Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) OVERVIEW #ccnp 300-410 350-401
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a way for different devices on a network to share information with one another. It allows devices to communicate even if the devices are different hardware and run different software.
Without a protocol like SNMP, there would be no way for network management tools to identify devices, monitor network performance, keep track of changes to the network, or determine the status of network devices in real time.
SNMP architecture
SNMP has a simple architecture based on a client-server model.
The servers, called managers, collect and process information about devices on the network.
the clients, called agents, are any type of device or device component connected to the network. They can include not just computers, but also network switches, phones, printers, and so on.
Some devices may have multiple device components. For example, a laptop typically contains a wired as well as a wireless network interface.
SNMP data hierarchy
While the SNMP architecture is simple, the data hierarchy the protocol uses can seem complicated if you’re not familiar with it. Fortunately, it’s relatively simple once you understand the philosophy behind it.
To provide flexibility and extensibility, SNMP doesn’t require network devices to exchange data in a rigid format of fixed size. Instead, it uses a tree-like format, under which data is always available for managers to collect.
The data tree consists of multiple tables (or branches, if you want to stick with the tree metaphor), which are called Management Information Bases, or MIBs. MIBs group together particular types of devices or device components. Each MIB has a unique identifying number, as well as an identifying string. Numbers and strings can be used interchangeably (just like IP addresses and hostnames).
by IP Core Networks
simple network management protocol
