Remote Command Interface (Rci); Snmp - Digi Connect Wi-SP User Manual

Configuration, monitoring, and administration
descriptions and examples of entering configuration commands from the command-line interface. In
addition, you can access online help for the commands by issuing the help and ? commands.

Remote Command Interface (RCI)

The Remote Command Interface (RCI) is a programmatic interface for configuring and controlling Digi
devices. RCI is an XML-based request/response protocol that allows a caller to query and modify
device configurations, access statistics, reboot the device, and reset the device to factory defaults.
Unlike other configuration interfaces that are designed for a user, such as the command-line or web
interfaces, a program can use RCI. RCI access consists of program calls. For example, a custom
application running on a computer that monitors and controls an installation of many Digi devices.
You can use RCI to create a custom configuration user interface, or utilities that configure or initialize
devices through external programs or scripts.
RCI uses HTTP as the underlying transport protocol. Depending on the network configuration, use of
HTTP as a transport protocol could be blocked by some firewalls.
RCI is quite complex to use, requiring users to phrase configuration requests in Extensible Markup
Language (XML) format. It is a "power-user" option, intended for users who develop their own user
interfaces, or implement embedded control (and thus potentially using RCI over serial) than for end-
users with limited knowledge of device programming.
Not all actions in the web interface have direct equivalents in RCI.
For more details on RCI, see the Digi Connect Integration Kit and the Remote Command Interface (RCI)
Specification.

SNMP

Use SNMP to manage and monitor network devices. SNMP architecture allows you to:
Manage nodes on an IP network, including servers, workstations, routers, switches and hubs
n
Manage network performance, find and solve network problems, and plan for network growth
n
SNMP is easy to implement in extensive networks. You can program new variables and drop in new
devices in a network. SNMP is widely used. It is a standard interface that integrates well with network
management stations in an enterprise environment.
However, because device communication is UDP-based, the communication is not secure. If you
require more secure communications with a device, use an alternate device interface. SNMP does not
allow you to perform certain tasks from the web interface, such as file management, uploading
firmware, or backing up and restoring configurations. Compared to the web or command-line
interfaces, SNMP is limited in its ability to set specific parameters, such as set port profile, is not
possible.
Accessing the SNMP interface requires a tool, such as a network management station. The
management station relies on an agent at a device to retrieve or update the information at the
device, including device configuration, status, and statistical information. This information is viewed as
a logical database, called a Management Information Base (MIB). MIB modules describe MIB variables
for a variety of device types and computer hardware and software components.
A variety of resources about SNMP are available, including reference books, overviews, and other files
on the Internet. For an overview of the SNMP interface and the components of MIB-II, go to
http://www.rfc-editor.org/search/rfc_search.php, and search for MIB-II. From the results, locate the
text file describing the SNMP interface, titled Management Information Base for Network
Management of TCP/IP-based Internets: MIB-II. You can also display the text of the Digi enterprise
MIBs. The product page for each product on the Digi website provides a link to the Digi-provided MIBs
for that product. See
Digi Connect Family and ConnectPort TS Family
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Remote Command Interface (RCI)

for a list of supported MIBs.
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