ifNumber
Module: IF-MIB
OID (symbolic): IF-MIB::ifNumber
OID (numeric): 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.1
Node type: OBJECT-TYPE
Type: Integer32
Access: read-only
Description:
The number of network interfaces (regardless of their current state) present on this system.
What is ifNumber?
This read-only object indicates the total number of network interfaces on the device, regardless of whether they are currently active or idle. It provides a quick inventory count of all ports and logical interfaces present in the system. An operator uses this to verify the device configuration and understand the maximum capacity for assigning traffic policies or monitoring.
Examples
Walk all instances (SNMPv2c):
snmpwalk -v2c -c public <target> 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.1 snmpwalk -v2c -c public <target> IF-MIB::ifNumber
Get a specific instance (index 1):
snmpget -v2c -c public <target> 1.3.6.1.2.1.2.1.1 snmpget -v2c -c public <target> IF-MIB::ifNumber.1
How to Use in IPNetwork Monitor
Select a device implementing IF-MIB as the target host to create a monitor — the SNMP service should be up and running on it. Click New Monitor, then check SNMP Custom on the Favorites tab, click Next, and confirm the host. On the next page, click Select... to open the built-in SNMP MIB Browser and locate ifNumber under the interfaces branch of IF-MIB, then select it and click OK. It reports the total number of network interfaces present on the device, regardless of their current operational state. On the monitor's Main parameters page you can set the target's SNMP port (default 161), credentials, polling interval, and other settings — see the SNMP Monitor help for details. On the State conditions and Alerting tabs, configure when the monitor should change state and trigger an alert; since this is an Integer32-type OID, Value bounds is the most useful condition here — trigger an alert if the interface count changes unexpectedly, which can indicate a module was added, removed, or failed to initialize. Click Finish to create the monitor; you can adjust any parameter later.