SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for managing and monitoring network devices such as routers, switches, servers, and printers. It allows network administrators to retrieve information about the status and performance of these devices, as well as configure and control them remotely.
Here's how SNMP works:
Network devices have a built-in SNMP agent that listens for SNMP requests and responds with the requested information.
The SNMP agent stores information about the device in a database called the Management Information Base (MIB). The MIB is a hierarchical tree of variables that contain information about the device, such as its uptime, CPU usage, memory usage, and network interfaces.
Network administrators use an SNMP management software to send SNMP requests to the network devices. The management software can be a standalone application, or it can be built into a network monitoring system.
The SNMP management software sends an SNMP request to the device, asking for specific information or asking to perform a specific action. The request is sent using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) over the network.
The SNMP agent on the device receives the request and responds with the requested information or performs the requested action. The response is also sent using UDP.
The SNMP management software receives the response and displays the information or confirms that the action was performed.
This is a general overview of how SNMP works. SNMP has several versions (SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, and SNMPv3), and each version has its own set of features and security measures. Consult the documentation and online resources available for more information on the specifics of how SNMP works and the various options and features available.