# Why Relying exclusively on ICMP for Network Monitoring is Half-Baked 🍞🤦‍♂️ Network operators love to **talk a big game** when it comes to monitoring, but when you ask them for **actual interface statistics**, they go as silent as a dodgy UPS during load shedding. ⚡🔇 Here’s the **harsh reality**: **Most ISPs and network operators don’t bother monitoring the actual service path.** Instead, they rely on **ICMP probes from their core to the edge on a separate management plane**—a method so flawed it’s like trying to **diagnose a heart problem by checking your toe’s pulse**. 🩺👣 Where’s the **real monitoring**? The **SNMP-based polling of switch ports, optics, and bit rate counters**? The kind of stats that tell you if there’s **congestion, errors, or packet loss** at the actual **service level**? Nowhere. And that’s a serious **lack of due diligence**. 😡 --- ### **ICMP Monitoring | The "Diet Coke" of Network Visibility 🍹** ICMP (ping, traceroute, etc.) is the **lazy man's** way of checking a network. Sure, it’s easy, but it’s also: ❌ **Not service-aware** – It tests a separate path, usually via the out-of-band management network, instead of the real data path. ❌ **Doesn’t show congestion** – Just because an ICMP ping gets through doesn’t mean your network isn’t **choking on traffic**. ❌ **No error detection** – ICMP doesn’t check for **frame loss, CRC errors, or optical power issues**, all of which can cause degraded performance **long before a full outage** happens. ❌ **Path dependent** – Probes typically go in one direction (core to edge), ignoring the fact that **uplink and downlink issues are independent**. It’s like checking a car’s engine by **listening to the radio**—it might work, but you’re missing 99% of the picture. 🚗🎶 --- ### **SNMP Polling | The Gold Standard for Real Network Monitoring 🏅** If you **really** want to monitor a network, **SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) polling** is the only reliable way to do it. ✅ **Monitors real traffic paths** – Polling interface counters gives insight into actual **user traffic, not just management plane traffic**. ✅ **Detects congestion early** – If you’re only relying on ICMP, you won’t see a problem until there’s **actual packet loss**. SNMP shows growing congestion **before things break**. ✅ **Error tracking** – Optical power, CRC errors, discards—these are the **real indicators of a failing link**. ICMP won't show these. ✅ **Historical data** – You can track trends over time, making it possible to **proactively** upgrade or reroute traffic **before a bottleneck forms**. So why don’t operators use SNMP properly? 🤨 --- ### **The Real Reason Network Operators Don’t Poll Properly 💸📉** 1️⃣ **It Costs Money** – Running an **NMIS (Network Management & Information System)** with proper SNMP polling means **storage, compute, and operational effort**. Many ISPs would rather just throw **ICMP-based monitoring at the problem and call it a day.** 2️⃣ **They Don’t Want to Admit There’s a Problem** – If you’re a **lazy ISP** and a customer complains, what’s easier? **Showing them SNMP stats proving a congested port** or just saying **"No problem on our side, must be your WiFi"?** 🧐 3️⃣ **It Exposes Poor Network Design** – When you poll interfaces properly, you’ll find **oversubscription**, **misconfigured QoS**, and **errors**. Many ISPs simply don’t want to deal with fixing their own mess. 4️⃣ **Lack of Knowledge** – Believe it or not, some network engineers **don’t even know** how to configure proper SNMP polling. In 2025, that’s like a doctor **not knowing how to use a stethoscope**. 🩺 --- ### **How to Tell If Your ISP is Half-Baked 🍞💩** Want to test if your ISP or network operator actually knows what they’re doing? **Ask them these questions:** 1️⃣ **Can you show me interface utilization and error counters for my connection?** If they say, *"We don’t have that"*, 🚨 red flag. 2️⃣ **How do you monitor congestion on my link?** If they just say *"We ping it"*, they’re winging it. 3️⃣ **Can I see optical power levels for my fibre connection?** If they stare at you like you’ve just asked for their bank PIN, you know the answer. --- ### **Wrapping up | ICMP Alone is an Excuse, Not a Monitoring Solution 🚫** If a network operator **doesn't have SNMP-based polling**, they are **not doing real network monitoring**. **Full stop.** 🔹 **ICMP-based monitoring is half-baked and useless for troubleshooting real issues.** 🔹 **SNMP polling is essential for detecting congestion, errors, and service-impacting problems before they escalate.** 🔹 **If an operator can’t provide SNMP-based stats, they’re either incompetent or hiding something.** So next time your ISP blames "the Internet" for your problems, ask them for **real stats.** If they can’t provide them, you’ll know exactly what’s going on: **they don’t monitor their own network properly.** 😤 ### **Your Thoughts?** Have you ever asked your ISP for **real SNMP stats** and gotten nothing but excuses? Drop your stories in the comments below! ⬇️🔥 %[https://bsky.app/profile/mastelek.bsky.social/post/3lqwugqkg2227]