Would you like to learn how to use Zabbix to monitor a Cisco Switch? In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to configure the SNMP service on a Cisco Switch and how to use Zabbix to monitor the Cisco Switch using SNMP.
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Tutorial Cisco Switch - SNMP Configuration
First, we need to enable and configure the SNMP service on the Cisco Switch.
Using either the console, telnet or ssh, connect to the command-line of your switch and log in with a user who has administrative privileges.
After a successful login, the console command-line will be displayed.
Use the ENABLE command to enter the privilege mode.
Use the following commands to configure the SNMP service.
The GokuBlack Community has read-only permission on the Cisco Switch.
The contact person responsible for this Switch was configured as Zamasu.
The location of the equipment was configured as the IT Room of Universe 10.
Don’t forget to save your switch configuration.
You have successfully configured the Cisco SNMP service.
Now, let's test the SNMP communication between the Zabbix server and the Cisco Switch.
On the Zabbix server console, use the following commands to install and test the SNMP communication.
In our example, the Zabbix server used the command SNMPWALK to test the communication.
In our example, the Cisco Switch has the IP address 192.168.0.200.
Here is a small sample of the SNMPWALK output.
Congratulations, the SNMP service was configured successfully on the Cisco Switch.
Tutorial - Zabbix Configuration
Now, we need to access the Zabbix server dashboard and add the Cisco Switch as a 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
After a successful login, you will be sent to the Zabbix Dashboard.
On the dashboard screen, access the Configuration menu and select the Host option.
On the top right of the screen, click on the Create host button.
On the Host configuration screen, you will have to enter the following information:
• Host Name - Enter a Hostname to identify the Switch
• Visible Hostname - Repeat the hostname.
• New group - Enter a name to identify a group of similar devices.
• Agent Interface - Click on the Remove button.
• SNMP Interface - Click on the Add button and enter the IP address of the Cisco Switch.
Here is the original image, before our configuration.
Here is the new image with our configuration.
Next, we need to configure the SNMP community that Zabbix will use to connect on the Cisco Switch.
Access the Macros tab on the top of the screen.
Create a macro named: {$SNMP_COMMUNITY}
The {$SNMP_COMMUNITY} macro value should be the Cisco Switch SNMP community.
In our example, the {$SNMP_COMMUNITY} value is GokuBlack
Next, we need to associate the host with a specific network monitor template.
By default, Zabbix comes with a large variety of monitoring templates.
Access the Templates tab on the top of the screen.
Click on the Select button and locate the template named: Template Net Cisco IOS SNMPv2
Click on the Add button (1).
Click on the Add button (2).
After a few minutes, you will be able to see the initial result on the Zabbix Dashboard.
The final result will take at least one hour.
By default, Zabbix will wait 1 hour to discover the number of interfaces available on the switch.
By default, Zabbix will wait 1 hour before collect information from the Cisco Switch interfaces.
Congratulations! You have configured the Zabbix server to monitor a Cisco Switch.
