Uncertain about Remote Monitoring (RMON)? This guide dives into what it is and the benefits it offers for network management.
Key Takeaways
- RMON (Remote Monitoring) is an extension of SNMP that enables in-depth traffic monitoring on Ethernet networks.
- It can be implemented using software, hardware (RMON probes), or a combination of both.
- RMON offers valuable insights like packet statistics, bandwidth usage, and data transmission.
Q: What is Remote Monitoring (RMON)?
A: Remote Monitoring (RMON) is a technology that extends SNMP to provide comprehensive monitoring of traffic on an Ethernet network. It can be used with software-based tools, network devices, or a combination of both.
Remote Monitoring, also called RMON, is an addition to the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and is implemented as a standard Management Information Base (MIB). RMON supports more comprehensive monitoring of Ethernet network operations. With RMON, remote traffic can be monitored from a central network location. Using a standard MIB, information is received by the administrator only after an information request is sent to the device. In contrast, RMON can utilize software, network devices, or both, to capture, record and present information.
RMON Probe Supports Traffic Monitoring
Devices with RMON capabilities include RMON probes, which are physical hardware for temporary or permanent network installs. The RMON-enabled probe is often permanently installed to streamline traffic monitoring. Some devices come with RMON probes embedded into them. These can be switches, hubs, routers or other equipment. RMON alarm triggers can be set that warn of specific conditions, such as traffic errors. The alerts allow for proactive corrections. A management console can request statistics from an RMON device for analysis or forwarding to the administrator.
Two RMON Versions Supply Network Statistics
The RMON extension of the SNMP specifies nine groups of elements for Ethernet traffic monitoring. This means administrators can view statistics on: sent and dropped packets, user bandwidth demands, bytes transmitted, and specific network events. There are two RMON versions, RMON1 and RMON2. RMON1 performs inspections at Layers 1 and 2 of the OSI model. RMON2 can monitor higher traffic layers. SMON is associated with RMON; SMON allows for the in-depth monitoring of a switched network.