Zabbix repository are there some?

[GertJensen]

Hello All zabbix Users,

I have a question..

Does Zabbix have a repository for templates, actions and items,
i.e Cisco, HP Nortel, 3Com?

It looks like we are a lot of people who are trying to do the same,
Check network devices by usin snmp, I know I am.

As I would like to introduce this product to some of my costumers
it would be nice to start creating a repository of templates etc., so
I do NOT have to do the same things for all my customers...

Some of them have 100 or more network devices, so acctually I am looking
for some(easy)way to create a repository if one does not exists...

I know Nagios has plugins or somthing like that but Zabbix just look and act better... :O)

Yes I have seen the one at wiki, but is that it ?


Kind regards
Gert

[swaterhouse]

Yes - its the wiki

http://www.zabbix.com/wiki/doku.php

There is a page for Templates with some already added. It could definately use some more so please add some if you have any. I will be uploading a few of mine in the next couple of weeks.

[GertJensen]

Ok,

Just one (other) question then.

When i make my templates, Items Triggers Graphs.
What about the Discover ?

How do I make a 3Com use a 3Com template ?

How do I Export The discover statements where I have written the OID for
the components I have written a template for?

Or are there a generic string i can set in my templates, so it is the correct template there are used when a 3Com snmp product has been found?


Kind regards
Gert

[qix]

I haven't really looked at the autodiscovery yet, but from what i've read it should be possible to read a SNMP OID during autodiscovery. You could then define a discovery action based on the value of that OID.

This can be a regex expression. So you could probably read the host info if you know the correct OID and filter for "3Com" after which you apply the right template.

HTH,

[GertJensen]

Hello qix,

Ok thanks, but does that not mean that you should be able
to export Actions ?

OID 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0 = 3Com Super stack 3

So put it in a template 3ComSuperStack3

?

Kind regards
Gert

[qix]

I have not yet tried this but i think it should work if you do the following:

1. Make a template for your 3Com device, including snmp items for your ports etc.
2. Define a discovery rule including snmp item for OID including the word "3Com"
3. Define a action for discovery that sets the host template to your new 3Com template when the OID is like "3Com"
4. Enjoy not having to manually add all your 3Com devices.

If I'm wrong here, could anyone please correct me?

[Alexei]

I am very interested in adding new templates for different devices into ZABBIX distribution. Just export your templates to XML, add it to the Wiki, so I could pick them up, check and integrate into ZABBIX

[GertJensen]

Hello qix,

I do not think you are wrong, but.

If I as a consultent are creating a lot of templates, how will you know
how to discover the snmp devices I have made templates for ?

How do you know which OID I am discovering for that specifik template. ?

I beleve you have to make a template for example
3Com
3ComswitchSuperstack3

But how will you know which OID I am using to disscover,
when you only can see my template ?

As I can see it you should make a different disover for each device:
3ComScitchSuperstack3
CiscoPix715
CiscoPix725
CiscoPix735
CiscoPix745
HP Switch 7500
HP Switch 8500
HP Switch 5500
.
.
.
.

As I belive that each device has different hardware and then monitor points...

So unless that that is a field in the template there is uniq test field in each template, I really think that you need to be able to export the actions allso..
:O)



Kind regards
Gert

[qix]

Hi Gert,

Templates, Discovery and Actions are three different things in Zabbix.
Just to be sure that you understand that, I will try to explain this some more.
(If I'm wrong on any of the following, please correct me)

Templates are used to assign Items, Triggers and Graphs to a host.
Zabbix simply 'copies' these items etc. on a host to which you assign a template. So you make a template "3Com" with all the SNMP OID's and perhaps a reachability check in it and define the appropriate trigger for this.

Discovery lets you obtain certain parameters of hosts by running a test against a certain ip address range. (For example scan 192.168.0.1-254 for an open http port.

You can use actions to let Zabbix do something when a certain event occurs.
For discovery, an event is generated if a host is scanned and returns positive on one of the checks you've defined (http for example). The action you define has to say: "When I receive an event that port 80 (http) is open on a discovered host, assign the 'Webserver' template to it."

Another form of actions in Zabbix is to enable alerting:
"If the trigger 'host x is unreachable' becomes active, sent an email to the group 'server admins'."

As you can see, everything depends on each other, but is not automatically linked to each other.

What you need to do is make a template for your 3Com devices.
Then make a discovery rule that scans your network for devices that have an SNMP OID 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0 that contains the string '3Com Super stack 3'.

Then define an action that says: "If a device has been discovered that has '3Com Super stack 3' as the value of SNMP OID 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0, use the '3Com' template on it.

That means that if OID 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0 returns an other value, "Cisco catalyst 2950" for example, you can assign it to another template.

I hope this clarifies the matter some what for you.

[GertJensen]

Hello qix,

So what you are saying is:
Use a generic OID i.e 1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0 to discover
all devices and then use a custom action to apply it in a template ?

And then my question is if I am not able to export/import my action
how do other people benefit from my templates, if they have to make
the action them selfe?

Have I misunderstud the concept and the importens of actions
in discovering snmp devices?

Kind regards
Gert

[mozzi]

templates

I know I am going to sound like an idiot now :-)
But where or how do I make a template?
quix: thanx you made me understand better


Mozzi

[qix]

@Gert: Yes, that is correct.

If you import a template (and if it is any good), you won't have to do these thing:

• Run a SNMPwalk to discover all useful SNMP items and filter out the ones you don't need.
• Define triggers for item values.
• Make nice graphs.

So there is an advantage in this. You still need to decide for yourself when you want to apply a certain template.

[GertJensen]

Hello qix,

I know there are a lot of advantage in this, and i know zabbix is a great product, at least i think so.

Just to make it absolutly clear: Templates rules...... :O)
But I think there is missing someting.

My concern was when we are building a repository for snmp templates with 1000< devices, how do we do it in a standardized way so it is possible for all to make them work.

I know that I do not know how to read a Template and say aha this is the oid
I should search for, for this template.

I grant that naminging the xml file will help a lot, but if I am sitting and doing
the work of making an action for applying a specific template, why should you do it allso?

So in my head I just thougt that if you had the action (maybe the discover too), you could decide your selfe if it should be enabled, or you could build your own huge discover.

Acctually I think this post may have taken a turn, so it is in the wrong forum :O)


Kind regards
Gert