This chapter covers
- Managing network devices with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
- The SNMP network management station and its managed devices
- The three main versions of SNMP
- Securing SNMP with passwords, user authentication, and encryption
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is, as the name states, a protocol that facilitates the management of networks—specifically, the management of the devices that make up the network. Whether it is simple is perhaps subjective; like most topics, there is plenty of complexity to be found if you dig deep enough!
SNMP allows an admin to centrally monitor the status of devices, trigger alerts for specific events, and even modify device configurations without having to log into a device’s CLI. Various types of devices can be managed using SNMP: network devices, like routers and switches; servers; user devices, like PCs and laptops; printers; and many more. For our purposes, we will focus on managing Cisco routers and switches with SNMP.
SNMP is CCNA exam topic 4.4: Explain the function of SNMP in network operations. It’s a CCNA exam topic for a good reason: SNMP is widely used in networks of all sizes to provide real-time monitoring and management capabilities that are essential to modern network operations.