An SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) alert is a notification message sent by a device (such as a router, switch or server) to a network management system (NMS) when an event occurs. The alert contains information about the event, such as the type, location and severity of the issue, and is used by network administrators to monitor and troubleshoot network problems in real-time. SNMP alerts can be triggered by various events, including device failures, performance degradation, and security breaches. They can also be configured to send notifications by email or text message to alert the network administrator if a critical event occurs.