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Introduction
SNMP Management
In addition to the HTTP and the CLI interfaces, you can also manage and configure an AP using the Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP). Note that this requires an SNMP manager program, like HP Openview or Castlerock’s
SNMPc.
The AP supports several Management Information Base (MIB) files that describe the parameters that can be viewed
and/or configured over SNMP:
– MIB-II (RFC 1213)
– Bridge MIB (RFC 1493)
– Ethernet-like MIB (RFC 1643)
– 802.11 MIB
– ORiNOCO Enterprise MIB
Proxim provides these MIB files on the CD included with each Access Point. You need to compile one or more of the
above MIBs into your SNMP program’s database before you can manage an Access Point using SNMP. Refer to the
documentation that came with your SNMP manager for instructions on how to compile MIBs.
The Enterprise MIB defines the read and read-write objects that can be viewed or configured using SNMP. These
objects correspond to most of the settings and statistics that are available with the other management interfaces. Refer
to the Enterprise MIB for more information; the MIB can be opened with any text editor, such as Microsoft Word,
Notepad, or WordPad.
SNMPv3 Secure Management
SNMPv3 is one of two available secure management options on the AP; the other secure management option is
HTTPS (HTTP connection over Secure Socket Layer). SNMPv3 is based on the existing SNMP framework, but
addresses security requirements for device and network management.
The security threats addressed by Secure Management are:
• Modification of information: An entity could alter an in-transit message generated by an authorized entity in such a
way as to effect unauthorized management operations, including the setting of object values. The essence of this
threat is that an unauthorized entity could change any management parameter, including those related to
configuration, operations, and accounting
• Masquerade: Management operations that are not authorized for some entity may be attempted by that entity by
assuming the identity of an authorized entity.
• Message stream modification: SNMP is designed to operate over a connectionless transport protocol. There is a
threat that SNMP messages could be reordered, delayed, or replayed (duplicated) to effect unauthorized
management operations. For example, a message to reboot a device could be copied and replayed later.
• Disclosure: An entity could observe exchanges between a manager and an agent and thereby learns the values of
managed objects and learn of notifiable events. For example, the observation of a set command that changes
passwords would enable an attacker to learn the new passwords.
To address the security threats listed above, SNMPv3 provides the following when secure management is enabled:
• Authentication: Provides data integrity and data origin authentication.
• Privacy (a.k.a Encryption): Protects against disclosure of message payload.
• Access Control: Controls and authorizes access to managed objects
The default SNMPv3 username is administrator, with SHA authentication, and DES privacy protocol.
NOTE
The remainder of this guide describes how to configure an AP using the HTTP Web interface or the CLI
interface. For information on how to manage devices using SNMP, refer to the documentation that came with
your SNMP program. Also, refer to the MIB files for information on the parameters available via SNMP.