Introduction
By default a WHM/cPanel system doesn’t have SNMP installed, and there is no UI way of doing this. One reason why one would want to install SNMP on a WHM/cPanel system is because SNMP can be used to track CPU, disk, and memory usage, three essential parameters worth monitoring when running a server computer. This article explains how to enable SNMP on a WHM/cPanel system which is typically a multi step process. The three steps documented here are:
- Determine operating system
- Ensure firewall access
- Install SNMP
Determine operating system
To install SNMP, one needs to determine the operating system version first. SNMP installation on CentOS/Redhat is different then SNMP installation on Ubuntu/Debian. One way to isolate the the operating system version is to use cat /etc/issue.
Is it CentOS/Redhat?
The output below is displayed on a virtualized CentOS system:
[root@host ~]# cat /etc/issue \S Kernel \r on an \m
A second step is required to determine the actual distribution:
[root@host ~]# cat /etc/redhat-release CentOS Linux release 7.7.1908 (Core)
Is it Ubuntu/Debian?
The output below is displayed if it’s Ubuntu:
root@host:~# cat /etc/issue Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS \n \l
Ensure firewall access
Most firewalls do not enable SNMP packets through by default. SNMP requires UDP port 161 to work. On WHM/cPanel systems there is firewall called CSF that may be installed. The instructions here are a guide on how to allow UDP port 161 if you have CSF installed.
Log into WHM
ConfigServer Security&Firewall
Scroll to Firewall Configuration
Scroll to Allow incoming UDP ports
Add 161 to the end of the list
Scroll way down to the end of the page and press Change
Caveats
If you have ConfigServer Firewall installed, you might have to exclude the IP address of the monitoring server even if it doesn’t show listed.
Install SNMP
The final step is to install SNMP. Please follow the articles below depending on your Linux distribution:
Contact us should you require assistance with your server or control panel management as we will be happy to assist.
References
https://forums.cpanel.net/threads/setting-snmp-on-cpanel.627063/
https://manage.accuwebhosting.com/knowledgebase/2418/How-to-Open-Ports-in-WHM-Firewall.html