Which protocol is a TCP/IP-based protocol used for exchanging management information between devices on a network?

• A. SSH
• B. Telnet
• C. SNMP
• D. FTP

Answer: (C)

Exchanging management information across devices in a network is what a network management protocol is designed to do. Simple Network Management Protocol, SNMP, is built for this purpose: it lets a central manager query devices (agents) for status and configuration data and receive alerts (traps) when something changes. Data is organized in management information bases (MIBs), so the manager and agents speak a common vocabulary about the state of the network. Because of its role in centralized monitoring and control across IP networks, SNMP is the standard choice for network management. The other options focus on remote access or file transfer rather than standardized management data exchange: SSH provides secure remote command access, Telnet offers remote access (unencrypted), and FTP handles file transfers. SNMP’s design specifically supports collecting, monitoring, and configuring devices across the network.