---
type: SNMP Concept
title: "SNMP Architecture: Manager, Agent, MIB & Managed Device"
description: "SNMP components: managed device, agent, manager/NMS, MIB and OIDs, with request flow."
resource: "https://snmp-monitoring.info/what-is-snmp/architecture/"
tags: [what-is-snmp]
timestamp: 2026-07-10T00:00:00Z
---

# SNMP Architecture: Manager, Agent, MIB & Managed Device

SNMP components: managed device, agent, manager/NMS, MIB and OIDs, with request flow.

## Related concepts

- Up: [What Is SNMP? Simple Network Management Protocol Explained](/what-is-snmp/index.md)
- [What Is an SNMP Agent? Role, snmpd & How It Works](/what-is-snmp/architecture/agent/index.md)
- [AgentX: SNMP Master Agent vs Subagent Explained](/what-is-snmp/architecture/agentx/index.md)
- [What Is an SNMP Manager (NMS)? Role & Functions](/what-is-snmp/architecture/manager/index.md)

## Frequently asked questions

### What are the components of SNMP?

Managed device, agent, manager/NMS, and MIB (with objects addressed by OIDs). Transport is typically UDP; queries 161, traps 162.

### What is a managed device?

Any network element you manage via SNMP—server, switch, firewall, UPS, printer—running (or embedding) an agent that exposes MIB objects.

### Difference between manager and agent?

Manager initiates polls and usually receives traps; runs off-box relative to the target. Agent runs on the device, answers queries, may send traps. Details: manager, agent.

### What is AgentX?

AgentX (RFC 2741) is a protocol for a master agent to delegate MIB subtrees to subagents. See AgentX.

## Source

Concept generated from https://snmp-monitoring.info/what-is-snmp/architecture/ — the SNMP Monitoring vendor-neutral knowledge base. Content is limited to what that page states (no external claims added here).