An SNMP agent is a software component that runs on a network device, such as a router or switch, and collects and sends information about the device’s performance and status to a network management system using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The SNMP agent monitors variables such as CPU utilization, memory usage, and network traffic, and provides this information to the network administrator who can use it to troubleshoot problems, identify bottlenecks, and optimize network performance. The agent also responds to requests for information from SNMP management systems and can send alerts when predefined thresholds are exceeded.