Tutorials · Monitoring
How to Monitor Your Network With SNMP and Syslog
Know about failures before users call: collect interface statistics with SNMPv3 and central logs with syslog.
Before you start
- A monitoring server (for example Zabbix, LibreNMS or PRTG)
- Network access from the server to the management VLAN
Step by step
Enable SNMPv3
Use SNMPv3 with authentication and encryption rather than community strings.
snmp-server group MONITOR v3 priv snmp-server user nms MONITOR v3 auth sha <auth-pass> priv aes 128 <priv-pass>
Restrict SNMP access
Allow SNMP only from the monitoring server.
Send syslog
Forward logs with timestamps to the syslog server.
logging host 10.99.0.30 logging trap informational
Add devices to monitoring
Discover devices and graph uptime, CPU, interface traffic, errors and PoE usage.
Create alerts
Alert on device down, link down, high error rates, high temperature and PoE budget exhaustion.
Commands are generic, industry-standard examples. Exact syntax and menu names vary by model and firmware; check your device's manual on the Documentation page.
Pro tips
- Keep time in sync (NTP) so logs from different devices line up.
- Use dashboards for uplinks and critical sites.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
SNMPv2c or SNMPv3?
SNMPv3. v2c sends community strings in clear text.
Keep learning
Related guides
NTP time synchronisation
Read more →Navijin Cloud
Read more →How to Synchronise Time on Network Devices With NTP
Accurate clocks are essential for logs, certificates, schedules and CCTV evidence. Configure NTP everywhere in minutes.
Read more →How to Back Up and Restore Network Device Configurations
A configuration backup turns a failed device into a quick swap. Set up regular backups and test a restore.
Read more →How Zero-Touch Provisioning Works With Navijin Cloud
Ship devices straight to site and let them configure themselves: claim by serial number, assign to a site, connect and verify.
Read more →Stuck on a step?
Ask Navijin technical support or an authorised partner for help with your configuration.