Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an Internet standard application-layer protocol developed to exchange management data between network devices. SNMP-compliant devices, called agents, collect data about themselves and store that data in Management Information Bases (MIBs). These MIBs are sent to SNMP management stations or devices for storage and analysis. MIB data, such as device system messages, packets per second, or network error rates, can be used by network administrators to monitor network performance, find and solve network problems, and facilitate planning for network growth.

SNMP version 1 (SNMPv1) was developed in the early 1980s. Version 2 (SNMPv2) introduced increased security capabilities and improved interoperability by rigorously defining the specifications for SNMP implementation. The SNMPv3 Working Group is preparing recommendations for the next generation of SNMP with increasing network security as an important objective.