Purpose: The purpose of this manual is to assist users in configuring PRTG Network Monitor to track SNMP device firmware update status. By monitoring firmware update status, users can ensure that network devices are up to date with the latest firmware releases, thereby mitigating security risks and optimizing device performance.

Prerequisites:

1. Access to a PRTG Network Monitor instance.
2. Basic understanding of SNMP and firmware update processes.
3. SNMP-enabled devices with firmware update capabilities.

Steps:

1. Access PRTG Web Interface:

   • Log in to your PRTG Network Monitor instance using a web browser.

2. Navigate to Device Tree:

   • In the PRTG web interface, navigate to the "Devices" tab or the device tree where your SNMP-enabled devices are organized.

3. Add SNMP Custom Sensor:

   • Right-click on the desired device or group where you want to add the SNMP custom sensor.
   • Select "Add Sensor" and choose "SNMP Custom".
   • Click on the sensor to add it to the selected device or group.

4. Configure Sensor Settings:

   • Enter a name for the sensor to identify it easily (e.g., "Firmware Update Status").
   • Specify the SNMP version (SNMP v1, v2c, or v3) and authentication credentials (community string or SNMPv3 credentials).
   • Define the OID (Object Identifier) for querying firmware update status information. This OID may vary depending on the device manufacturer and firmware update implementation.
   • Optionally, configure advanced sensor settings such as timeout and scanning interval.

5. Define Status Values:

   • In the sensor settings, specify the status values corresponding to firmware update states (e.g., "Up to date", "Update available", "Update in progress", "Update failed", etc.).
   • Map these status values to numeric OID values to enable PRTG to interpret and display firmware update status correctly.

6. Set Notification Triggers:

   • Configure notification triggers to receive alerts when firmware update status changes (e.g., update available, update failed).
   • Define thresholds and conditions for triggering notifications based on firmware update events.

7. Review and Save Settings:

   • Double-check all configured settings to ensure accuracy.
   • Save the sensor configuration to start monitoring the firmware update status immediately.

8. Monitor Firmware Update Status:

   • Monitor the SNMP custom sensor results in the PRTG web interface.
   • Review the firmware update status for each monitored device.
   • Act promptly on update notifications to ensure devices are kept up to date with the latest firmware releases.

Best Practices:

• Regularly schedule firmware update checks to ensure timely detection of available updates.
• Maintain a centralized inventory of network devices and their firmware versions for better tracking and management.
• Test firmware updates in a controlled environment before deploying them to production devices.
• Establish a firmware update policy and schedule regular maintenance windows for applying updates.

By following these steps, you can effectively track SNMP device firmware update status using PRTG Network Monitor. Monitoring firmware update status allows for proactive management of network device firmware, ensuring devices are running the latest software versions to mitigate security risks and optimize performance. Leveraging PRTG's SNMP custom sensor capabilities enhances visibility into firmware update status and facilitates timely action to maintain a secure and reliable network infrastructure.