An SNMP or simple network management protocol is a tool that is used for accurately

managing devices which work with IP networks. It is a standard internet protocol that is
specifically designed for this purpose. There are numerous devices that operate with or
support SNMP. Some of the major examples of devices that support SNMP include servers,
switches, routers, modems, printers as well as work stations. SNMP is mainly used by
network managers to monitor the operations of devices that have been connected to a specific
network. The network managers usually monitor the conditions that may require the attention
of administration.

There are two platforms that. use SNMP The first one is the real device which implements the
SNMP agent that is used in real situations. On the other hand, there is also a virtual platform
which simulates the manner in which the real SNMP platform operates. Sometimes you may
not need a real SNMP platform before you know how best to improve its operation and
capabilities. This is the main reason why SNMP simulation is widely used. It is mainly
important for studying the actual behaviour of a real SNMP device. The real SNMP normally
depicts data in the form of variables so that the system configuration can be deduced for
purposes of management. Depending on the system configuration displayed by the values, the
management applications on which the SNMP depends can query or set the variables.

In general, SNMP simulator has several features which have an important role to
play to ensure the successful management of the SNMP. However, three of the
most important features are predominant.

The first and most important feature is a

properly designed simulated SNMP agents.
This is an SNMP agent that is designed with
all the features that are possessed by the real
SNMP device. It is specifically designed to
provide a management application accurate
understanding of a real SNMP agents
behaviour. The simulator comes with features
such as an operation user interface and
various tools for altering its behaviour.
Simulators are commonly used for replicating
the behaviour of standard network
management protocol. Therefore, they are
also computer systems with features that
cause network management software systems
to believe that they are actually interfacing
with a real SNMP based network.

The other important feature is interfacing with the network management software. Actually,
this is the entire centre of any SNMP simulator. It is specifically designed for the training of
this software as well as testing the various components of the software in order to ascertain
its level of intelligence and advancement.

Another important feature is the duplication of real devices. In order to accurately predict
the behaviour and performance of any SNMP based device, it is always important to
simulate the behaviour of those devices such as routers, switches, servers, printers and
modems. The simulator should be able to duplicate those accurately by recording them or
able to change them to create various scenarios.