SNMP Overview

As a network management standard protocol used on TCP/IP networks, The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) uses a central computer (NMS) that runs network management software to manage network elements.

In a large network, it is very difficult for network administrator to detect, locate and rectify the fault as the devices does not report the fault. This affects maintenance efficiency and increases maintenance workload. To solve this problem, equipment vendors have provided network management functions in some products. Then the administrator can query the status of remote devices, and devices can send traps to the NMS in the case of particular events.

SNMP is an application layer protocol that defines the transmission of management information between the NMS and the managed devices. SNMP defines operations that the NMS can perform on managed devices and enables devices to report traps upon a fault.