Enable SNMP in Windows Server 2003

by Scott Lowe MCSE | May 01, 2007 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Network administration, NETWORKING, Servers, Scott Lowe MCSE, SNMP, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server, Windows Server 2003 Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: If you want information on your Windows Server 2003 devices, SNMP is still the way to go. Here's how to enable SNMP in order to inventory your system statistics and send the results to the location of your choice.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) continues to dominate when it comes to capturing information about a device and reporting that information back to a central authority. The popular and versatile open source Multi Router Traffic Grapher (MRTG) tool, for example, relies solely on SNMP to capture information from various network devices -- including Windows Server 2003 servers -- and then displays graphs detailing system parameters.

In order for a tool like MRTG to work and to gather statistics from your Windows Server 2003 system, you need to enable SNMP on each of your servers. Use Add/Remove Programs to accomplish this task.

1. Go to Start | Control Panel | Add Or Remove Programs.
2. Choose Add/Remove Windows Components.
3. In the Windows Components window, scroll down and select Management And Monitoring Tools. Don't put a check mark in the selector box; simply select the entry.
4. Click Details.
5. Scroll down and select the check box next to Simple Network Management Protocol.
6. Click OK to return to the Windows Component window.
7. Click Next and, if prompted, insert the Windows CD.

Figure A

Enable SNMP via Add/Remove Programs

When you're done with these steps, configure SNMP with the appropriate community strings by opening the Services Control Panel applet and locating the SNMP Service. Open the service's Properties page by double-clicking the service.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

SNMP needs to be secured!! mford66215 | 05/02/07

+1 for security EJHonda | 05/02/07

Configuration and Monitoring info@... | 05/02/07

Here ya go... rjstephan@... | 05/02/07

Excellent Advice on Securing SNMP Bee Jay | 05/03/07

RE: Enable SNMP in Windows Server 2003 rsaulpaugh@... | 06/26/07