towerops/docs/librenms-audit/sensors/dell-comparison.md

Dell Switch Sensor Discovery - LibreNMS vs Towerops Comparison

Analysis Date: 2026-02-11 Status: ⚠️ Significant Gaps - Network switch platforms need attention

Executive Summary

Dell sensor coverage varies dramatically by platform type:

• Dell OS10: 100% parity (excellent coverage)
• Dell rPDU: 100% parity (excellent coverage)
• Dell UPS: 80% parity (missing power sensor)
• Dell OME-M: 100% parity (excellent coverage)
• Dell Compellent: 100% parity (excellent coverage)
• Dell PowerVault: 20% parity (CRITICAL - missing all sensors)
• Dell PowerConnect/DNOS: 0% parity (CRITICAL - no sensor profile)
• Dell Force10 FTOS: 0% parity (CRITICAL - no sensor profile)
• Dell SONiC: 0% parity (CRITICAL - detected but no sensors)
• Dell Enterprise Servers (10892): 0% parity (CRITICAL - no profile)

Overall Assessment: Excellent coverage for storage and infrastructure (OS10, rPDU, OME-M, Compellent), but network switches are severely underserved.

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Platform Coverage Overview

Device Category	LibreNMS	Towerops	Gap
OS10 Switches	Good	Excellent	None
rPDU	Good	Excellent	None
UPS	Power + State	State only	Missing power
OME-M	Good	Excellent	None
Compellent Storage	Good	Excellent	None
PowerVault Storage	Temp, Voltage, Current, Charge, State	Hardware/Serial only	CRITICAL
PowerConnect/DNOS Switches	Temperature	None	CRITICAL
Force10 FTOS Switches	Temperature	None	CRITICAL
SONiC Switches	Temp, Fan, PSU State	Detected, no sensors	CRITICAL
Quanta Switches	Temp, Fan, PSU State	Basic only	Missing sensors
Dell Servers (10892)	Temp, Power, Voltage, Fan, State	None	CRITICAL

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Detailed Platform Analysis

1. Dell OS10 Switches ✅

LibreNMS Discovery: Generic ENTITY-SENSOR-MIB support

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-os10.yaml):

• ✅ Temperature: Chassis temperature (os10ChassisTempSensorValue), Card temperature (os10CardTempSensorValue)
• ✅ State: Fan state (os10FanTrayOperStatus), Fan tray state (os10FanTrayOperStatus), PSU state (os10PowerSupplyOperStatus)

Gap Analysis:

• ✅ Excellent parity - Comprehensive coverage
• Uses Dell Enterprise MIB (DELLEMC-OS10-CHASSIS-MIB)
• Severity: None

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2. Dell rPDU (Rack Power Distribution Units) ✅

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-rpdu.yaml):

• ✅ Current: Load current (apcRPMCurrent)
• ✅ Power: Load power (apcRPMPower)
• ✅ Voltage: Phase voltage (apcRPMVoltage)
• ✅ State: Load state (apcRPMStatusLoad), Phase state (apcRPMStatusPhase)
• ✅ Temperature: Ambient temperature (apcRPMTemperature)
• ✅ Humidity: Ambient humidity (apcRPMHumidity)

Gap Analysis:

• ✅ Excellent parity - Very comprehensive
• Uses DellrPDU-MIB
• Severity: None

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3. Dell UPS ⚠️

LibreNMS Discovery Modules:

• power/dell-ups.inc.php - Physical output power consumption (OID 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10902.2.120.2.6.0)

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-ups.yaml):

• ✅ State: Global status (upsBaseStatus)
• ✅ Count: Estimated runtime (upsEstimatedMinutesRemaining)
• ❌ Missing: Power consumption sensor

Gap Analysis:

• Minor Gap: Missing power consumption sensor
• OID needed: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10902.2.120.2.6.0 (physicalOutputPresentConsumption)
• Impact: Can't track UPS load in watts
• Severity: MEDIUM (nice to have for capacity planning)
• Fix Effort: LOW (1 hour - add single power sensor)

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4. Dell OME-M (OpenManage Enterprise Modular) ✅

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-ome-m.yaml):

• ✅ State: Extensive state monitoring (chassis, PSU, fan, IOM, BOSS, PCIe, fabric, server)
• ✅ Temperature: Chassis temperature sensors
• ✅ Power: PSU power output
• ✅ Voltage: PSU voltage

