Which protocol is used to monitor and manage network devices like routers and switches?

• A. HTTP
• B. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• C. SMTP
• D. FTP

Answer: (B)

Monitoring and managing network devices is achieved with a protocol built for collecting data from devices and applying configuration changes. Simple Network Management Protocol is designed for this purpose: it runs agents on devices like routers and switches, exposes useful data via a management information base, and lets a central manager query that data to monitor health and performance or to push configuration updates. It can also send alerts when issues occur through traps. SNMP is typically used over UDP, with standard ports 161 for requests and 162 for traps, and newer versions (like SNMPv3) add authentication and encryption for security.

The other protocols aren’t built for this kind of ongoing device management. HTTP is mainly for web traffic and interfaces, not the structured monitoring and configuration functions SNMP provides. SMTP handles email, and FTP handles file transfers—not the ongoing visibility into device status or centralized control used in network management.