SNMP(layer 7) helps to monitor and manage the switches from network management systems (NMS).

SNMP solutions contain three major components – SNMP manager, SNMP agent and MIB (Management Information Base) as shown in Figure – SNMP-1.

The SNMP MIB contains all the configuration and status information of the switch. MIB is organized in a tree structure with branches and leaf nodes. Each node contains an object of information and is identified with an object identifier (OID).

SNMP MIB is stored and maintained in the switch. The SNMP agent also resides on the switch.

It processes the SNMP requests received from the SNMP manager.

• It sends responses to SNMP managers by retrieving required information from the MIB.
• It also updates the MIB based on SNMP messages sent by the SNMP managers.
• SNMP agents also send voluntary traps to SNMP managers. Traps are sent to alert the SNMP managers on events happening on the switch.

The SNMP manager is an NMS application. It monitors and manages switches by communicating to the SNMP agents running on the switch. The SNMP manager application provides command or graphical interfaces to the network administrators to help them manage the networks.