IPNetwork Monitor enables you to evaluate and track the performance metrics of network routers. A built-in MIB browser lets you choose which parameter to monitor, providing access to all router-supported variables, their current readings, and descriptions from MIBs.

Network routers are networking devices that route data packets between computer networks. Unlike network switches, forwarding rules are user-configurable. Routers can be implemented in both hardware and software.

Routers establish connectivity between networks and frequently implement additional networking capabilities such as firewalls, VPNs, QoS (packet prioritization), network proxies, port forwarding, WiFi access points, and more. As a firewall, a router, particularly an edge router (one directing traffic from an external network to a local one), often acts as a security enforcement mechanism.

Common Router Monitoring Scenarios

Besides collecting overall health statistics from routers, monitoring them reflects core router operations (and maintenance procedures) like:

  • Identifying network bottlenecks and (subsequently) rerouting traffic
  • Verifying ISP availability and, if necessary, changing between multiple ISPs to preserve connectivity
  • Tracking traffic usage (compiling statistics on traffic consumed per user/device)

The specifics of SNMP router monitoring depend on the device’s function and may differ based on its precise role.

List of MIBs Employed for Monitoring Router Devices

  • ARROWPOINT-BRIDGEEXT-MIB: The MIB module for describing ArrowPoint Communications logging features.
  • AIRPORT-BASESTATION-3-MIB: Management information base (SMI v2) for the AirPort and AirPort Extreme Base Station (v3).
  • ALLIEDTELESYN-MIB: Private MIB for AR series Remote Access Routers and Rapier series layer 3 switches.
  • CISCO-CALL-HISTORY-MIB: MIB module for describing and storing router call information for billing purposes.
  • CISCO-CAS-IF-MIB: This MIB manages generic CAS (Channel Associated Signal) or DS0 clear channel interfaces within the router.
  • CISCO-CONFIG-COPY-MIB: This MIB facilitates writing configuration files of an SNMP Agent running Cisco’s IOS in various ways: to and from the network, copying running configurations to startup configurations and vice-versa, and copying configurations (running or startup) to and from the local IOS file system.
  • CISCO-FABRIC-C12K-MIB: The Cisco Fabric MIB module for the c12000 router series. It manages and tracks c12000 fabric entities and related configuration, status, and statistics.
  • CISCO-FABRIC-HFR-MIB: The Cisco Huge Fast Router/Switch Fabric MIB module. It is used for managing and tracking Huge Fast Router fabric components and/or related configuration, state, and statistical data.
  • CISCO-HSRP-EXT-MIB: An extension MIB module for CISCO-HSRP-MIB (based on RFC2281). It extends CISCO-HSRP-MIB, which defines Cisco’s proprietary Hot Standby Routing Protocol (HSRP), by adding features such as assigning secondary HSRP IP addresses and modifying an HSRP Group’s priority by tracking interface operational status.
  • CISCO-HSRP-MIB: This MIB module allows monitoring and configuring Cisco IOS’s proprietary Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), as defined in RFC2281.
  • CISCO-IMAGE-MIB: The Router image MIB which details the image’s capabilities and attributes.
  • CISCO-ISDN-MIB: MIB module describing the status of ISDN interfaces on routers.
  • CISCO-ISDNU-IF-MIB: This MIB manages the ISDN BRI integrated U Interface in the router.
  • CISCO-PORT-QOS-MIB: This MIB module manages Cisco’s per-port rate limiting and traffic shaping on L3 switch/router platforms.
  • CISCO-PPPOE-MIB: This MIB module allows using SNMP to monitor the number of PPPoE sessions on permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) and on the router in real-time.
  • CISCO-VOICE-ANALOG-IF-MIB: Analog Voice Interface MIB module. This MIB manages E&M, FXO, and FXS interfaces on the router.
  • FOUNDRY-SN-APPLETALK-MIB: This module contains AppleTalk-specific router MIB object definitions.
  • FOUNDRY-SN-IP-MIB: This MIB module defines management objects applicable to the switching router, independent of any routing protocol.
  • MPLS-LSR-MIB: This MIB contains managed object definitions for the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Router as defined in: Rosen, E., Viswanathan, A., and R.Callon, Multiprotocol Label Switching Architecture, Internet Draft, February 2000.
  • MPLS-LSR-MIB-CAPABILITY: Agent capabilities for MPLS-LSR-MIB.
  • OLD-CISCO-CHASSIS-MIB: This MIB module contains information on retrieving chassis information (specifically the serial number) from Cisco routers and switches. Starting with IOS 12.0, all objects in this MIB are deprecated.
  • PIM-MIB: MIB module for managing PIM routers.
Begin SNMP monitoring of your routers with a free 30-day trial of IPNetwork Monitor. IPNetwork’s SNMP monitor lets you track network performance, analyze network usage, identify network problems, and detect unauthorized access. The IPNetwork’s SNMP monitor can connect and communicate with any SNMP-enabled device. [interfaces_screenshot]

IPNetwork Monitor 1.0 build 141 of March 11, 2024. File size: 112MB