Full form: Simple Network Management Protocol
Also known as: Simple Network Management Protocol
Quick Definition
A protocol used to monitor and manage network devices via a Network Management Station.
SNMP allows a Network Management Station (NMS) to monitor and configure network devices. Devices run SNMP agents that store data in a Management Information Base (MIB). SNMP versions: v1 (weak security), v2c (community strings, no encryption), v3 (authentication and encryption). SNMP uses UDP ports 161 (agent queries) and 162 (trap notifications). Traps are unsolicited alerts sent by agents to the NMS when notable events occur.
snmp-server community PUBLIC ro ! read-only community snmp-server host 10.0.0.100 traps PUBLIC
SNMPv1 and v2c use community strings for authentication — these are transmitted in cleartext. SNMPv3 adds authentication (MD5/SHA) and encryption (AES/DES) and is the secure version.
SNMP allows a Network Management Station (NMS) to monitor and configure network devices. Devices run SNMP agents that store data in a Management Information Base (MIB). SNMP versions: v1 (weak security), v2c (community strings, no encryption), v3 (authentication and encryption). SNMP uses UDP ports 161 (agent queries) and 162 (trap notifications). Traps are unsolicited alerts sent by agents to the NMS when notable events occur.
SNMPv1 and v2c use community strings for authentication — these are transmitted in cleartext. SNMPv3 adds authentication (MD5/SHA) and encryption (AES/DES) and is the secure version.
SNMP falls under the Management domain of the 200-301 exam. Understanding it in context with related terms like ntp and syslog is essential for answering scenario-based questions correctly.