SNMP traps are used for proactive monitoring, and SNMP polling is used for reactive monitoring.

SNMP traps send periodic updates via the MIB, and SNMP polling sends data on demand.

SNMP traps are initiated by the network management system, and network devices initiate SNMP polling.

SNMP traps are initiated using a push model at the network device, and SNMP polling is initiated at the server.