Overview of SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a network management protocol frequently used in TCP/IP networks to monitor and manage computers and other devices (such as printers) connected to the network. SNMP is supported in Windows NT Server and Windows NT Workstation by the SNMP service.

As part of the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite, SNMP is defined in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comments (RFCs) 1155, 1157, and 1213. The following table describes these RFCs.

Table 11.1 Titles and Descriptions of RFCs Defining SNMP

RFC #

Title

Description

1155

Structure and Identification of Management Information for TCP/IP-based Internets

Defines the structure used to define data objects in a MIB.

1157

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Defines SNMP communication formats and operations.

1213

Management Information Base for Network Management of TCP/IP-based Internets: MIB-II

Defines basic and industry-common types of managed-objects.