Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

• Proposed in 1988
• Query Information from Network Devices
• Update Configuration Remotely
• Used in Network Monitoring
• Port 161

SNMP Versions

• 1.0 - Plain-text, No Security
• 2.0 - Some Security, but Controversial
• 2.0c "Community" - Without Controversial Security
• 3.0 - Better Security & Authentication

Most Devices Support Multiple Versions

SNMP Data

• Data Presented as Variables
• Some Allow Write Access
• Hierarchical Structure
• Difficult to Read Directly

Management Information Base (MIB)

• SNMP Does Not Define Variables
• MIB Defines Available Variables
• MIBs Vary by Device
• Standards Exist

Protocol Data Units (PDU)

• GetRequest
• SetRequest
• GetNextRequest
• GetBulkRequest
• Response
• Trap
• InformRequest

Community String

• Rudimentary Password
• Plaintext in SNMPv1
• Easily Sniffed via Wireshark
• Security was not a Concern Initially