RFC 1908 (rfc1908) - Page 2 of 10

Coexistence between Version 1 and Version 2 of the Internet-standard Network Management Framework

RFC 1908         Coexistence between SNMPv1 and SNMPv2      January 1996


1.  Introduction

   The purpose of this document is to describe coexistence between
   version 2 of the Internet-standard Network Management Framework [1-
   6], termed the SNMP version 2 framework (SNMPv2), and the original
   Internet-standard Network Management Framework (SNMPv1), which
   consists of these three documents:

      STD 16, RFC 1155 [7] which defines the Structure of Management
      Information (SMI), the mechanisms used for describing and naming
      objects for the purpose of management.

      STD 16, RFC 1212 [8] which defines a more concise description
      mechanism, which is wholly consistent with the SMI.

      STD 15, RFC 1157 [9] which defines the Simple Network Management
      Protocol (SNMP), the protocol used for network access to managed
      objects.

2.  Management Information

   The SNMPv2 approach towards describing collections of managed objects
   is nearly a proper superset of the approach defined in the Internet-
   standard Network Management Framework.  For example, both approaches
   use ASN.1 [10] as the basis for a formal descriptive notation.
   Indeed, one might note that the SNMPv2 approach largely codifies the
   existing practice for defining MIB modules, based on extensive
   experience with the current framework.

   The SNMPv2 documents which deal with information modules are:

     Structure of Management Information for SNMPv2 [1], which defines
     concise notations for describing information modules, managed
     objects and notifications;

     Textual Conventions for SNMPv2 [2], which defines a concise
     notation for describing textual conventions, and also defines some
     initial conventions; and,

     Conformance Statements for SNMPv2 [3], which defines concise
     notation for describing compliance and capabilities statements.

   The following sections consider the three areas:  MIB modules,
   compliance statements, and capabilities statements.

   MIB modules defined using the current framework may continue to be
   used with the SNMPv2 protocol.  However, for the MIB modules to
   conform to the SNMPv2 framework, the following changes are required:



SNMPv2 Working Group        Standards Track