BKNTSNMP.RVW   980314

"Windows NT SNMP", James D. Murray, 1998, 1-56592-338-3,
U$34.95/C$49.95
%A   James D. Murray
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   1998
%G   1-56592-338-3
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$34.95/C$49.95 800-998-9938 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%P   464 p. + CD-ROM
%T   "Windows NT SNMP"

As the author points out, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is
not a program or even a language, it is a protocol.  This is
disturbingly assumed, though not explicitly stated, in some of the
earlier works I have reviewed on the subject.  It is easy to
understand the frustration of readers who may plough through entire
volumes and come out still wondering how on earth they are supposed to
use this SNMP "thing."  This book, by narrowing the focus slightly, is
more able to concentrate on that aspect of use.  It is, however,
directed at programmers of network management tools rather than
directly at network managers.

Part one, on SNMP basics, gives the fundamentals, albeit in a somewhat
reduced form.  Chapter one covers some history behind SNMP, as well as
activities it might, and might not, be used for.  Network basics,
including a brief look at components, TCP/IP, the OSI (Open Systems
Interconnection) reference model, and framing, is given in chapter
two.  Network management is defined in chapter three, along with the
SNMP division of management areas.  Chapter four's layout of the
internals of SNMP is fairly brief, but still manages to cover as many
pages as the first three combined.

Part two gets detailed.  The Windows NT (and 95) SNMP services are
outlined in chapter five, including installation and Registry
information.  Chapters six through nine cover necessary programming
information for the extension and utility APIs (Application
Programming Interfaces), extension agents, traps, and the management
API.  Chapter ten pulls the various components together for network
management applications, and adds finer points such as etiquette for
such programs.

Appendices include an excellent and extensive bibliography and other
resources, a listing of relevant Microsoft Knowledge Base articles,
and related RFCs (Request For Comments).

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1998   BKNTSNMP.RVW   980314