MIB

Management Information Base

A structured database that defines the objects and variables that can be managed and monitored by an SNMP-based network management system.

A MIB provides a hierarchical organization of managed objects, where each object represents a specific attribute or variable associated with a network device or system. These objects are defined using a standardized notation called the Structure of Management Information (SMI), which specifies the syntax, naming, and relationships of the objects in the MIB.

MIBs are typically organized in a tree-like structure called the Object Identifier (OID) tree. The OID tree consists of a series of numeric values separated by dots, forming a unique identifier for each managed object. The root of the tree is represented by the OID 1.3.6.1 (also known as the ISO Object Identifier), and subsequent branches represent different organizations, standard bodies, or manufacturers that define their own managed objects.

Each node in the MIB tree represents a specific managed object and contains information about its name, data type, access permissions, and other relevant details. The objects defined in a MIB can include device configurations, performance statistics, network status, and more information.

When an SNMP manager communicates with a managed device, it can use the MIB to query or modify the values of specific managed objects. The SNMP manager sends SNMP requests to the device, referencing the appropriate OIDs to retrieve information or trigger actions.

Device vendors or standard organizations typically provide MIBs, and different devices may have their MIBs. Commonly used MIBs include the SNMPv2-MIB, IF-MIB (Interface MIB), and RFC1213-MIB (MIB-II).

SNMP managers rely on MIBs to understand the structure and capabilities of managed devices, enabling efficient monitoring, configuration, and management of network resources.

• Abbreviation: MIB