SNMP
Simple Network Management Protocol
A widely used network management tool for monitoring that exposes data in variable form in a hierarchical tree-like structure. These variables can be queried and potentially manipulated.
SNMP is a component of IP Suite defined by IETF
it includes: An app layer protocol, a database schema and a set of data objects
managers: administrative computers that monitor/manage groups of hosts
agents: systems that execute and report information through SNMP to managers
Consists of 3 key components:
Managed devices
Agents
NMS: Network Management Station: Software that runs the manager
SNMP can handle configuration tasks and settings remotely, so it's enabled on hardware a lot
This includes: routers, switches, servers, IoT devices, etc...
Cmds are transmitted over UDP port 161, but enables use of traps on 162
Clients can set specific values in devices/change settings with cmds
The client requests info from the server
Packets are sent from the SNMP server to clients without explicit requests
SNMP Trap: Sent to a client once a specific event occurs server-side
Traps are for security monitoring purposes
The first version of the protocol: Still used in many networks
Supports retrieval of info from devices, allows for configuration, and provides traps
No built-in authentication: Doesn't support encryption
Anyone accessing the network can read/modify data: Data is in plain textSNMPv2
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