How to check and add an OID for VPN monitoring in PRTG.

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

This article addresses common questions about retrieving SNMP OIDs and demonstrates how to create a sensor in PRTG to monitor IPSec VPN status on a SonicWall firewall. 

What is SNMP?

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a UDP-based protocol that enables network administrators to monitor the status of network devices and receive alerts for critical events. SonicWall devices support SNMP and provide custom MIB files for third-party monitoring tools like PRTG and HP OpenView etc.

Environment tested:

• Firewall Model: NSA series GEN 7
• Firmware Version: 7.2.0-7015
• Monitoring Tool: PRTG by Paessler (Version 12). 
• MIB Management Tool: Paessler MIB Importer version (Version 3.5.8).

Note that the PRTG trial version is available for 30 days. To ensure compatibility, both the PRTG monitoring tool and the Paessler MIB Importer must be installed on the same Windows server.

Prerequisites:

1. Enable SNMP on SonicWall and Install PRTG. Make sure SNMP is active on the device. Refer bellow KB article for configuration details.
   https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/how-the-snmpv3-can-be-enabled-and-configured/170505617080053
2. Create and enable a IPSEC VPN. Refer bellow video tutorial for configuration details.
   https://www.sonicwall.com/support/video-tutorials/setup-a-site-to-site-vpn/5820133544001
3. Download the MIB file. Log in to MySonicWall and download the MIB file for your specific firewall model. Refer bellow KB article for configuration details.    https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/where-can-i-download-the-snmp-mib-files/170503581936826

Steps to check and add the OID Sensor in PRTG:

1. Download and Install Paessler MIB Importer
2. Import the MIB File.
   
   • Unzip the SonicWall MIB file.
   • Open Paessler MIB Imported tool and import the Sonicwall MIB file. Go to File | Import MIB file | SONICWALL-FIREWALL-IP-STATISTICS-MIB.MIB
   • Look for available and desirable OID. On this example we will use the VPN-related entries for monitoring status such as:
3. Create a Partial OID Selection file known as ''oidlib file''.
   • Go to File | enable Partial Selection and select the OID that you would like to monitor.
   • Go to File |  Save Partial Selections As... Make sure you know where the path for your oidlib file is.
4. Copy and paste the ''.oidlib file'' generated by using Paessler MIB Importer tool into the bellow directory on the server where PRTG was originally installed.
   Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\PRTG Network Monitor\snmplibs
5. Add the Sensor in PRTG.
   • In PRTG, Go to Device |  Add Sensor and search for SNMP library.
   • Select the imported VPN OID file and CREATE.
   • Ensure your VPN tunnel is ACTIVE, or the OID may not return live data.
   •  You can edit the existing name.