Question : Relationship / difference between SNMP and WMI

Dear all experts,

  I'm new on SNMP and WMI and I really want to know is there any relationship between SNMP and WMI, are they the same?  When I need to use SNMP and when to use WMI?  Moreover, is there any tools about this?

  I would like to monitor my company network and SNMP / WMI can do it for me?  

Regards

Answer : Relationship / difference between SNMP and WMI

Both SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation)
are used to monitor networks

SNMP is commontly used to keep track of events happening on hardware
such as routers, switches etc.
Agents running on the hardware send traps to a Network Management Station
through an Managment Information Base.  The MIB is used to collect information from the agents and also to configure them
For more info see: http://www.rad.com/networks/1995/snmp/snmp.htm

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a powerful tool for gathering information about hardware, software, and operating system components
WMI can be used to monitor both software and hardware.
It can also be used to automate adminsitrative tasks in an enterprise environment.
WMI uses the Common Information Model (CIM) industry standard to represent systems, applications, networks, devices, and other managed components.
WMI Interfaces are based on the Component Object Model (COM).
A Provider  monitors a managed object (e.g. hardisk) and provides WMI with the data collected.
The WMI repository acts as a storage area for information passed in by the various providers.
The Windows Management service acts as an intermediary between the providers, management applications, and the WMI repository, placing information from a provider into the WMI repository. The Windows Management service also accesses the WMI repository in response to queries and instructions from management applications.
Amanagement application queries the Windows Management service for information regarding a managed object and instructs the Windows Management service to send instructions to a managed object.
For more info: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/wmisdk/wmi/wmi_start_page.asp