Essential Guide to SNMP MIB Development, Use, and Diagnosis. The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) allows Managers (software) to communicate with Agents (also software) on network-managed devices, to collect status, for configuration and control, and to receive unsolicited events (traps). A MIB (Management Information Base) is a file containing syntax defining data objects to be managed and traps to be sent. MIB objects and their values are the focus of the protocol. Simplicity of SNMP is the reason for its initial and continued success -- simple MIB objects define information sent using a simple message set. Yet it is flexible and scalable, used to manage small networks as well as large, distributed networks. This handbook is intended for developers (MIB and agent designers) and end-users (network engineers and IT-management specialists). It serves as an instructional manual and as a reference, and contains case descriptions, examples, practical advice, clear descriptions of standards, user exercises and quiz questions. It is an important book for anyone involved with SNMP, suitable for those new to the protocol as well as for experienced practitioners.