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Management Information Base

Agents store information in a hierarchical database called the Structure of Management Information (SMI). The SMI resembles a file system. Information is stored in individual files that are hierarchically arranged in the database. The individual files that store the information are known as Management Information Bases (MIBs). Each MIB contains nodes of information that are stored in a tree structure. Information branches down from a root node to individual leaves in the tree, and the individual leaves comprise the information that is queried by managers for a given MIB. The nodes of information are identified by an object ID (OID). The OID is a dotted integer identifier (1.3.6.1.2.1.2, for instance) or a subtree name (such as interfaces) that corresponds to an indivisible piece of information in the MIB.

MIBs are either standard or enterprise-specific. Standard MIBs are created by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and documented in various RFCs. Depending on the vendor, many standard MIBs are delivered with the NMS software. You can also download the standard MIBs from the IETF Web site, http://www.ietf.org, and compile them into your NMS, if necessary.

For a list of standard and enterprise-specific supported MIBS, see the JUNOS Network Management Configuration Guide.

Enterprise-specific MIBs are developed and supported by a specific equipment manufacturer. If your network contains devices that have enterprise-specific MIBs, you must obtain them from the manufacturer and compile them into your network management software.

To download enterprise MIBs for a device, go to http://www.juniper.net/techpubs/software/index_mibs.html.

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