Would you like to learn how to use Zabbix Auto Discovery feature using SNMP? In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to configure Zabbix SNMP Autodiscovery feature in 10 minutes or less.

• Zabbix version: 3.4.12

The Auto Discovery feature allows the Zabbix server to periodically scan the network for computer or devices using a specific SNMP community and take pre-defined actions upon discovery of those devices.

It is important for you to understand that your Zabbix server will only find devices pre-configured to use a specific SNMP community.

If you don’t know how to install and configure the SNMP service on a computer running Windows, Linux or any other device, please take a look at our Zabbix tutorial list.

Equipment list

Here you can find the list of equipment used to create this tutorial.

This link will also show the software list used to create this tutorial.

Zabbix Playlist:

On this page, we offer quick access to a list of videos related to Zabbix installation.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our youtube channel named FKIT.

Tutorial – Zabbix Auto Discovery using SNMP

Now, we need to access the Zabbix server dashboard and add a new Host.

Open your browser and enter the IP address of your web server plus /zabbix.

In our example, the following URL was entered in the Browser:

• http://35.162.85.57/zabbix

On the login screen, use the default username and default password.

• Default Username: Admin
• Default Password: zabbix

zabbix login

After a successful login, you will be sent to the Zabbix Dashboard.

zabbix dashboard

On the dashboard screen, access the Configuration menu and select the Discovery option.

Zabbix Discovery

On the top right of the screen, click on the Create discovery rule button.

On the Host discovery configuration screen, you will have to enter the following information:

• Name – Enter an Identification to the Discovery Rule.
• Discovery by Proxy – No proxy.
• IP Range – Enter the IP address range that needs to be scanned.
• Update Interval – Time interval between the network scan.
• Checks – Click on the New option.
• Device uniqueness criteria – SNMPv2 agent “1.3.6.1.2.1.1.5.0”
• Enabled – Yes

Here is the original image, before our configuration.

Zabbix Auto Discovery Configuration

Here is the new image with our configuration.

Zabbix auto discovery SNMP

Click on the New option and enter the following configuration.

Zabbix auto discovery SNMP check

Click on the Add option.

On the Device uniqueness criteria, select the option named: SNMPv2 agent “1.3.6.1.2.1.1.5.0”

Device Uniqueness criteria

Click on the Add button to finish the Auto discovery rule configuration.

Tutorial – Zabbix Discovery Action Configuration

Now, we need to configure the actions that Zabbix needs to execute after discovering a new SNMP device.

On the dashboard screen, access the Configuration menu and select the Action option.

Zabbix Action menu

On the top right of the screen, select the Discovery event source.

Click on the Create action button.

Zabbix discovery action

On the Host discovery configuration screen, you will have to enter the following information:

• Name – Enter an Identification to the Discovery Action.
• Conditions – Discovery Rule = INTERNAL NETWORK
• Enabled – Yes

Here is the original image, before our configuration.

Zabbix new discovery

Here is the new image with our configuration.

Zabbix discovery action configuration

Access the Operations tab and configure the actions that Zabbix should take.

Zabbix Discovery operations

In our example, the Zabbix server will scan the network 192.168.100.0/24 and try to find devices with the SNMP community named GokuBlack every 1 hour.

If the Zabbix server finds a device using the GokuBlack SNMP community it will add this device to the Discovered hosts group.

Zabbix Discovery Hostname

Keep in mind that your Zabbix server Must be able to translate the devices IP address to the device name.

If your Zabbix server is not able to translate the SNMP devices IP address to the hostname, it will create a host using the IP address of the device instead of using the hostname.

Zabbix Discovery IP Address

If you want, you may also configure the Zabbix server to assign a template during the discovery process.

Congratulations! You have configured Zabbix SNMP Auto Discovery feature successfully.