Skip to main content

RMON Configuration

To monitor switches with the RMON protocol, you will need to configure each port to collect statistics and store the data in a local history table.

The configuration is similar for many switch vendors. We will explain the basic setup for two widely adopted Cisco switches, one with a CLI and another with a graphical user interface.

Cisco 2960-X​

  1. Connect to the switch via Telnet or SSH
  2. Login (default password: cisco)
  3. Enable the configuration mode (default password: cisco):
2960>Enable

After you have successfully logged in, you will see the following prompt:

2960#
  1. You need to enable RMON for each port you would like to monitor. For doing so, you need to execute the following commands:
configure terminal
interface [interface name]
rmon collection history [rmon id] buckets 1 interval [interval]

Interface Name: Full interface name (e.g. FastEthernet0/1)
ID: Interface index used in RMON history table. We suggest using the interface (port) number as ID.
Interval: The sampling interval in seconds

  1. Repeat step 4 for every port you’d like to monitor.
  2. When you are done with the configuration, enter end.
  3. You can verify the configuration with the following command:
show running-config

This command will show an output similar to the screen on the following page:

Cisco 2960-X Config

  1. To save the configuration, don’t forget to enter the following command:
copy running-config startup-config

Cisco SG300​

  1. The configuration of an SG300 is possible via its web interface. Default username and password is cisco / cisco.

  2. After the login, you can see the following screen: Cisco SG300 Main Screen

  3. Access the RMON configuration by navigating to Status and Statistics > RMON > History.

  4. The history control table will be empty at this time, so you will need to add interfaces first.

  5. Click on the Add button. The following form will open in a new window: Add History Entry

  6. Enter the port index (usually identical to the interface number), as well as the sampling interval. Make sure to set Max No. of Samples to Keep to 1 (you only need the latest measurement.

  7. Repeat step 5 and 6 for every interface you’d like to monitor.

  8. After those steps, your configuration should look similar to this: Add History Table

  9. Click on the blinking save button on the top right section of the screen to save the config.

  10. You’re ready to monitor your switch via RMON! To do so, add RMON triggers for this device.