This article applies to PRTG Network Monitor 19 or later

I would like to see MIB entries like the name value of an OID in PRTG instead of just the address with the dot separated numbers. How can I map raw OIDs, that devices return to PRTG, to more expressive OID names?

Converting OIDs into name values

PRTG can translate OIDs (Object Identifiers) that devices return to PRTG into the corresponding entry for Name from the MIB (Management Information Base) file.

So, received SNMP data will be more comprehensible and easier to read, because PRTG shows the actual name instead of only raw OID numbers. (See below how this facilitates monitoring!)

For example, this function is useful when using the SNMP Trap Receiver in PRTG to see immediately where an SNMP trap comes from.

Note: The SNMP Trap Receiver does not show descriptions, only OIDs and lookups.

Finding MIB files for an OID and providing MIBs for PRTG

You have to accomplish two steps to map OIDs to their name values:

1. Have the MIB file ready that contains your OID, and

2. Copy it into the correct folder on your PRTG core server.

Step 1: Find the MIB file with the OID

If you do not have your MIB file for your device or if you do not get it via the vendor, you can look for it on the internet. Copy the OID (for which you want to show the corresponding MIB entry for name) and use the search function of MIB archives like:

You can also find more information in the Knowledge Base article Where can I find MIB files?

If you find the MIB file that contains the entries that you need, download it and take step 2.

Step 2: Provide the MIB file for PRTG

  1. Save the downloaded MIB file into the \MIB subfolder of the PRTG program directory on your PRTG core server.
  2. Then restart the PRTG core server to apply the newly added MIB file.

Example of an OID mapped to its name

Without the corresponding MIB file, the output message in the SNMP Trap Receiver will look like this:

SNMPv2-SMI::enterprises.32446.1.1.3 = 5

This MIB file, the PRTG-MIB.mib contains the following MIB Definition:

[...]
paesslerPrtgTrapSensorstate OBJECT-TYPE
  SYNTAX          INTEGER  {
              none(0),
                            unknown(1),
                            collecting(2),
                            up(3),
                            warning(4),
                            down(5),
                            noProbe(6),
                            pausedUser(7),
                            pausedDependency(8),
                            pausedSchedule(9),
                            unusual(10),
                            pausedLicense(11),
                            pausedUntil(12),
                            downAck(13),
                            partialDown(14)        
                        }
    MAX-ACCESS      read-only
    STATUS          current
    DESCRIPTION
            "The sensor state being reported by PRTG's trap"
  ::= { paesslerPrtgTraps 3 }
[...]


With the MIB provided in PRTG, the output message in the SNMP Trap Receiver will look like this:

PRTG-MIB::paesslerPrtgTrapSensorstate = down (5)

And this is how it can look in PRTG: SNMP Trap Receiver SensorClick to enlarge.

Notes

  • The \MIB folder is for .MIB files, not to be confused with .oidlib files that are converted MIB files for use with the SNMP Library Sensor.
  • The PRTG core server service has to be restarted after the MIB file has been placed in the folder.
  • If your OIDs are not translated correctly please review the mibparser.log (in the \MIB folder), and validate your MIB file for syntax errors.

That’s all. PRTG features like the SNMP Trap Receiver can now find out and show you names for received OIDs, according to the MIB files you provide for PRTG.

See also




Disclaimer:
The information in the Paessler Knowledge Base comes without warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk. Before applying any instructions please exercise proper system administrator housekeeping. You must make sure that a proper backup of all your data is available.