Which encoding format does SNMP use?

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) employs the Basic Encoding Rules (BER) for its data representation. This encoding format is crucial for ensuring that the data structures within SNMP messages are compact and can be transmitted efficiently over the network. BER is part of the ASN.1 standard, which is designed to provide a way to serialize complex data types in a consistent manner.

Using BER enables SNMP to handle various types of data, such as integers, strings, and more complex types, in a well-defined way that facilitates interoperability between devices and management systems. This is particularly important in network management, where devices from different manufacturers must be able to communicate and be managed seamlessly.

In contrast, XML and JSON are data serialization formats typically used in web applications and APIs, not in SNMP. YANG, on the other hand, is a data modeling language that works with NETCONF and RESTCONF, not directly with SNMP. Thus, the use of BER in SNMP is essential for its operation and effective message encoding.