Documents

Howtos — MRTG

This document describes the procedure on how to install and configure MRTG to work with SNMP-enabled Cisco router.

OS used: Linux (Fedora 9); tools used: mrtg, perl-IO-Socket-INET6, perl-SNMP_Session, perl-Socket6, and gd.

Configure Cisco's SNMP

• Login to Cisco router and initiate script configuration via terminal by executing this:
  # config t (hit enter key)
  
• Configure Cisco router to enable its SNMP feature, by adding these entries to its configuration script:
  snmp-server community muro RO
  snmp-server community murw RW
  
• To add, at (config)# prompt type, type above entries and hit enter key, and then press CTRL+Z to finalize the configuration.
• At Cisco router# prompt, type: `reload' to apply new configuration

Prepare MRTG

• Get and install mrtg and gd:
  [1] Download the package at http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/9/Fedora/x86_64/os/Packages, and install it by executing:
  # rpm -ivh mrtg-x.x.x.rpm \
  perl-IO-Socket-INET6-x.x.x.rpm \
  perl-SNMP_Session-x.x.x.rpm \
  perl-Socket6-x.x.x.rpm; or
  
  [2] If Fedora 9 DVD is present, install the package by executing these:
  # mount /dev/cdrom /mnt
  # rpm -ivh /mnt/Packages/mrtg-x.x.x.rpm
  # rpm -ivh /mnt/Packages/gd-x.x.x.rpm; or
  
  [3] If internet is available, do the easy way by executing this:
  # yum install mrtg gd.
• Create /var/www/html/mrtg directory by executing these:
  # mkdir /var/www/html/mrtg
  # chown apache.apache /var/www/html/mrtg<
• Create /etc/mrtg/mrtg.cfg file by executing this command:
  cfgmaker
  --output=/etc/mrtg/mrtg.cfg \
  --global "workdir: /var/www/html/mrtg" -ifref=ip \
  --global 'options[_]: growright,bits' \
  muro@router.mu.edu.ph
• If /etc/cron.d/mrtg is not present, edit /etc/crontab file and add these entries:
  */5 * * * * root LANG=C LC_ALL=C /usr/bin/mrtg /etc/mrtg/mrtg.cfg \
  --lock-file /var/lock/mrtg/mrtg_l \
  --confcache-file /var/lib/mrtg/mrtg.ok
  
  Restart crond service to make above setup in effect, by executing this:
  # /etc/rc.d/init.d/crond restart

Initiate MRTG (for the first time)

• To let MRTG create fresh graphs out from Cisco router network devices, execute this command:
  `# env LANG=C /usr/bin/mrtg /etc/mrtg/mrtg.cfg'

Check MRTG graphs

• To check MRTG fresh graphs, open up web browser and type this address:
  http://localhost/mrtg