Actually, there are a number of working alternatives to SNMP, rival
management architectures that are far superior to SNMP in almost every functional aspect. Some of them are
TMN (Telecommunications Management Network, designed by the
ITU),
CORBA-based management (developmed by the
OMG) and
Sun Microsystem's
JMAPI.
However, none of them has gained the universal acceptance that SNMP has, except in specialized fields (TMN is actually in widespread use in Telcos). The reason: the alternatives are too complex (and yes, SNMP is simple, very simple, in comparison), which makes them difficult to implement and support. Keep in mind that a management architecture is useless if it is not extensively supported by most, if not all, of your hard- and software. This requires cooperation by a large number of independant and competing vendors, something about as easy to achieve as a military parade with cats.