SNMP Protocol
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a popular protocol for network devices management. It is used for collecting information from, and configuring, network devices, such as servers, printers, hubs, switches, and routers on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
Very difficult to manage a large network with hundreds or thousands of nodes and it requires a large number staff to monitor every computer. SNMP, which is widely used in local area networks (LANs), lets you monitor network nodes from a management host. You can monitor network devices such as servers, workstations, printers, routers, bridges, and hubs, as well as services such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Windows Internet Name Service (WINS).
Use SNMP management software to monitor any network device on which you install SNMP agent software. By default All Networking devices including Routers, Switches, Firewalls and other devices have inbuilt SNMP agent, we have to enable SNMP on the device to send alerts/traps to SNMP server on which we installed SNMP management software.
Difference between SNMP RO and RW Community String
What is SNMP Community String?
An SNMP community string is a text string that acts as a password. It is used to authenticate messages that are sent between the management station and the Networking Node or device (the SNMP agent). The community string is included in every packet that is transmitted between the SNMP manager and the SNMP agent.
SNMP Community String Types
There are three community strings for SNMP-speaking devices:
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SNMP Read-only community string
- enables a remote device to retrieve “read-only” information from a device. InterMapper uses this to request information from devices on its maps.
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SNMP Read-Write community string
- allows a remote device to read information from a device and to modify settings on that device. InterMapper does not use the read-write community string, since it never attempts to modify any settings on its devices.
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SNMP Trap community string
- used when sending SNMP Traps to another device. InterMapper accepts any SNMP Trap community string.