Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

In SNMP, what does the term "Agent" refer to?

1. A type of network topology

2. A software module running on the managed device

3. A physical device on the network

4. A protocol for data transmission

The correct answer is: A software module running on the managed device

In SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), the term "Agent" refers to a software module that runs on managed devices within a network. This software is responsible for collecting and storing management information about the device's state and performance, and it responds to queries from the network management system (NMS). The Agent acts as the intermediary between the managed device and the NMS, facilitating communication by providing access to the device's management information. This functionality is crucial for network administrators, as it allows them to monitor and manage network resources effectively. The agent can provide vital statistics, such as CPU utilization, memory usage, and interface traffic statistics, allowing for performance monitoring and troubleshooting. The other options do not accurately capture the role of an Agent in SNMP. The term does not describe a network topology, a physical device, or the protocol for data transmission itself. Instead, it specifically highlights the software component that serves as the interface for managing the device's operational data, thus validating the correctness of the answer regarding what an Agent is in the context of SNMP.