Gap Analysis:

• ✅ Excellent parity - Very comprehensive
• Uses DELL-MM-MIB-SMIv2
• Severity: None

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5. Dell Compellent Storage ✅

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-compellent.yaml):

• ✅ Count: Various count sensors
• ✅ FanSpeed: Fan RPM
• ✅ State: Extensive state monitoring (system, controller, disk, PSU, fan, IO, cache, enclosure, UPS)
• ✅ Temperature: Temperature sensors
• ✅ Voltage: Voltage sensors

Gap Analysis:

• ✅ Excellent parity - Very comprehensive
• Uses DELL-STORAGE-SC-MIB
• Severity: None

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6. Dell PowerVault Storage ❌

LibreNMS Discovery Modules:

• temperature/dell-powervault.inc.php - Parses text sensor messages
• voltage/dell-powervault.inc.php - Parses text sensor messages
• current/dell-powervault.inc.php - Parses text sensor messages
• charge/dell-powervault.inc.php - Parses text sensor messages (battery %)
• state/dell-powervault.inc.php - Status parsing

LibreNMS Discovery Method: Unique text-based parsing

• Uses FCMGMT-MIB (OID 1.3.6.1.3.94.1.8.1.6.*)
• Parses sensor messages in format: "Sensor Name: Value Unit"
• Temperature regex: /^ ([0-9]+) C ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)F$/
• Voltage regex: /^ ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)V$/
• Current regex: /^ ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)A$/
• Charge regex: /^ ([0-9]+)%$/

Towerops YAML Profile (dell-powervault.yaml):

• ✅ Hardware: Serial number, firmware version
• ❌ No sensor discovery

Gap Analysis:

• CRITICAL Gap: Missing all sensor discovery
• LibreNMS discovers 5 sensor types via text parsing
• Impact: No temperature, voltage, current, battery, or status monitoring
• Severity: CRITICAL (complete absence of monitoring)
• Fix Effort: HIGH (3-4 hours - requires implementing text parsing logic in vendor module)

Implementation Note:

• Cannot use YAML-based discovery (requires parsing text messages)
• Must implement in lib/towerops/snmp/profiles/vendors/powervault.ex
• Similar pattern to Arista post-processing

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7. Dell PowerConnect/DNOS Switches ❌

LibreNMS Discovery Modules:

• temperature/powerconnect.inc.php - CPU temperature
• OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.5000.2.6132.1.1.43.1.8.1.5 (FASTPATH-BOXSERVICES-PRIVATE-MIB)
• Model-specific OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.89.53.15.1.9.1 (for PC5548, PC3548, PC3548P, PC2848)

Known Models:

• PC5548 (sysObjectID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3031)
• PC3548 (sysObjectID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3017)
• PC3548P (sysObjectID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3019)
• PC2848 (sysObjectID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.3028)

Towerops Coverage:

• ✅ OS Detection: Various PowerConnect models detected in dell-powerconnect.yaml
• ❌ No sensor discovery profile exists

Gap Analysis:

• CRITICAL Gap: No sensor discovery for PowerConnect switches
• LibreNMS discovers CPU temperature
• Impact: No temperature monitoring on network switches
• Severity: CRITICAL (common enterprise switch platform)
• Fix Effort: MEDIUM (2-3 hours - create YAML sensor profile)

OIDs Needed:

CPU Temperature: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.5000.2.6132.1.1.43.1.8.1.5
Alt Temperature (specific models): 1.3.6.1.4.1.89.53.15.1.9.1
MIB: FASTPATH-BOXSERVICES-PRIVATE-MIB
Divisor: 1

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8. Dell Force10 FTOS Switches ❌

LibreNMS Discovery Modules:

S-Series (Stack Unit):

• MIB: F10-S-SERIES-CHASSIS-MIB
• Temperature OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.10.1.2.2.1.14 (chStackUnitTemp)
• Model OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.10.1.2.2.1.3 (chStackUnitSysType)

C-Series (Card/Slot):

• MIB: F10-C-SERIES-CHASSIS-MIB
• Temperature OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.8.1.2.1.1.5 (chSysCardTemp)

E-Series (Advanced):

• MIB: F10-CHASSIS-MIB
• Upper Temp OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.1.1.2.3.1.8 (chSysCardUpperTemp)
• Lower Temp OID: 1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.1.1.2.3.1.9 (chSysCardLowerTemp)

Towerops Coverage:

