SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an internet protocol used in network management systems to monitor network-attached devices such as computers, servers, routers, switches, gateways, wireless access points, VoIP phones, and etc. for conditions that warrant administrative attention. SNMP provides management data in the form of variables on the managed systems, which describe the system configuration parameter or current status value. These variables can then be read and queried (or sometimes set or write) by managing applications. Windows system running XP, Vista or 2003 does not turn on SNMP service by default, thus users need to manually install and enable SNMP service.

Note that you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

How to Install and Enable the SNMP Service

1. In Windows XP and Windows 2003, click Start button, then go to Control Panel and run Add or Remove Programs applet. On Add or Remove Programs dialog, click Add/Remove Windows Components to open Windows Components wizard.

   In Windows Vista, click Start button, then go to Control Panel. Click on Programs link and then click on Turn Windows features on or off. If you’re prompted with User Account Control dialog, click “Continue”.

2. In Components of Windows XP and 2003, click on the Management and Monitoring Tools (make sure that you do not select or clear, tick or untick its check box to change the existing selection), and then click Details.

   In Windows Features of Vista, locate SNMP feature.

3. Select and tick the check box of Simple Network Management Protocol or SNMP feature.
4. Click OK. Also click Next if you’re in Windows XP or 2003. SNMP service will be installed on the system. You may require to insert the Windows setup CD/DVD disc into optical drive.
5. SNMP will start automatically after installation. But it’s recommended to verify the service status from Services in Control Panel, and if it’s stopped, you can start the SNMP service from there.

   Two new services will be created:

   1. SNMP Service which is the main engine with agents that monitor the activity in the network devices and report the information to the monitoring console workstation.
   2. SNMP Trap Service which receives trap messages generated by local or remote SNMP agents and forwards the messages to SNMP management programs running on this computer.

Windows doesn’t assign any community string to the SNMP service by default, and also only allow access from localhost or local devices. Further configuration is needed to add in desired community string, which act as the password to grant reply to any SNMP request from remote system.