1. Introduction to the System Management Agent
2. Configuring the System Management Agent
3. Working with the System Management Agent
Using USM for Authentication and Message Privacy
Authentication Protocol Algorithms
Where USM Security Information Is Contained
Where VACM Security Information Is Contained
Troubleshooting Problems With VACM Tables
To Create a New User Using System Prompts
To Create Additional SNMPv3 Users With Security
Managing SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c Users With SNMPv3 Security
The System Management Agent supports SNMPv1, SNMPv2c and SNMPv3. The SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c authentication service is based on community strings defined on the management station. The SNMPv3 authentication service is based on users. Each request must contain either a community name or a user name depending upon the protocol being used.
The SNMPv3 authentication process implements the User-based Security Model (USM) to obtain a security name and security level from a user name. Similarly, both SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c determine the security level from the community string. The security name and security level are then used together with a context string, a group name and a view name to perform access control. Access control is done through the View-based Access Control Model, (VACM). This access control model is used after the authentication process. So, while USM is designed and used for authentication, VACM is designed and used for authorization.
For information about the supported versions of SNMP within the System Management Agent, see SNMP Versions.