What is used in network management systems to monitor network devices for health or status conditions requiring administrative attention?

The use of SNMP, or Simple Network Management Protocol, in network management systems is foundational for monitoring the health and status of network devices. SNMP allows for the exchange of management information between network devices, such as routers, switches, and servers. It operates through a structure of management information, where devices send information about their status, performance, and configuration back to a central management system.

The protocol facilitates proactive network management by enabling administrators to set thresholds and receive alerts when specific conditions arise, such as a device failure, high traffic loads, or other performance-related issues. By using SNMP, network administrators can maintain an overview of the network's health and effectively respond to any situation that may require their attention.

In contrast, TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is a fundamental communication protocol for data transmission across networks but does not specifically focus on device monitoring or management. FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is designed for transferring files and is not related to network monitoring. HTTP, which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is primarily used for transmitting web pages and is also not intended for monitoring network health or status. Thus, SNMP is uniquely suited for the role of network monitoring within management systems.