Which protocol does Service Mapping use to access network infrastructure devices like load balancers and routers?

Service Mapping utilizes the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to access network infrastructure devices such as load balancers and routers. This protocol is specifically designed for network management, allowing for monitoring, reporting, and controlling network devices. SNMP is optimal for retrieving detailed information about the operational status, performance metrics, and configuration settings of network devices, which is essential for Service Mapping to accurately visualize and map the network infrastructure in relation to service delivery.

The other protocols listed do not serve the same purpose. HTTP is primarily used for web communication, TCP is a transport layer protocol that facilitates reliable data transmission but does not specifically address network device management, and FTP is intended for transferring files across the network rather than for device monitoring or management. Thus, SNMP stands out as the appropriate choice for the task described.