What
types of remote notification are possible?
What is SNMP?
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a network
management protocol. A protocol is a set of rules that
governs data transmission and reception. Software and
firmware products designed for networks are often based
on SNMP. SNMP was developed to provide a common framework
for network management; SNMP is the emerging communications
and control management standard. Network managers use
SNMP applications to: monitor printer queues, set up
addresses for devices, assign priorities for communication,
install software on the network, manage databases and
manage power on the network to name a few examples.
SNMP interacts with the management information bases
(MIBs) of devices on the network. By issuing SNMP commands,
the network manager can monitor and control the network
by retrieving information from network devices. SNMP
also has the capability of handling traps, messages
that alert the network management station of important
events, such as when a UPS goes on battery.
An SNMP product is any device or application that communicates
management information through the Simple Network Management
Protocol. Devices that talk SNMP can be monitored and
managed with SNMP network management software. Network
managers use SNMP products to perform network management
tasks. SNMP is relatively easy to implement, and therefore
it has become very popular and is used on a wide range
of hardware and software platforms across numerous vendor
product lines.
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What is an SNMP agent?
A proxy agent acts on behalf of devices that cannot
implement SNMP. It translates data between the device
and the network and can also be used as a cache for
network information, minimizing the processing burden
on a managed node. The manager retrieves management
information from and sends management information to
the agents. The agents report extraordinary events.
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What is a MIB?
The popularity of SNMP has resulted in the development
of standards for storing data critical to network operation,
the Management Information Base (MIB). MIB-II, the latest
generation of network management MIBs, stores data on
TCP/IP traffic, routing, configuration and errors. MIB-II
has improved support for multi-protocol devices and
allows the network management system to control SNMP
operation.
The Liebert standard MIB has several sections including:
1. Controls - SNMP set commands, used to remotely control
a device (for performing tasks such as shutdown, startup,
battery test, etc)
2. Alarms and Traps - inform the SNMP network management
station about significant events (utility power failure,
battery low, output overload, high temperature, high
humidity, equipment or component failure, maintenance
interval, etc.)
3. Status Variables - identify the manufacturer, model
and software version of the equipment and also contain
dynamic information (input voltage, output voltage,
output load, temperature, humidity, compressor run-time,
CFM, etc.)
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Which monitoring package do
I need?
There are many types of monitoring and many different
packages. It really depends on what type of equipment
you would like to monitor and if you desire remote monitoring
as well as local or centralized monitoring.
For Liebert UPS systems:
Liebert offers MultiLink 1.5 and 3.0 software for monitoring
Liebert UPS systems. MultiLink 1.5 generates closed
contact communication signals when there is a power
anomaly or a problem with the UPS. This can be monitored
over a network or over a close contact cable link. MultiLink
3.0 also offers remote notification via alphanumeric
pager or e-mail as well as data logging, active power
system monitoring and some UPS administrative capabilities.
Liebert also offers the SiteNet Integrator, which can
be configured with many common types of monitors like
temperature, humidity, door ajar, smoke and leak detectors.
It can also be used to control the Load Control Module
which controls the power output to connected equipment.
For Liebert environmental systems:
Liebert offers the SiteScan software, which is a customizable
software solution that can be used to monitor Liebert
environmental and power systems at a single site or
a remote site as well as common sensor types. It integrates
all of these signals into a building management system
or stand alone system. SiteScan can also be used with
SiteTrap software to add a complete TCP/IP or UDP/IP
interface to the entire SiteScan system.
Liebert also offers several different types of remote
status and control panels for remote control of Liebert
equipment.
For Liebert and other types of equipment:
Campbell Company is proud to also offer the products
from RLE Technologies such as the Falcon, the Phonetics
line of Sensaphone products and the Notifact remote
cellular monitoring systems.
All of these systems can be configured to monitor Liebert
and many other types of equipment to provide a complete
local and remote monitoring solution to your critical
facilities.
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I know I can monitor and control
my Liebert equipment, but what else can I monitor?
We offer software and hardware packages that can be
configured to monitor and control just about anything
in a critical system from a local computer terminal
or from as far away as you care to be through TCP/IP
and Internet enabled monitoring and control systems.
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What types of remote monitoring
and control are possible?
Many types of remote notification are possible, but
remote monitoring is a different story. Most remote
monitoring is done over an SNMP network or the Internet
through a TCP/IP type interface. Liebert's SNMP/Web
Card enables the Liebert UPS systems to be monitored
and even controlled over an Internet interface. Both
the RLE Falcon and the Sensaphone IMS-4000 offer Internet
monitoring and configuration. This has, in fact, become
the preferred method of configuration in modern systems
because it does not require special software or interface
tools, only a web browser.
There are also several types of remote status and control
panels available from Liebert and RLE that enable the
user to interface directly with a connected machine
from a more convenient or centralized location.
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Are the remote control capabilities
secure?
Security is always a big concern with any critical system.
All of the Internet interfaces are the most susceptible
to security breaches, but the control and configuration
portions are all password protected. Another possible
security breach is the network. If you are using the
building network to monitor or control your systems,
you must have appropriate security measures in place,
such as a firewall and virus protection software.
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Monitoring and Software - FAQ