SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for network management and monitoring. It allows network administrators to monitor any SNMP-compatible devices in their network. The communication between SNMP-enabled devices happens through SNMP messages, which are sent between the network devices.
SNMP manages the network devices using a hierarchical structure, known as a Management Information Base (MIB). The MIB contains information about the network devices, and its components that can be queried and managed by SNMP. Device information and status can be queried, and SNMP traps can be used to notify administrators of any issues that arise.
To effectively use SNMP, network administrators should be familiar with the protocols that SNMP communicates with, like the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack. Additionally, network administrators will need to choose an SNMP-compatible network management tool that can query and display device and component status. Examples of SNMP management tools include Nagios, Zabbix, and PRTG Network Monitor.
