diff --git a/modules/snmpd/manifests/init.pp b/modules/snmpd/manifests/init.pp
index 99a5e965dd..e4fa2b3759 100644
--- a/modules/snmpd/manifests/init.pp
+++ b/modules/snmpd/manifests/init.pp
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 # == Class: snmpd
 #
 class snmpd {
+
+  include snmpd::params
+
   package { 'snmpd':
     ensure => present,
+    name   => $::snmpd::params::package_name,
   }
   service { 'snmpd':
     ensure     => running,
@@ -12,19 +16,26 @@ class snmpd {
       File['/etc/init.d/snmpd'],
     ],
   }
-  # This file is only needed on machines pre-precise. There is a bug in
-  # the previous init script versions which causes them to attempt
-  # snmptrapd even if it's configured not to run, and then to report
-  # failure.
-  file { '/etc/init.d/snmpd':
-    ensure  => present,
-    owner   => 'root',
-    group   => 'root',
-    mode    => '0755',
-    source  => 'puppet:///modules/snmpd/snmpd.init',
-    replace => true,
-    require => Package['snmpd'],
+
+  if ($::operatingsystem == 'Ubuntu') {
+    # This file is only needed on machines pre-precise. There is a bug in
+    # the previous init script versions which causes them to attempt
+    # snmptrapd even if it's configured not to run, and then to report
+    # failure.
+    file { '/etc/init.d/snmpd':
+      ensure  => present,
+      owner   => 'root',
+      group   => 'root',
+      mode    => '0755',
+      source  => 'puppet:///modules/snmpd/snmpd.init',
+      replace => true,
+      require => Package['snmpd'],
+    }
+
+    File['/etc/init.d/snmpd'] -> Service['snmpd']
+
   }
+
   file { '/etc/snmp/snmpd.conf':
     ensure  => present,
     owner   => 'root',
diff --git a/modules/snmpd/manifests/params.pp b/modules/snmpd/manifests/params.pp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0808467bf1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/snmpd/manifests/params.pp
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Class: snmpd::params
+#
+# This class holds parameters that need to be
+# accessed by other classes.
+class snmpd::params {
+  case $::osfamily {
+    'Redhat': {
+      $package_name = 'net-snmp'
+    }
+    'Debian', 'Ubuntu': {
+      $package_name = 'snmpd'
+    }
+    default: {
+      fail("Unsupported osfamily: ${::osfamily} The 'snmpd' module only supports osfamily Ubuntu or Redhat(slaves only).")
+    }
+  }
+}