Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a set of protocols for network management and monitoring. These protocols are supported by many typical network devices such as routers, hubs, bridges, switches, servers, workstations, printers, modem racks and other network components and devices. Supported devices are all network-attached items that must be monitored to detect conditions. These conditions must be addressed for proper, appropriate and ongoing network administration. SNMP standards include an application layer protocol, a set of data objects and a methodology for storing, manipulating and using data objects in a database schema.

The SNMP protocol is included in the application layer of TCP/IP as defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).