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