SNMP Overview

SNMP enables users to monitor network devices from a central location. Many network management systems (NMS) are based on SNMP, and support for this protocol is a key feature of most network devices.

Juniper Networks provides many different platforms that support SNMP on the Junos OS. The Junos OS includes an onboard SNMP agent that provides remote management applications with access to detailed information about the devices on the network.

• Managed devices – Such as routers and switches.
• SNMP agent – Process that resides on a managed device and communicates with the NMS.
• NMS – A combination of hardware and software used to monitor and administer the network; network device that runs SNMP manager software. Also referred to as an SNMP manager.

The SNMP agent exchanges network management information with the SNMP manager (NMS). The agent responds to requests for information and actions from the manager. The SNMP manager collects information about network connectivity, activity, and events by polling managed devices.

SNMP implementation in the Junos OS uses a master SNMP agent (known as the SNMP process or snmpd) that resides on the managed device. Various subagents reside on different modules of the Junos OS as well (such as the Routing Engine), and these subagents are managed by the snmpd.