What protocol is widely used for network configuration and management in data centres?

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is widely used for network configuration and management in data centres because it provides a standardized framework for monitoring and controlling network devices and services. SNMP enables network administrators to collect information about network health and performance, manage the configuration of network devices, and receive alerts about potential issues. Its ability to interact with various devices, including routers, switches, servers, and more, makes it very valuable in complex network environments such as data centres.

The protocol works by using a manager-agent model, where a central management system (the manager) communicates with devices (the agents) that respond with network status information. This capability allows for effective monitoring of network performance and aids in troubleshooting. The protocol's widespread adoption is due to its ability to simplify data centre management by providing tools for automation and efficient communication with diverse hardware.

In contrast, the other protocols listed serve different primary purposes:

• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a core communication protocol that ensures reliable transmission of data but does not specifically deal with network management.

• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used primarily for transferring web pages and content but does not play a role in network management and configuration.

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is focused on transferring files between