# Enabling SNMP in Cisco Routers / Switches

## Summary

This article will guide your through the steps to enable SNMP in Cisco Routers and Switches

## Description

1. Telnet to the router/switch

   ```
   prompt# telnet testrouter
   ```

2. Go to the enable mode by specifying the password:

   ```
   Router> enable
   Password:
   Router#
   ```

3. Go into configuration mode:

   ```
   Router# configure terminal
   Enter configuration commands, one per line. End
   with CNTL/Z.
   Router(config)#
   ```

4. Use the command below to add a Read-Only community string:

   ```
   Router(config)# snmp-server community public RO
   ```

   where "public" is the Read-only community string.

5. To add a Read-Write Community string, use the command below:

   ```
   Router(config)# snmp-server community private RW
   ```

   where "private" is the Read-write community string.

6. Exit the configuration mode and save the settings:

   ```
   Router(config)# exit
   Router# write memory
   Building configuration...
   [OK]
   Router#
   ```

## Enabling SNMP Traps

To enable SNMP traps, follow the steps below in the Configuration mode of the Router/Switch.

First, set the host to which the traps have to be sent using the following command:

```
snmp-server host <IP Address> version <v1 or 2c> <RO community string>
```

Where:

- `<IP Address>` refers to the IP Address of the device to which the traps have to be sent  
- `<v1 or 2c>` refers to the SNMP version  
- `<RO community string>` refers to the Read-Only community string  

Then, enable SNMP Traps using the command below:

```
snmp-server enable traps [notification-type] [notification-option]
```

Example:

```
snmp-server enable traps config
```

This will send all configuration notifications as traps.