Remember to do this is a TEST enviornment first. I am not giving 5500 commands-but I believe they are very similar.
I'm going to go over the 4500 configuration because I believe it is closer to what a 5500 is-- and I don't want to go to the warehouse right now. We use MD5 and DES for encryption.
I would start of by getting rid of any snmp configurations by typing the following. Assume you are in the configuration prompt/(config#)
snmp-server enable
snmp-server bootstrap very-secure ------- this removes snmp information and prepares your switch for new credentials
show password security
-- If it's disabled:
snmp-server user (username) md5 (snmp-string/password) des (snmp-string/password) read-view (view) write-view (view) notify-view (view)
snmp-server view (view) +1
no snmp-server community
snmp-server host (IP of Solarwinds) v3 auth-priv (username)
exit
save config
-if it is enabled
snmp-server user (username) md5 des read-view (view) write-view (view) notify-view (view)
(MD5 string)
(MD5 string)
(DES string)
(DES string)
snmp-server view (view) +1
no snmp-server community
snmp-server host (Solarwinds IP address) v3 auth-priv (username)
exit
save config
There are default views such as root, or nncli. If you want to use those you can but don't type the "snmp-server view (view) +1" command.
The password security in the 4500 changes how the MD5/DES strings must be entered (in some versions) and also is used to change the number of password attempts, acceptable protocols, etc. Something to note, if you entered the "ssh secure" command, it disables Web, SNMP, and Telnet management permanently. Type "no ssh secure" and then "snmp-server enable" to enable snmp.
Username, MD5 string, and DES string is what you use in SolarWinds when you are adding a node. Port is 161. Only check the "Allow 64 bit counters" checkbox -just type those in and hit test/submit.
I have noticed the software on the switches is a little buggy on the 5.1 code (on 4500s). Sometimes we had to restart the switch or type the commands in again for it to take effect. *We have since moved on to newer code.
Of course this is not 100% accurate because I am on a totally different switch and don't know your code version or any details. If you're willing to share (please don't share specific configurations of your network that could compromise it) I am willing to help. Let me know.