SNMPv3 trap vs. SNMP v3 INFORM

[George Donato]

On this net-snmp web page, it compares SNMPv3 trap vs. SNMPv3 INFORM:

http://www.net-snmp.org/wiki/index.php/TUT:snmptrap_SNMPv3

I see information in the RFCs about SNMPv2 traps and SNMPv3 INFORMS, but
nothing about SNMPv3 traps.

Where is SNMPv3 trap discussed in an rfc, etc.?

Thanks.

[Dave Shield]

Post by George Donato
I see information in the RFCs about SNMPv2 traps and SNMPv3 INFORMS,
but nothing about SNMPv3 traps.

SNMPv3 basically concentrates on defining an administrative framework.
The fundamental protocol operations are exactly the same as SNMPv2.

So SNMPv3 uses SNMPv2 traps and inform requests - it doesn't
introduce new PDUs for notifications. The behaviour of both of
these is exactly the same as for the SNMPv2c equivalents.

(Although the SNMPv3 administrative mechanisms may involve a
certain amount of faffing about before the basic protocol operations
kick in).

Dave

[George Donato]

Post by Dave Shield
SNMPv3 basically concentrates on defining an administrative framework.
The fundamental protocol operations are exactly the same as SNMPv2.

When would you need to (want to?) send an SNMPv3 TRAP (rather than
an SNMPv3 INFORM), as described here:

http://www.net-snmp.org/wiki/index.php/TUT:snmptrap_SNMPv3#SNMPv3_TRAPs

Thanks.

[Dave Shield]

Post by George Donato
When would you need to (want to?) send an SNMPv3 TRAP (rather than
an SNMPv3 INFORM)

When you're not bothered about having the notification acknowledged.
It's exactly the same situation as SNMPv2c TRAP vs SNMPv2c INFORM.

Post by George Donato
http://www.net-snmp.org/wiki/index.php/TUT:snmptrap_SNMPv3#SNMPv3_TRAPs

That page actually describes *both* informs and traps.

Dave