• ✅ OS Detection: ftos.yaml detects Force10 switches
• ❌ No sensor discovery profile exists

Gap Analysis:

• CRITICAL Gap: No sensor discovery for Force10 FTOS switches
• LibreNMS discovers temperature for 3 series (S/C/E)
• Impact: No temperature monitoring on Force10 switches
• Severity: CRITICAL (common data center switch platform)
• Fix Effort: MEDIUM-HIGH (3-4 hours - needs 3 series variants)

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9. Dell SONiC Switches ❌

LibreNMS Discovery: Uses Quanta/NetGear MIB

MIB: NETGEAR-BOXSERVICES-PRIVATE-MIB (OID base: 1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.*)

Sensor Types:

• Temperature: 1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.8.1.4 (boxServicesTempSensorState)
• Fan Speed: 1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.6.1.4 (boxServicesFanSpeed)
• PSU State: 1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.7.1.3 (boxServicesPowSupplyItemState)
  • States: 0=other, 1=not present, 2=operational, 3=failed, 4=powering, 5=no power, 6=not powering, 7=incompatible

Towerops Coverage:

• ✅ OS Detection: dell-sonic.yaml detects by sysObjectID 1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.2.1.2.*
• ❌ No sensor discovery profile exists
• Note: Generic quanta.yaml exists but dell-sonic.yaml has no sensor definitions

Gap Analysis:

• CRITICAL Gap: OS detected but zero sensor discovery
• LibreNMS discovers 3 sensor types (temp, fan, PSU state)
• Impact: No hardware monitoring for Dell SONiC switches
• Severity: CRITICAL (modern data center switch platform)
• Fix Effort: MEDIUM (2-3 hours - add sensors to existing YAML)

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10. Dell Enterprise Servers (iDRAC/OpenManage) ❌

LibreNMS Discovery Modules:

• temperature/dell.inc.php - Temperature probes (MIB-Dell-10892)
• power/dell.inc.php - System wattage (amperageProbeTypeIsSystemWatts)
• voltage/dell.inc.php - Voltage probes
• fanspeed/dell.inc.php - Cooling device RPM
• state/dell.inc.php - CPU, memory, PSU, intrusion, storage controller/disk/battery status

MIB: MIB-Dell-10892 (OID base: 1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.*)

OIDs:

Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.20.1.6 (temperatureProbeTable)
Power: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.30.1.6 (amperageProbeTable)
Voltage: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.20.1.6 (voltageProbeTable)
Fan Speed: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.12.1.6 (coolingDeviceTable)
PSU State: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.12.1.5 (powerSupplyTable)
CPU State: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.30.1.5 (processorDeviceStatusTable)
Memory State: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.1100.50.1.5 (memoryDeviceTable)

Towerops Coverage:

• ❌ No Dell server/iDRAC profile exists

Gap Analysis:

• CRITICAL Gap: No sensor discovery for Dell enterprise servers
• LibreNMS discovers 7+ sensor types
• Impact: Cannot monitor Dell rack servers, blades, or workstations via iDRAC
• Severity: CRITICAL (very common enterprise server platform)
• Fix Effort: HIGH (4-6 hours - comprehensive profile with many sensor types)

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11. Quanta Network Switches ⚠️

Note: Dell SONiC uses Quanta hardware/MIB

Towerops YAML Profile (quanta.yaml):

• ✅ Basic: Some sensor definitions exist
• ⚠️ Incomplete: Not comprehensive compared to what's available

Gap Analysis:

• MEDIUM Gap: Partial coverage, needs completion
• Should match SONiC sensor requirements
• Severity: MEDIUM (affects both Quanta-branded and Dell SONiC)

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MIB Mapping Reference

Dell Enterprise Servers (iDRAC/OpenManage)

MIB: MIB-Dell-10892
Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.20.1.6
Power: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.30.1.6
Voltage: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.20.1.6
Fans: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.700.12.1.6
PSU State: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10892.1.600.12.1.5

PowerConnect/DNOS

MIB: FASTPATH-BOXSERVICES-PRIVATE-MIB
CPU Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.674.10895.5000.2.6132.1.1.43.1.8.1.5
Alt Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.89.53.15.1.9.1 (specific models)
Divisor: 1

Force10 FTOS S-Series

MIB: F10-S-SERIES-CHASSIS-MIB
Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.10.1.2.2.1.14 (chStackUnitTemp)

