formatting of <tag> in varbinds returned from 'getnext' operations. Can be set on a per session basis (UseLongNames)
- $SNMP::use_sprint_value
-
default '0', set to non-zero to enable formatting of response values using the snmp libraries sprint_value function. can also be set on a per session basis (see UseSprintValue) Note: returned values may not be suitable for 'set' operations
- $SNMP::use_enums
-
default '0',set non-zero to return values as enums and allow sets using enums where appropriate. integer data will still be accepted for set operations. can also be set on a per session basis (see UseEnums)
- $SNMP::save_descriptions
-
default '0',set non-zero to have mib parser save attribute descriptions. must be set prior to mib initialization
- $SNMP::debugging
-
default '0', controlls debugging output level within SNMP module and libsnmp
enables 'SNMP::verbose' (see above)
level 1 plus snmp_set_do_debugging(1)
level 2 plus snmp_set_dump_packet(1)
- $SNMP::dump_packet
-
default '0', set [non-]zero to independently set snmp_set_dump_packet()
%SNMP::MIB
a tied hash to access parsed MIB information. After the MIB has been loaded this hash allows access to to the parsed in MIB meta-data(the structure of the MIB (i.e., schema)). The hash returns blessed references to SNMP::MIB::NODE objects which represent a single MIB attribute. The nodes can be fetched with multiple 'key' formats - the leaf name (e.g.,sysDescr) or fully/partially qualified name (e.g., system.sysDescr) or fully qualified numeric OID. The returned node object supports the following fields:
- objectID
-
dotted decimal fully qualified OID
- label
-
leaf textual identifier (e.g., 'sysDescr')
- subID
-
leaf numeric OID component of objectID (e.g., '1')
- moduleID
-
textual identifier for module (e.g., 'RFC1213-MIB')
- parent
-
parent node
- children
-
array reference of children nodes
- nextNode
-
next lexico node (BUG!does not return in lexico order)
- type
-
returns application type (see getType for values)
- access
-
returns ACCESS (ReadOnly, ReadWrite, WriteOnly, NoAccess, Notify, Create)
- status
-
returns STATUS (Mandatory, Optional, Obsolete, Deprecated)
- syntax
-
returns 'textualConvention' if defined else 'type'
- textualConvention
-
returns TEXTUAL-CONVENTION
- units
-
returns UNITS
- hint
-
returns HINT
- enums
-
returns hash ref {tag => num, ...}
- description
-
returns DESCRIPTION ($SNMP::save_descriptions must be set prior to MIB initialization/parsing)
MIB Functions
- &SNMP::setMib(<file>)
-
allows dynamic parsing of the mib and explicit specification of mib file independent of enviroment variables. called with no args acts like initMib, loading MIBs indicated by environment variables (see ucd mib_api docs). passing non-zero second arg forces previous mib to be freed and replaced (Note: second arg not working since freeing previous Mib is more involved than before).
- &SNMP::initMib()
-
calls library init_mib function if Mib not already loaded - does nothing if Mib already loaded. will parse directories and load modules according to environment variables described in UCD documentations. (see man mib_api, MIBDIRS, MIBS, MIBFILE(S), etc.)
- &SNMP::addMibDirs(<dir>,...)
-
calls library add_mibdir for each directory supplied. will cause directory(s) to be added to internal list and made available for searching in subsequent loadModules calls
- &SNMP::addMibFiles(<file>,...)
-
calls library read_mib function. The file(s) supplied will be read and all Mib module definitions contained therein will be added to internal mib tree structure
- &SNMP::loadModules(<mod>,...)
-
calls library read_module function. The module(s) supplied will be searched for in the current mibdirs and and added to internal mib tree structure. Passing special <mod>, 'ALL', will cause all known modules to be loaded.
- &SNMP::unloadModules(<mod>,...)
-
*Not Implemented*
- &SNMP::translateObj(<var>[,arg])
-
will convert a text obj tag to an OID and vice-versa. any iid suffix is retained numerically. default behaviour when converting a numeric OID to text form is to return leaf indentifier only (e.g.,'sysDescr') but when $SNMP::use_long_names is non-zero or a non-zero second arg is supplied will return longer textual identifier. If no Mib is loaded when called and $SNMP::auto_init_mib is enabled then the Mib will be loaded. Will return 'undef' upon failure.
- &SNMP::getType(<var>)
-
return SNMP data type for given textual identifier OBJECTID, OCTETSTR, INTEGER, NETADDR, IPADDR, COUNTER GAUGE, TIMETICKS, OPAQUE, or undef
- &SNMP::mapEnum(<var>)
-
converts integer value to enumertion tag defined in Mib or converts tag to integer depending on input. the function will return the corresponding integer value *or* tag for a given MIB attribute and value. The function will sense which direction to perform the conversion. Various arg formats are supported
Exported SNMP utility functions
Note: utility functions do not support async operation yet.
- &snmp_get()
-
takes args of SNMP::Session::new followed by those of SNMP::Session::get
- &snmp_getnext()
-
takes args of SNMP::Session::new followed by those of SNMP::Session::getnext
- &snmp_set()
-
takes args of SNMP::Session::new followed by those of SNMP::Session::set
- &snmp_trap()
-
takes args of SNMP::TrapSession::new followed by those of SNMP::TrapSession::trap
Trouble Shooting
If problems occur there are number areas to look at to narrow down the possibilities.
The first step should be to test the UCD SNMP installation independently from the Perl5 SNMP interface.
Try running the apps from the UCD SNMP distribution.
Make sure your agent (snmpd) is running and properly configured with read-write access for the community you are using.
Ensure that your MIBs are installed and enviroment variables are set appropriately (see man mib_api)
Be sure to remove old ucd-snmp installations and ensure headers and libraries from old CMU installations are not being used by mistake.
If the problem occurs during compilation/linking check that the snmp library being linked is actually the UCD SNMP library (there have been name conflicts with existing snmp libs).
Also check that the header files are correct and up to date.
Sometimes compiling the UCD SNMP library with 'position-independent-code' enabled is required (HPUX specifically).
If you cannot resolve the problem you can post to comp.lang.perl.modules or email me at gmarzot@nortelnetworks.com and/or ucd-snmp-coders@ucd-snmp.ucdavis.edu.
please give sufficient information to analyze the problem (OS type, versions for OS/Perl/UCD/compiler, complete error output, etc.)
Acknowledments
Many thanks to all those who supplied patches, suggestions and feedback.
Wes Hardaker and the ucd-coders
Dave Perkins
Marcel Wiget
David Blackburn
John Stofell
Gary Hayward
Claire Harrison
Achim Bohnet
Doug Kingston
Jacques Vidrine
Carl Jacobsen
Wayne Marquette
Scott Schumate
Michael Slifcak
Perl5 Porters
Apologies to any/all who's patch/feature/request was not mentioned or included - most likely it was lost when paying work intruded on my fun. Please try again if you do not see a desired feature. This may actually turn out to be a decent package with such excellent help and the fact that I have more time to work on it than in the past.
AUTHOR
bugs, comments, questions to gmarzot@nortelnetworks.com
Copyright
Copyright (c) 1995-1999 G. S. Marzot. All rights reserved.
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.