SNMP is a typical protocol for management of TCP/IP networks in their application layer, which makes it easy to exchange information among network devices, such as routers, switches, and servers. With this protocol, network administrators can manage connectivity and performance, find and solve problems, and provide information for planning and expansion, among others.

Management software does not follow a conventional Client/Server model. If for some operations a management station behaves as a client and devices as servers, in Trap operations is the opposite. For this, the term Manager is used for an application executing in the management station and the term Agent is used for an application executing in the device or acting as a gateway for other systems, that is, a protocol translator.