====== Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)** is an [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:a:applayer]] [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:protocol]] within the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:o:osi]] stack. It is used for monitoring and managing [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:n:netdev | Network Devices]] on a [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:l:lan]] or [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:wan]].

The purpose of **SNMP** is to provide network devices, such as [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:r:router | Routers]], [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:server | Servers]] and printers, with a common language for sharing information with a [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:n:nms]].

**SNMP's** [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:client-server]] architecture has the three following components:

  * an **SNMP** manager;
  * an **SNMP** agent; and
  * a **Management Information Base (MIB)**.

The **SNMP** manager acts as the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:client]], the **SNMP** agent acts as the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:s:server]], and the MIB acts as the server's [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:d:database]]. When the **SNMP** manager asks the agent a question, the agent uses the MIB to supply the answer.

**SNMP** is so popular that most network devices come pre-bundled with **SNMP** agents. To make use of the protocol, however, network administrators must first change the default configuration settings of their network devices so **SNMP** agents can communicate with the NMS.

**SNMP** is part of the original [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:ip]] suite as defined by the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:tech:ietf:start]]. Multiple versions of the **SNMP** protocol exist. The most recent version, **SNMPv3**, includes security mechanisms for authentication, encryption and access control.

Source: [[https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/SNMP ]]


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