Network Working Group                                  M. Schoffstall
Request for Comments: 1089           Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
                                                            C. Davin
                                 MIT Laboratory for Computer Science
                                                            M. Fedor
                                                      NYSERNet, Inc.
                                                             J. Case
                                University of Tennessee at Knoxville
                                                       February 1989


                          SNMP over Ethernet

Status of This Memo

  This memo describes an experimental method by which the Simple
  Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as specified in [1] can be used
  over Ethernet MAC layer framing [2] instead of the Internet UDP/IP
  protocol stack.  This specification is useful for LAN based network
  elements that support no higher layer protocols beyond the MAC sub-
  layer.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Overview and Rational

  SNMP has been successful in managing Internet capable network
  elements which support the protocol stack at least through UDP the
  connectionless Internet transport layer protocol.  As originally
  designed, SNMP is capable of running over any reasonable transport
  mechanism (not necessarily a transport protocol) that supports bi-
  directional flow and addressability.

  Many non-Internet capable network elements are present in local
  networks; for example, repeaters and wiring concentrators.  They
  include both addressability, and programmable intelligence.  These
  devices are widely used and increasingly important yet, for the most
  part, invisible except through proprietary mechanisms.

Specification

  Almost all Internet capable network elements use the same mechanism
  for encapsulation of the Internet protocol stack regardless of
  conformity with the physical characteristics of Ethernet or 802.3,
  this mechanism is specified in [3] and [4].  This specification
  continues that style with the assignment (by XEROX) of 33100
  (hexadecimal 814C) to the Ethernet Type field for SNMP.  The data
  portion of the Ethernet frame would then be a standard SNMP message
  as specified in [1].




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RFC 1089                   SNMP over Ethernet              February 1989


References

    [1]  Case, J., Fedor, M., Schoffstall, M., and J. Davin, "A Simple
         Network Management Protocol", RFC-1067, University of
         Tennessee at Knoxville, NYSERNet, Inc., Rensselaer Polytechnic
         Institute, and Proteon, Inc., August 1988.

    [2]  DEC, "The Ethernet - A Local Area Network", Version 2.0,
         Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel Corporation, Xerox
         Corporation.

    [3]  Hornig, C., "A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams
         over Ethernet Networks", RFC-894, Symbolics, April 1984.

    [4]  Postel, J., and J. Reynolds, "A Standard for the Transmission
         of IP Datagrams over IEEE 802 Networks", RFC-1042, USC
         Information Sciences Institute, February 1988.

Authors' Addresses

  Marty Schoffstall
  NYSERNET Inc.
  Rensselaer Technology Park
  165 Jordan Road
  Troy, NY 12180

  Phone: (518) 276-2654

  EMail: [email protected]


  Chuck Davin
  MIT Laboratory for Computer Science, NE43-507
  545 Technology Square
  Cambridge, MA 02139

  Phone: (617) 253-6020

  EMail: [email protected]












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RFC 1089                   SNMP over Ethernet              February 1989


  Mark Fedor
  Nysernet, Inc.
  Rensselaer Technology Park
  125 Jordan Road
  Troy, NY 12180
  (518) 283-8860

  Phone: (518) 283-8860

  EMail: [email protected]


  Jeff Case
  University of Tennessee Computing Center
  Associate Director
  200 Stokely Management Center
  Knoxville, TN 37996-0520

  Phone: (615) 974-6721

  EMail: [email protected]






























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