Technical Tip: MAC notification traps
Description
This article describes the benefits of using SNMP MAC notification traps for switch models that support them.
In an environment where a large number of devices and ports are managed, the best practice on switches that support SNMP MAC notification traps is to use these traps, instead of the standard linkUp and linkDown traps, to increase performance and scalability.
When MAC notification traps are implemented, it is not necessary to read the forwarding tables of the switches each time a host connects or disconnects from the network. This is because the MAC notification traps contain MAC and connection data embedded in the traps. Networks using switches in the following situations may benefit from using MAC notification traps:
- An excessive number of switch ports, where performance would improve by changing the trap configuration
- Host connection and disconnection from the network do not generate linkUp and linkDown traps, such as VoIP, where clients connect to the network behind IP Phones or Access Point Management (HUBs).
Solution
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