RFC 1908 (rfc1908) - Page 2 of 10
Coexistence between Version 1 and Version 2 of the Internet-standard Network Management Framework
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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