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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].

Schoffstall, Davin, Fedor & Case [Page 1]  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: schoff@stonewall.nyser.net

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

 Phone: (617) 253-6020

 EMail: jrd@ptt.lcs.mit.edu

Schoffstall, Davin, Fedor & Case [Page 2]  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: fedor@patton.NYSER.NET

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

 Phone: (615) 974-6721

 EMail: case@UTKUX1.UTK.EDU

Schoffstall, Davin, Fedor & Case [Page 3]