UniFi SNMP setup and monitoring
Published onby Iron (edited on )
Managing a UniFi network without monitoring is like driving a car without a dashboard. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is the key to gaining real-time visibility into your network’s performance, device health, and usage trends.
By enabling SNMP on your UniFi devices, you can collect and analyze metrics like bandwidth usage, CPU load, uptime, and much more.
Let's dive in!

Table of Contents
- What is SNMP and Why Should You Care?
- How SNMP Works
- UniFi Devices That Support SNMP
- Prerequisites
- How to Enable SNMP on UniFi
- How to Monitor SNMP Data from UniFi Devices
- Key SNMP Metrics to Monitor
- Advanced SNMP Configurations
- Troubleshooting SNMP Issues
- Benefits of Monitoring SNMP with UniHosted
- Final Thoughts
What is SNMP and Why Should You Care?
SNMP stands for Simple Network Management Protocol, but don't let the "simple" part fool you. It's one of the most essential tools in network monitoring. SNMP acts as a "universal translator" that allows different devices on your network to report key metrics to a central monitoring system.
With SNMP, you can:
- Monitor device health in real time.
- Get alerts when something goes wrong (like high bandwidth usage or device failure).
- Track trends over time, like increasing CPU usage or memory consumption.
- Identify bottlenecks to prevent downtime or network slowdowns.
In short, SNMP makes your network transparent. Whether you manage a small office network or a multi-site deployment, SNMP helps you stay in control.
How SNMP Works
SNMP relies on three key components:
- SNMP Agent: This is the software running on your UniFi devices (like UDM, UDM-Pro, or Cloud Key) that collects and stores device information.
- SNMP Manager: The monitoring tool (like Zabbix, PRTG, or Nagios) that queries the SNMP Agent for device status and performance metrics.
- Management Information Base (MIB): A structured database of network device metrics. Each MIB contains "Object Identifiers" (OIDs) that represent specific metrics (like CPU load, bandwidth, etc.).
Once configured, SNMP enables you to collect and visualize data from your UniFi devices, giving you the tools to make proactive decisions.
UniFi Devices That Support SNMP
Not all UniFi devices support SNMP, but most of the core network devices do. Here are the supported devices:
- UniFi Dream Machine (UDM)
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)
- UniFi Cloud Key G2+
- UniFi Network Switches
- UniFi Access Points (via Controller)
Note that UniFi Access Points (APs) don't have a native SNMP agent, but you can monitor them through the UniFi Controller or UniFi OS Console.
Prerequisites
To enable SNMP on UniFi, you’ll need:
- A UniFi Controller or UniFi OS Console (like Cloud Key G2+, Dream Machine, or Dream Router)
- An SNMP Manager (like Zabbix, PRTG, or Datadog)
- Network Access between your SNMP Manager and your UniFi Controller
If you have a cloud-hosted controller like UniHosted, the process is the same. You’ll just need to make sure your SNMP tool can reach your cloud controller.
How to Enable SNMP on UniFi
This is the part you came for! Let's set up SNMP on your UniFi devices.
Step 1: Access the UniFi Controller
- Open a browser and go to https://unifi.ui.com.
- Log in with your admin credentials.
- Select the site where your devices are located.
Step 2: Open System Settings
- Click the Settings (gear icon) in the lower-left corner.
- Select System Settings from the menu.
Step 3: Enable SNMP
- Scroll down to SNMP and toggle it to Enable.
-
Configure the following:
- SNMP Community: This acts like a password for SNMP queries (default is "public," but change it!).
- SNMP Port: The default is 161, but you can customize it if needed.
- Trap Server: Enter the IP of the server where SNMP traps (alerts) should be sent.
- Location: Optional, but helps identify where the device is physically located.
- Contact: Email address of the person responsible for the network.
Step 4: Apply Changes
Click Apply Changes and wait for the controller to restart SNMP services.
How to Monitor SNMP Data from UniFi Devices
Once SNMP is enabled, you can monitor your network with tools like Zabbix, PRTG, Datadog, or even a simple SNMP client.
1. Using Zabbix
- Install Zabbix on a server or VM.
- Add your UniFi Controller as a device in Zabbix.
- Configure the Community String and Port (make sure it matches your UniFi settings).
- Use the Zabbix MIB Browser to browse the available OIDs.
- Create triggers and alerts for key metrics like CPU load, memory usage, and uptime.
2. Using PRTG
- Install PRTG on a Windows server.
- Create a New Device and add your UniFi controller’s IP.
- Select SNMP Sensor and use SNMP v2c.
- Enter your Community String and Port.
- Choose pre-built sensors like CPU Load, Disk Usage, and Uptime.
3. Using Nagios
- Install Nagios Core or Nagios XI.
- Add the check_snmp plugin.
- Add your UniFi devices as SNMP hosts.
- Use Nagios commands to query specific OIDs from your UniFi devices.
Key SNMP Metrics to Monitor
Here’s a list of useful metrics to keep an eye on:
Metric | Why It Matters |
---|---|
CPU Usage | Detect high load on UDM/UDM-Pro |
Memory Usage | Avoid crashes and sluggish devices |
Uptime | Spot reboot patterns |
Bandwidth | Identify network bottlenecks |
Disk Usage | Monitor Cloud Key G2+ storage |
Client Count | Track active users on your APs |
With these metrics, you can keep an eye on every aspect of your network’s health.
Advanced SNMP Configurations
Want to take it to the next level? Here are some advanced SNMP tips.
1. Use SNMP v3
For better security, use SNMP v3. It encrypts SNMP data and provides user-based authentication.
2. Set Traps
Set up SNMP traps to send notifications when key thresholds are met (like high bandwidth or failed pings).
3. OID Custom Queries
Query custom OIDs (Object Identifiers) to monitor device-specific metrics not included in default SNMP sensors.
Troubleshooting SNMP Issues
Sometimes, SNMP doesn't work as expected. Here’s how to fix it.
Common Issues
- Community String Mismatch: Ensure the string matches on both the UniFi and SNMP tool.
- Port Blocking: Check firewalls or NAT rules to ensure port 161 is open.
- Device Not Responding: Ensure SNMP is enabled in UniFi and reboot if needed.
Quick Fixes
- Restart the UniFi controller.
- Double-check community string spelling.
- Use snmpwalk to test connectivity:
snmpwalk -v 2c -c yourcommunitystring 192.168.1.1
Benefits of Monitoring SNMP with UniHosted
If managing SNMP and controllers is too much for you, UniHosted offers an easy alternative. Our cloud-hosted controllers come pre-configured, and you can access your network from anywhere. No need to worry about updates, maintenance, or uptime. Just focus on your network, and let us handle the rest.
Final Thoughts
SNMP isn't just a "nice to have" — it's essential for network management. By enabling SNMP on your UniFi devices, you’ll get real-time data on device health, bandwidth usage, and more. Pair this with a good monitoring tool like Zabbix, PRTG, or Datadog, and you’ll have a full view of your network's performance.
If you’re tired of self-hosting your controller, let UniHosted handle it for you. Our UniFi Controller are fast, secure, and backed by 24/7 support. If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.
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