Red Hat Bugzilla – Bug 202599
net-snmp-config also configures snmpv3 users
Last modified: 2007-11-16 20:14:53 EST
Description of problem: The man page for snmpd.conf contains the following paragraph in the section for createUser: Instead of figuring out how to use this directive and where to put it (see below), just run "net-snmp-config --create- snmpv3-user" instead, which will add one of these lines to the right place. After much hunting, it seems that this utility does indeed exist, however it is part of net-snmp-devel. It seems, in fact, that it's day job is to provide net-snmp related build options. It just moonlights as a creator of snmpv3 users. It's install time dependencies include: beecrypt-devel elfutils-devel rpm-devel These are not likely to be required on a production machine. The man snmpd.conf man page should not be referencing a utility which is only provided in the -devel package. A single utility which both provides build options and configures users is a questionable design decision to say the least. Ideally, net-snmp-config would be split into 2 utilities, and the creator of users moved into the main package. Failing that, the offending paragraph should be removed from the man page, or at least accompanied by a disclaimer which will prevent users from wasting time looking for it. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): net-snmp-devel-5.1.2-11.EL4.7.i386
I agree. The net-snmp-config also provides this setup command, otherwise it is for development use only. I can either split the setup part into new script (sth like net-snmp-setup) or I'd rather remove the above note from man page. The snmpv3 users can be add into snmpd.conf by hand, like other snmp users. This is only helper script which simplifies the procedure. I leave the decision up to you, whatever suits customer better :)
I'm happy to update the man page.
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux maintenance release. Product Management has requested further review of this request by Red Hat Engineering, for potential inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Update release for currently deployed products. This request is not yet committed for inclusion in an Update release.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2007-0738.html