4.4.1.3 The 'create-snmp.template' Utility Program

To assist you in setting up the SNMP configuration file, the sat-nms software comes with a utility program called 'create-snmp.template'. This program creates a template configuration file which contains all (or the most common) M&C parameters of the actual system.

To create a template configuration file, perform the following steps:

1. Open a telnet window to the M&C server
2. Log in as user 'satnms', password 'satnms'.
3. Type 'create-snmp.template <ENTER>' to invoke the program

This creates a file called 'snmp.template', a template for the 'snmp.setup' file. It defines all M&C parameters of the system except of the device setup variables to be accessible via SNMP. The M&C variables appear in alphabetical order, all fault flags are marked to send SNMP traps in case of a change of the value. To use the template file, rename it to 'snmp.setup' and restart the software. To make certain parameters invisible for the SNMP NMS, remove the corresponding lines from the file or put comment characters ('#') in front of them.

The 'create-snmp.template' utility program accepts a number of command line options which let you modify the default behavior of the program. These options are:

• --include-config --- Includes the device setup variables into the template file. Normally the program skips these variables.
• --view-only --- Forces all parameter to be read-only and translated to text (parameter attributes 'TEXT RO'). This is a fail safe mode, making it impossible for the SNMP user to change anything at the M&C system.
• --comment --- This option places a comment character in front of line of the file. This is valuable if you intend to export only a small number of parameters to the SNMP world. By default all parameters are disabled, you may enable the SNMP export of particular parameter by removing the comment character in front ot the parameter name.

For example, typing 'create-snmp.template --include-config --comment <ENTER>' in the telnet window creates a template file which also includes the device setup variables, but with all parameter definitions commented out.