UNIX® Fault Management: A Guide for System Administration

Using SNMP and MIBs

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a standard protocol used for communication between a system being managed and a management application. SNMP, introduced in the 1980s, is now the de facto standard for the communication of management information. Although initially SNMP was used only to manage network components, such as routers, bridges, and hubs, it is now used for systems, software applications, and middleware products as well.

SNMP subagents are the processes responsible for the management of different system components. SNMP communication from a management station is forwarded to the appropriate subagent by a master agent process on the system being managed. SNMP communication is sent over the User Datagram ...