TID101693 (imws002) MIB Syntax and Conversion Utilities

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ABSTRACT:

ManageWise 2.x MIB compiler accepts MIBs which conform to ASN1 and use SNMP v1 syntax. What public domain tools exist to convert v2 MIBs to v1 so that they can be compiled by ManageWise? Also, what public domain tools exist to check syntax of MIBs? What are common syntax problems which cause ManageWise MIB compiler to fail to compile a MIB?

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

MIB Syntax and Conversion Utilities

ManageWise 2.x MIB compiler accepts MIBs which conform to ASN1 syntax for SNMP version 1. What public domain tools exist to convert v2 MIBs to v1 so that they can be compiled by ManageWise? Also, what public domain tools exist to check syntax of MIBs? What are common syntax problems which cause ManageWise MIB compiler to fail to compile a MIB?

PUBLIC DOMAIN TOOLS:

1. MIB module syntax-checker: mosy@dbc.mtview.ca.us

2. Convert v2 to v1 MIB send email with attached MIB to: mib-v2tov1@dbc.mtview.ca.us

3. SMIC compiler performs extensive MIB syntax checking and is freely downloadable via anonymous FTP and runs on DOS and many versions of UNIX: ftp.synoptics.com at eng/mibcompiler

SYNTAX ISSUES:

Following are common syntax problems which generate errors with the ManageWise MIB compiler. MIBs can be easily modified to correct these errors:

1. Undefined object identifiers: Typically the MIB is missing a reference to another MIB which defines these object types. Add a line to the IMPORTS section of the MIB to list the defining MIB.

2. Object identifiers, named values etc. contain "-" or "_" or improper capitalization. Modify the object name to remove non legal characters and improper capitalization.

3. SNMP v2 Syntax: Convert the MIB using the utility listed above.

NOTE: Some functionality may be lost when SNMP v2 functionality cannot be defined within v1 syntax. Check the MIB after conversion to check for functionality changes.

4. Warnings indicating lack of annotation. ManageWise allows you to add custom annotation to MIBs. Since 3rd party MIBs don't include this special ManageWise annotation, the compiler generates a warning. This warning can be ignored, or, following the directions in the documentation, users can annotate their 3rd party MIBs to customize them for ManageWise. To other MIB compilers, ManageWise annotations look like comments.

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