easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
300-410 Practice Question: Which SNMPv3 message type is used by an SNMP…
Which SNMPv3 message type is used by an SNMP agent to send unsolicited notifications to a manager?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between Traps and Informs as both being unsolicited notifications, but the trap here is that candidates forget that Informs are also unsolicited (agent-initiated) and are a valid SNMPv3 message type for notifications, not just Traps.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Trap or Inform
SNMPv3 agents use Trap or Inform messages to send unsolicited notifications to a manager without waiting for a polling request. Traps are unreliable (UDP, no acknowledgment), while Informs are reliable (require acknowledgment). This matches the definition of unsolicited notification in RFC 3416.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
GetRequest
Why it's wrong here
GetRequest is a poll from manager to agent, not unsolicited.
- ✗
Response
Why it's wrong here
Response is sent in reply to a request, not unsolicited.
- ✓
Trap or Inform
Why this is correct
Traps and informs are unsolicited notifications from agent to manager; informs require acknowledgment.
- ✗
GetBulkRequest
Why it's wrong here
GetBulkRequest is a manager-to-agent request for large data retrieval.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Device Management and Network Monitoring (SNMP, Syslog, NetFlow)
Key term
SNMPv3 Configuration
SNMPv3 configuration is the process of setting up the third version of the Simple Network Management Protocol on network devices to securely monitor and manage them using authentication and encryption.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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