# VarBinds in OpManager

## SNMP Traps

The [Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/what-is-snmp.html) is an application–layer protocol for exchanging management information between network devices. This is basically how most devices in a network communicate. In this, the most commonly used SNMP messages are the SNMP Traps. SNMP traps are alerts generated by agents on a managed device. To know more about processing these SNMP Traps, click [here](https://www.manageengine.com/network-monitoring/help/processing-traps.html).

## VarBinds

VarBinds are alert data incorporated into SNMP traps that are sent to the SNMP manager. This data is encrypted and is contained in a typical key-value pair configuration. These key-value pairs are called "Variable Bindings" or, in other words, VarBinds. Each VarBind is made up of a triplet (OID, Data type, Data value).

**Example:**

VarBind oid: `1.3.2.4.5.3.4.2.5.1.3.4`  
type: string  
value: DeviceDown