What is the main role of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)?

What is the main role of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)?

• A. Managing network configurations
• B. Monitoring and controlling network devices
• C. Encrypting network traffic
• D. Allocating IP addresses

Answer: (B)

The main role of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is to monitor and control network devices. SNMP is a protocol primarily used for network management, allowing devices such as routers, switches, servers, and printers to communicate with a central management system. Through SNMP, network administrators can gather information about the status and performance of these devices, configure them, and perform administrative tasks remotely. For example, SNMP can be used to check if a device is online, monitor bandwidth usage, or alert administrators of potential issues such as hardware failures or unusual traffic patterns. By using this protocol, technicians can maintain the health and efficiency of the network infrastructure more effectively. The other options, while related to networking concepts, do not accurately represent SNMP's primary function. SNMP does not manage network configurations directly, encrypt network traffic, or allocate IP addresses. These tasks are handled by other protocols and tools in the networking ecosystem, which further clarifies SNMP’s specific role in network management.

The main role of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is to monitor and control network devices. SNMP is a protocol primarily used for network management, allowing devices such as routers, switches, servers, and printers to communicate with a central management system. Through SNMP, network administrators can gather information about the status and performance of these devices, configure them, and perform administrative tasks remotely.

For example, SNMP can be used to check if a device is online, monitor bandwidth usage, or alert administrators of potential issues such as hardware failures or unusual traffic patterns. By using this protocol, technicians can maintain the health and efficiency of the network infrastructure more effectively.

The other options, while related to networking concepts, do not accurately represent SNMP's primary function. SNMP does not manage network configurations directly, encrypt network traffic, or allocate IP addresses. These tasks are handled by other protocols and tools in the networking ecosystem, which further clarifies SNMP’s specific role in network management.