# Device Layer

ThousandEyes' device-layer monitoring uses [Enterprise Agents](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/global-vantage-points/enterprise-agents) to poll your network devices using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

![](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-edf9cba88c2dbc7f1d7ed32ef095b1bb24a4181c%2Fproduct-documentation_device-layer_discovering-device-layer-devices-1.png?alt=media\&token=2e844dd5-3892-4a3a-8986-87be2efe1865)

The Enterprise Agents must complete an initial device discovery process prior to monitoring the desired devices. So the basic steps are as follows:

1. [Configure credentials](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer/discovering-device-layer-devices#configuring-device-credentials) for one or more devices, so that they can be discovered.
2. Launch a [one-time](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer/discovering-device-layer-devices#one-time-discovery) or [scheduled](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer/discovering-device-layer-devices#scheduled-discovery) device discovery action.
3. [View the results of the device discovery](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer/device-discovery-results).
4. Once you have set up devices for monitoring, [view the data](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer/using-the-device-layer-view) from those devices.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/device-layer.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.