Management information base
(also MIB)
Management information base definition
A management information base is a database with information about a network’s software and hardware components. Management information bases store such variables as configuration settings, performance metrics, and operational states.
Management information bases are a fundamental component of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) framework, which is used by network administrators to configure devices remotely and detect issues.
See also: network administrator, network service provider, managed service provider platform
Management information base structure
Management information bases are organized hierarchically in an Object Identifier tree structure. This Object Identifier tree is made up of nodes representing variables or objects in the network, such as device hostnames, software versions, traffic counters, error rates, routing tables, and firewall rules. These variables can be accessed or modified using SNMP commands.
The structure of the management information base is defined using a language called the Structure of Management Information, which provides the rules for creating management information base modules.
Types of management information bases
- Standard: Management information bases maintained by standardization organizations like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). They provide a common set of variables and objects that are widely supported across different network devices.
- Vendor: Management information bases provided by individual network equipment manufacturers for their products. They may include additional variables and objects that are unique to the vendor’s devices.
- Private: Management information bases developed by organizations for their unique network environments, proprietary applications, or specialized requirements.