SNMP 625SNMP Overview The following sections provide an overview of SNMP.Manager/Agent OperationSNMP communication requires a manager (the station that is managingnetwork devices) and an agent (the software in the devices that talks tomanagement station). SNMP provides the language and the rules that themanager and agent use to communicate.Managers can discover agents:n Through autodiscovery tools on Network Management Platforms(such as HP OpenView Network Node Manager)n When you manually enter IP addresses of the devices that you want tomanageFor agents to discover their managers, you must provide the agent withthe IP address of the management station or stations.Managers send requests to agents (either to send information or to set aparameter), and agents provide the requested data or set the parameter.Agents can also send information to the managers (without beingrequested by the managers) through trap messages, which inform themanager that certain events have occurred.SNMP MessagesSNMP supports queries (called messages) that allow the protocol totransmit information between the managers and the agents. Types ofSNMP messages:n Get and Get-next — The management station requests an agent toreport information.n Set — The management station requests an agent to change one ofits parameters.n Get Responses — The agent responds to a Get, Get-next, or Setoperation.n Trap — The agent sends an unsolicited message informing themanagement station that an event has occurred.
