HP SNMP/XL User's Guide (36922-90036)

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1 Introduction to HP SNMP/XL
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a group of internet
protocols that is a de facto standard for managing TCP/IP networks.
The architectural model for SNMP contains three components:
1. At least one network management station with manager software. A
network management station is a host running the network
management protocol and network management applications that
manage the network. The network management applications
request information from the agents, put the information into a
database, and translate messages into a readable format.
2. Network Agents. Network agents are managed devices containing
agent software. They may be hosts, gateway systems, or media
devices (such as bridges, hubs, or multiplexors). These agents are
responsible for performing the network management functions
requested by the network management stations. They are also
responsible for monitoring information such as the number of
connections and the speed of transmission at their location.
3. The network management protocol (SNMP). SNMP allows network
management stations to manage (monitor and control) network
devices. SNMP is used by the stations and agents to exchange
management information. SNMP describes how agents and
managers communicate and defines the types of information that
can be exchanged.
The SNMP architecture provides a framework for managing internets
and is defined in the following documents:
• RFC 1157 (The SNMP).
• RFC 1213 (The MIB — Management Information Base).
• RFC 1155 (The SMI — Structure of Management Information).
This chapter consists of the following major topics:
• Product overview.
• Concepts and definitions.
• Product structure.
• Hardware and software requirements.