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Overview
Net-SNMP is a C toolset for reading and writing management information exposed by routers, switches, servers, and other SNMP devices. It combines CLI tools, a library, and the snmpd agent for investigation, ongoing monitoring, and custom extensions.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Work with management data from a CLI or library
Commands including snmpget, snmpwalk, and snmpset retrieve or update values by OID. The same functionality is available as a C library for monitoring products, management applications, and operational automation.
Sources: [1]
Serve management data and receive notifications
The snmpd agent exposes host information and supports extension modules and custom MIBs. snmptrapd receives asynchronous notifications so operators can react to device changes without waiting for the next polling interval.
Sources: [1]
Best fit
Before adoption
Plan authentication and review component license notices
SNMPv1/v2c community strings do not provide modern confidentiality, so untrusted networks call for SNMPv3 authentication and privacy. GitHub reports NOASSERTION because COPYING carries distinct notices for code originating with UCD, CMU, Networks Associates, Cambridge Broadband, and others; review the notices that cover the files and redistribution model you use.
Official sources
- [1]Net-SNMP 5.9.5.2 README(2026-10-04)
- [2]Net-SNMP 5.9.5.2 INSTALL(2026-10-04)
- [3]Net-SNMP 5.9.5.2 license notices(2026-10-04)
Supplemental curator note
Its mature toolchain spans ad hoc CLI investigation, monitoring integrations, and custom MIB support. The distribution contains components under several license notices, so review COPYING for the specific pieces you redistribute or embed.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Enter the 5.9.5.2 source tree
With Git, a C compiler, make, and development libraries available, fetch only the published tag.
git clone --depth 1 --branch v5.9.5.2 https://github.com/net-snmp/net-snmp.git net-snmp-demo && cd net-snmp-demo - 2
Configure a local build
Choose SNMPv3 by default without prompts and keep output and persistent state inside the working tree. If configure reports a missing library, install the platform dependency identified by INSTALL.
./configure --prefix="$PWD/.local" --with-default-snmp-version=3 --with-sys-contact=nobody@example.invalid --with-sys-location=local-test --with-logfile="$PWD/snmpd.log" --with-persistent-directory="$PWD/.state" - 3
Build the CLI and check its version
Build snmpget and confirm it reports Net-SNMP version 5.9.5.2. This does not contact a device or start a service.
make -j2 snmpget && ./apps/snmpget --version
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
490 Stars
Trend data is still being collected.
Development activity
Last 90 days · weekly
- Commits (last 30 days)
- 51
- Open PRs
- 14
Development activity is still being collected.
Built with
Categories and tags
Categories
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
- Stars
- 490
- Forks
- 325
- Watchers
- 32
- Open issues
- 329
- Contributors
- 247
- Owner type
- Organization
- Primary language
- C
- License
- Not determined
- Repository last updated
- Oct 1, 2026
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