SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is how monitoring systems poll devices for status, counters, and config. SNMPv2c uses community strings (plain text, no encryption). SNMPv3 adds users, authentication (MD5/SHA), and encryption (DES/AES). Modern best practice: use SNMPv3 everywhere; keep SNMPv2c only for legacy tools. This lab configures both on R1.
What you will learn
- SNMPv2c community string config (read-only and read-write)
- SNMPv3 user + group with authentication and encryption
- How to set system location and contact for inventory
- The security difference between v2c and v3
What this lab does NOT cover
- SNMP traps (separate config; touched on in passing)
- Specific OID polling examples
- NMS configuration (PRTG, SolarWinds, etc.)
Topology
Download the CCNA Base Topology .yaml
3 iol-xe routers + 1 alpine + 1 ioll2-xe managed switch.