Which protocol is primarily used for the management of network devices?

The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is designed specifically for the management and monitoring of network devices. It allows network administrators to collect and organize information about network devices' status, performance, and usage, as well as to manage those devices remotely.

SNMP operates using a client-server model, where the network management system (the client) communicates with the managed devices (the servers) using a set of standardized messages. This protocol provides essential features for monitoring network performance, detecting issues, and configuring devices such as routers, switches, and servers.

While other protocols like HTTP, FTP, and SSH are also important for various tasks, they serve different purposes. HTTP is used for transferring web pages, FTP is primarily for file transfers, and SSH is a secure method for accessing and managing servers and network devices through a command-line interface. However, none of these protocols is specifically designed for the comprehensive management and monitoring capabilities that SNMP provides, making it the most suitable choice for this purpose.