What is "SNMP Agent" and do I need it?

[july7th]

While installing the latest LAN drivers for Windows 8.1 on my brand new computer, it's giving me the option of getting "Intel (R) Network Connections SNMP Agent". Do I want/need that? Or just skip it or what? Thanks for everyone's help! =)

 

[noidea_77]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Network_Management_Protocol

 

[july7th]

Thanks for the post, Noidea, but that doesn't really help me, unfortunately. I am not a computer expert, so I still don't understand what SNMP is or if I need it or not. Please explain in basic terms what it is, and whether or not I should get the updated drivers for it. Thank you! =)

 

[noidea_77]

Thanks for the post, Noidea, but that doesn't really help me, unfortunately. I am not a computer expert, so I still don't understand what SNMP is or if I need it or not. Please explain in basic terms what it is, and whether or not I should get the updated drivers for it. Thank you! =)

You don't need it. It's mainly used in corporate networks, to monitor the client PCs.

 

[sg4rb0]

You don't need it. SNMP is used mostly for management purposes. So I could get a switch or a router to send a message to my server if the fan failed in it or something. At work I use snmp mostly just to tell me the status of all my interfaces on my network kit. So if an interface on my switch goes down, it sends a little message to my server, which I can then see.