Table of Contents

Overview

CiscoView is a graphical SNMP-based device management tool that provides real-time views of networked Cisco Systems devices. These views deliver a continuously updated physical picture of device configuration and performance conditions, with simultaneous views available for multiple device sessions.

The following topics are described in this chapter:

CiscoView Features

Use CiscoView to:

Device Packages

Cisco's routers and switches are referred to as network devices. Routers and switches must be physically installed in the appropriate chassis and connected to your network (using each specific device's hardware installation guide). A software update that enables CiscoView to support new features for a particular device is called a device package. CiscoView uses the device package to display a dynamic panel view of the physical device and all its modules, submodules, ports, and the like.

The CiscoView engine controls and manages physically connected devices via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The SNMP system consists of three parts: SNMP manager, SNMP agent, and MIB. Each installed device's SNMP agent uses sets of MIB variables that you can configure, monitor, and modify (as necessary) using CiscoView and each installed device package's software.

Although CiscoView is designed expressly to manage all devices, in some cases, there are special management requirements that an application can streamline for you, as in the case of stacked devices. StackMaker works within CiscoView to manage stack devices. For more information about StackMaker, refer to
"StackMaker."

Device Package Updates

CiscoView provides support for a considerable range of devices by installing device packages. Additional device packages can be added to CiscoView anytime after the initial product release or installation. When new device packages become available, they are placed on Cisco.com. Check this site to ensure that you have the latest device release. You can add or update device packages by using Package Support Updater (PSU). See "Package Support Updater," for more information. Make sure to review the CiscoView Release Notes for each device package because they supply critical information, notes, and cautions about usage.

CiscoWorks Server

CiscoView works in conjunction with the CiscoWorks Server, which represents a common management foundation. It contains a set of management services shared by multiple management applications. These management services are enabled when a suite is installed and an application that relies on one of these services is opened.

If a particular suite of applications does not use a service, or does not use a service to the fullest extent to which it is available, the service might not appear on the CiscoWorks desktop.

CiscoView uses these CiscoWorks components:

For detailed information, refer to the User Guide for CiscoWorks Small Network Management Solution.