SNMP Evaluation of Factors

Question 1

Advantages of SNMP: Remote Abilities

Answer 1

monitoring: remotely monitor the status and performance of devices on a network, such as routers, switches, servers, and other devices. This enables them to quickly identify and troubleshoot problems without needing physical access to the devices.

configuration: remotely configure devices on a network, such as changing the configuration of a router or switch, or updating the firmware on a device. This eliminates the need for physical access to the device and can save time and resources.

Question 2

Advantages of SNMP: Security

Answer 2

SNMP uses community strings for security, used to authenticate the manager’s request and to determine the level of access the manager has to the device’s MIB.

SNMP version 3 (SNMPv3) is the current version of the protocol and it added security features such as encryption, authentication and access control.

Question 3

Disadvantages of SNMP: Security

Answer 3

SNMP versions 1 and 2c have been known to have security vulnerabilities such as lack of encryption and authentication and can be easily exploited by attackers.

SNMPv3 improved security but it’s not widely adopted yet.

Question 4

Advantages of SNMP: Scalability

Answer 4

SNMP is designed to work with a wide variety of devices and networks, making it a scalable solution for managing and monitoring large and complex networks.

Question 5

Disadvantages of SNMP: Scalability

Answer 5

Network devices can take time to respond to requests and if greater security levels are configured, this can greatly reduce the number of target devices that can be monitored.

Furthermore: As the network grows in size, SNMP can generate a significant amount of traffic on a network, as it sends frequent requests to devices for status and performance information. This can consume a significant amount of bandwidth, especially on large or complex networks.

Question 6

Advantages of SNMP: Automation

Answer 6

SNMP can be used to automate many network management tasks, such as monitoring the status of devices and interfaces, collecting performance statistics, and triggering alerts when certain conditions are met. This enables network administrators to proactively identify and address issues before they cause disruptions to the network.

Question 7

Disadvantages of SNMP: Automation

Answer 7

SNMP can be complex to set up and configure and may require specialized knowledge and training.

It may not provide the level of control and customization that some network administrators require.