The private(4) subtree is used to identify objects defined unilaterally. Administration of the private(4) subtree is delegated by the IAB to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority for the Internet. Initially, this subtree has at least one child:
enterprises OBJECT IDENTIFIER ::= { private 1 }
The enterprises(1) subtree is used, among other things, to permit parties providing networking subsystems to register models of their products.
Upon receiving a subtree, the enterprise may, for example, define new MIB objects in this subtree. In addition, it is strongly recommended that the enterprise will also register its networking subsystems under this subtree, in order to provide an unambiguous identification mechanism for use in management protocols. For example, if the "Flintstones, Inc." enterprise produced networking subsystems, then they could request a node under the enterprises subtree from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Such a node might be numbered:
1.3.6.1.4.1.42
The "Flintstones, Inc." enterprise might then register their "Fred Router" under the name of:
1.3.6.1.4.1.42.1.1