Methods and apparatus for optimizing network management traffic using dynamic SNMP packet resizing

An apparatus and method for improving efficiency of data transfer utilizing packet resizing to optimize network management traffic are disclosed. After obtaining a maximum link capacity of a link which is capable of transmitting information, a process of dynamic packet resizing compares the maximum link capacity with a network management system ("NMS") maximum packet size. The outbound packet size of a network element ("NE") is set to the maximum link capacity if the maximum link capacity of the link is smaller than the NMS maximum packet size.