Monitoring HP LaserJet usage using SNMPv3 with Zabbix

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Introduction

I use an HP LaserJet MFP M141w multifunction device (MFP). This MFP is quite attractive for home use, as it has quite small physical dimensions, which makes it possible to place it on a small bedside table, or on a table, it will also take up a minimum of space compared to other models.

Recently, I had to print quite a lot of documents, and I was wondering if I could see a report on the resources used. Basic information through the HP Smart app was missing. The application refers to use advanced settings: “This feature is not available for the selected printer. To print reports or view printer information, access Advanced Settings under Settings or use the printer’s control panel”

OK, you can try to view this report in the web interface of the printer, for this you need to be authorized.

Info: The code (password) is located under the cover of the printer, on the side edge near the cartridge.

Usage report

On the main page, on the Home tab, you need to select the Supplies Status menu, and general (summary) information about the use of the cartridge will be displayed.

  • Status: Low
  • Cartridge Application: (c) Hewlett Packard Dev Co LP, 2020
  • Cartridge Zone: 1
  • Approximate Pages Remaining * : < 50
  • Pages Printed With This Supply * : 376
  • Serial Number: 0100733310-2I29
  • First Install Date: Not Available
  • Last Used Date: 20250428

Despite the general information, I want to monitor resource usage consistently and regularly. Zabbix – resource monitoring service will help me in this. This MFP supports the modern version of SNMP – v3, for the interaction of information, these parameters must be configured both on the HP and on the Zabbix server.

Configure SNMP on the MFP

In the Networking section, select SNMP. In the window, check the Disable SNMPv1/v2 item to disable this protocol in general. Instead, check the SNMPv3 – Enable SNMPv3 checkbox and fill in the fields according to their purpose. There is no fixed information here, you can provide any passwords and logins and usernames, it is important that they are then entered in the same form on the Zabbix server.

Click the Apply button so that the actions take effect.

Check settings

To check the availability of the Hewlett-Packard for Zabix, you need to use snmpget and snmpwalk applications. Instal them in one package. Execute the following command on the server where Zabix is ​​installed. In my case it is still my Raspberry Pi.

sudo apt-get install snmp

After installing the utility, run the command:

snmpget -v3 -u ostrich -l authPriv \
  -a SHA1 -A <Your Authentication Protocol password> \
  -x AES-128 -X <Your Privacy Protocol password> \
  -n Jetdirect \
  192.168.99.216 .1.3.6.1.2.1.43.10.2.1.4.1.1

The result of executing this command should be a line similar to:

iso.3.6.1.2.1.43.10.2.1.4.1.1 = Counter32: 687

This parameter is called prtMarkerLifeCount and stored in the OID iso.3.6.1.2.1.43.10.2.1.4.1.1 – its value is the number of printed sheets during the entire time of the printer life, and in my case it is 687 sheets.

Create a new Host in Zabbix

To monitor activity, you need to create a new host in Zabbix. Do next steps:

  • Click Data collection menu
  • Click Hosts submenu
  • Click Create host button

In the Host tab fill next information:

  • Host name: HP M141w
  • Host groups: Select from the list
  • Interfaces: select SNMP from the list and type the IP address of the printer. Port 161 by default.

This information is not enough for the host, because when it accesses the printer, it will need to be authenticated. The authentication parameters are entered on the Macros tab, as the value – parameter.

  • {$SNMPV3_CONTEXTNAME} – Jetdirect
  • {$SNMPV3_SECURITYNAME} – ostrich
  • {$SNMPV3_AUTH_PROTOCOL} – SHA1
  • {$SNMPV3_AUTH_PASSPHRASE} – <Your Authentication Protocol password>
  • {$SNMPV3_PRIV_PROTOCOL} – AES-128
  • {$SNMPV3_PRIV_PASSPHRASE} – <Your Privacy Protocol password>
  • {$SNMPV3_SECURITYLEVEL} – authPriv

It looks like on the screenshot:

Since the values ​​are already written, you can return to the Host tab and open the SNMP block value, in which to select from the SNMPv3 list. Additional fields will be instantly displayed, which can be filled with macro values ​​so that you do not have to write the password values ​​directly.

After saving or updating the information, there will be a green SNMP value in the host line, in the Availability column, which indicates that the Zabbix settings are correct.

Create a new Item for HP M141w Host

It is necessary to click on the items link in the hosts section and create a new item. In the window that appears, enter the following data:

  • Name: Printer Usage
  • Type: SNMP agent
  • Key: page.count.total
  • Host interface: should already be available
  • SNMP OID: .1.3.6.1.2.1.43.10.2.1.4.1.1
  • Units: pages

After that, you need to test this item for the expected result. Click on the Test button and all the necessary values ​​are substituted from the macro automatically, so we have the expected result

This means that there will be a query every minute about the total number of pages printed, but the purpose is different – to get the value of how many sheets were printed and when. Such a function can be implemented through the Preprocessing steps of the item as an expression.

So we need to create the second Item based on the total number of pages printed.

  • Name: Printed pages
  • Type: SNMP agent
  • SNMP OID: iso.3.6.1.2.1.43.10.2.1.4.1.1
  • Key: pagesPrinted.delta
  • Type of information: Numeric (unsigned)
  • Units: pages

Additionally we need go to the Preprocessing tab

  • click add link
  • select from the list Simple change
  • and test result

The result should be 0 (zero) because no changes between previous and current values. When you start printing you can see the difference between old total value and new total value – it will be the result of printed pages.

Add widgets on the Dashboard

I added 3 widgets:

  • Graph – using Printed pages Item
  • Item value – using Printed pages Item
  • Item value – using Printer Usage Item

It looks like on screenshot:

Conclusion

By enabling SNMPv3 on the HP LaserJet MFP M141w and integrating it with Zabbix, I successfully set up a reliable monitoring system for printer resource usage. This setup allows me to track the total number of pages printed over the device’s lifetime and detect real-time printing activity using delta values. With custom Zabbix items and widgets, I now have continuous visibility into printer workload directly from the dashboard. This approach is efficient, secure, and highly suitable for managing resource usage even in home environments.

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