Why would I need to set up a Community String for SNMP Traps?

ePMP devices feature the ability to send SNMP traps (similar to alarms) about system events to a configured SNMP trap receiver.

These trap receivers are configured via the Trap Servers table on the device Configure > System page.  

As an added measure of security, operators may configure a Trap Community String which is used by the trap receiver to determine which traps are accepted from a device.  This parameter is particularly useful to avoid unwanted floods of traps from a malicious source.  By configuring the Trap Community String, only the relevant traps are processed by the trap receiver.