Alcatel Carrier Internetworking Solutions omniswitch User Manual

Setting Up SNMP Access for a User Account

Managing Switch User Accounts

page 7-12

OmniSwitch 6600 Family Switch Management Guide

By default, users can access the switch based on the SNMP setting specified for the default user account. 
The user command, however, may be used to configure SNMP access for a particular user. SNMP access 
may be configured without authentication and encryption required (supported by SNMPv1, SNMPv2, or 
SNMPv3). Or it may be configured with authentication or authentication/encryption required (SNMPv3 
only).

SNMP authentication specifies the algorithm that should be used for computing the SNMP authentication 
key. It may also specify DES encryption. The following options may be configured for a user’s SNMP 
access with authentication or authentication/encryption:

• SHA—The SHA authentication algorithm is used for authenticating SNMP PDU for the user.

• MD5—The MD5 authentication algorithm is used for authenticating SNMP PDU for the user.

• SHA and DES—The SHA authentication algorithm and DES encryption standard is used for authenti-

cating and encrypting SNMP PDU for the user.

• MD5 and DES—The MD5 authentication algorithm and the DES encryption standard is used for 

authenticating and encrypting SNMP PDU for the user.

The user’s level of SNMP authentication is superseded by the SNMP version allowed globally on the 
switch. By default, the switch allows all SNMP requests. Use the 

 command to change the 

SNMP security level on the switch.

Note. At least one user with SHA/MD5 authentication and/or DES encryption must be configured on the 
switch for SNMPv3 communication with OmniVista.

The community string carried in the SNMP PDU identifies the request as an SNMPv1 or SNMPv2 
request. The way the community string is handled on the switch is determined by the setting of the 

 command. If the community map mode is enabled, the community string is 

checked against the community strings database (populated by the 

 command). If 

the community map mode is disabled, then the community string value is checked against the user data-
base. In either case, if the check fails, the request is dropped.

For more information about configuring SNMP globally on the switch, see 

The next sections describe how to configure SNMP access for users. Note the following:

• SNMP access cannot be specified for the admin user.

• When modifying a user’s SNMP access, the user password must be re-entered (or a new one config-

ured). This is required because the hash algorithm used to save the password in the switch depends on 
the SNMP authentication level.

To give a user SNMP access without SNMP authentication required, enter the user command with the no 
auth option. For example, to give existing user thomas SNMP access without SNMP authentication, enter 
the following:

-> user thomas password techpubs no auth