The Internet Protocol does not have any network management functionality built into it. The agents are programmed to record interesting values and counters in these variables. Some variables might count the number of incorrect CRCs received or the number of packets sent. SNMP uses a fetch-store paradigm. Management software on a host computer can fetch statistical counters from managed devices.
Management software can reset the counters by storing a zero in the object.
Storing values in certain objects can direct the device to take certain actions, such as disable a line or reboot. In order to receive an SNMP message, which is sent using the Internet Protocol, a device must have a hardware address and an Internet address. This is normal for devices such as gateways and routers, but throughout the semester we have stated that repeaters and bridges do not have Internet addresses. In actuality, managed devices have IP addresses for the sole purpose of network management. Messages sent to the IP address of a bridge are intended for the bridge SNMP agent and are not intended to be sent to another network segment.