Force10 FTOS C-Series

MIB: F10-C-SERIES-CHASSIS-MIB
Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.8.1.2.1.1.5 (chSysCardTemp)

Force10 FTOS E-Series

MIB: F10-CHASSIS-MIB
Upper Temp: .1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.1.1.2.3.1.8 (chSysCardUpperTemp)
Lower Temp: .1.3.6.1.4.1.6027.3.1.1.2.3.1.9 (chSysCardLowerTemp)

Dell SONiC / Quanta

MIB: NETGEAR-BOXSERVICES-PRIVATE-MIB
Temperature: .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.8.1.4 (boxServicesTempSensorState)
Fan Speed: .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.6.1.4 (boxServicesFanSpeed)
PSU State: .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.1.1.43.1.7.1.3 (boxServicesPowSupplyItemState)

PowerVault

MIB: FCMGMT-MIB
All sensors: .1.3.6.1.3.94.1.8.1.6 (text parsing required)
Temperature regex: /^ ([0-9]+) C ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)F$/
Voltage regex: /^ ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)V$/
Current regex: /^ ([0-9]+\.[0-9]+)A$/
Charge regex: /^ ([0-9]+)%$/

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Critical Gaps Summary

Platform	Gap Type	Severity	Impact	Fix Effort
PowerConnect/DNOS	No sensor discovery	CRITICAL	No temp monitoring	Medium (2-3 hours)
Force10 FTOS	No sensor discovery	CRITICAL	No temp monitoring	Medium-High (3-4 hours)
SONiC	No sensor discovery	CRITICAL	No hardware monitoring	Medium (2-3 hours)
PowerVault	No sensor discovery	CRITICAL	No storage monitoring	High (3-4 hours)
Dell Servers (10892)	No profile	CRITICAL	No server monitoring	High (4-6 hours)
UPS	Missing power sensor	MEDIUM	No wattage tracking	Low (1 hour)
Quanta	Incomplete	MEDIUM	Partial monitoring	Medium (2-3 hours)

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Implementation Recommendations

Priority 1 - Critical (Network Switches)

1. PowerConnect/DNOS sensor profile (2-3 hours)

   • Add CPU temperature discovery
   • Affects common enterprise access switches

2. Dell SONiC sensor profile (2-3 hours)

   • Add temperature, fan, PSU state discovery
   • Modern data center platform

3. Force10 FTOS sensor profiles (3-4 hours)

   • Implement S/C/E-Series temperature discovery
   • Common data center switch platform

Priority 2 - Critical (Storage)

1. PowerVault sensor discovery (3-4 hours)

   • Implement text parsing in vendor module
   • Enables storage monitoring

2. Dell Server (10892) profile (4-6 hours)

   • Comprehensive server monitoring
   • Very common enterprise platform

Priority 3 - Medium (Nice to Have)

1. Dell UPS power sensor (1 hour)

   • Add missing power consumption OID

2. Complete Quanta profile (2-3 hours)

   • Improve generic Quanta switch support

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Parity Target After Fixes

• OS10: 100% (current - already excellent)
• rPDU: 100% (current - already excellent)
• OME-M: 100% (current - already excellent)
• Compellent: 100% (current - already excellent)
• PowerConnect/DNOS: 0% → 95%
• Force10 FTOS: 0% → 90%
• SONiC: 0% → 95%
• PowerVault: 20% → 90%
• Dell Servers: 0% → 95%
• UPS: 80% → 100%

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Conclusion

Overall Status: ⚠️ Network Switches Need Urgent Attention

Key Achievements:

• ✅ OS10: Excellent coverage
• ✅ rPDU, OME-M, Compellent: Comprehensive monitoring
• Infrastructure/storage platforms well-covered

Critical Needs:

• ❌ Network switches severely underserved (PowerConnect, Force10, SONiC)
• ❌ PowerVault storage missing all sensors
• ❌ Dell enterprise servers (iDRAC) not supported

Business Impact:

• Dell network switches (PowerConnect, Force10, SONiC) are common in enterprise deployments
• Lack of temperature monitoring = no alerting on overheating switches
• Lack of Dell server monitoring = missing huge enterprise server market

Recommendation:

1. Immediate: Implement PowerConnect and SONiC sensor profiles (network switch focus)
2. Short-term: Add Force10 FTOS support (data center switches)
3. Medium-term: PowerVault and Dell server support (storage/compute platforms)