SNMP Basic Commands

Managed devices are monitored and controlled using four basic SNMP commands: read, write, trap, and traversal operations.

  • The read command is used by an NMS to monitor managed devices. The NMS examines different variables that are maintained by managed devices.

  • The write command is used by an NMS to control managed devices. The NMS changes the values of variables stored within managed devices.

  • The trap command is used by managed devices to asynchronously report events to the NMS. When certain types of events occur, a managed device sends a trap to the NMS.

  • Traversal operations are used by the NMS to determine which variables a managed device supports and to sequentially gather information in variable tables, such as a routing table.

See also:

Introduction