Network devices running SNMP can proactively report traps to help network administrators detect faults in a timely manner.

A core feature of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is the ability of a managed device (an SNMP agent) to send unsolicited messages, known as traps, to a network management station (NMS). Unlike polling (GET requests), which is initiated by the NMS, traps are initiated by the agent. They are triggered by predefined events or significant state changes on the device, such as an interface going down, high CPU utilization, or a device reboot. This proactive notification mechanism allows network administrators to be alerted to faults and other important events in near real-time, enabling timely intervention.

This is a True/False question. The statement accurately describes the function of SNMP traps, so the 'False' option is incorrect. The primary purpose of traps is indeed proactive fault detection.

1. Huawei. (2020). HCIA-Datacom V1.0 Training Material (H12-811). Section: Network Management and O&M, Subsection: SNMP Principles. "SNMP provides two modes for a device to report information to the NMS: polling mode and trap mode. In trap mode, an agent can send traps to the NMS to report important events, such as faults or alarms, in a timely manner."

2. Case, J., Fedor, M., Schoffstall, M., & Davin, J. (1990). RFC 1157: A Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). IETF. Section 4.2. This foundational RFC defines the trap PDU as a means for an SNMP agent to notify the manager of an "extraordinary event".

3. Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 9: Network Management. The text describes SNMP operations, distinguishing between manager-to-agent requests (GetRequest, SetRequest) and agent-to-manager notifications (Trap).