Frequently asked questions
What is Monitoring Test Lab?
A free service that creates temporary virtual SNMP devices so you can test network monitoring software without buying or wiring up real hardware. You get a hostname, a port and a community string; your monitoring tool polls it like any other device.
Do I need an account?
No. Opening the lab gives you a private workspace automatically. There is no sign-up, no email and no password.
How long does a lab last?
4 hours from the moment it is created, then it and its devices are deleted automatically. The countdown is shown in the lab. Labs cannot be extended — start a new one if you need more time.
Which monitoring tools can I use?
Anything that speaks SNMP v2c: PRTG, Zabbix, LibreNMS, Checkmk, Nagios, Observium, net-snmp on the command line, and others. The devices expose standard MIBs, so no vendor-specific templates are needed.
To be clear about what we can and cannot claim: the OIDs are standards-based and verified with net-snmp against this deployment. We have not run a certification programme with any individual monitoring product.
Which devices are available?
A router (8 interfaces), a 24-port switch, a printer and a UPS. Each has its own independent state, and you can run up to 5 at once.
Why does Ping not identify each virtual device?
Every virtual device shares one IPv4 address and one UDP port. SNMP can tell them apart because each request carries a community string that names the device; ICMP has no equivalent field, so a ping to the shared address cannot say which virtual device it is for.
A separate shared ping target may be added later. For now, test ICMP against a host you control.
Is SNMP v2c encrypted?
No. SNMP v2c sends the community string in cleartext, and anyone on the network path can read it. That is how the protocol works, not a shortcut here.
Treat a lab community as a temporary test credential: it grants read-only access to one disposable device that disappears within 4 hours. Do not reuse it anywhere else.
Can I keep a device permanently?
Not today. Everything here is temporary by design, which is what keeps it free and open without an account.
Why might I receive a rate-limit message?
To keep the service usable and to stop it being abused, there are limits on how many labs and devices can be created from one network in a short period. If you see one of those messages, wait a little and try again — limits are released as labs and devices expire.
Shared offices and university networks can appear as a single source, so a colleague may have used the allowance.