<
standard, operating system> (DMI) A
specification from the
Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF) that establishes a
standard
framework for managing networked computers. DMI
covers
hardware and
software,
desktop systems and
servers, and defines a model for filtering events and
describing
interfaces.
DMI provides a common path for technical support, IT managers,
and individual users to access information about all aspects
of a computer - including
processor type, installation date,
attached
printers and other
peripherals, power sources,
and maintenance history. It provides a common format for
describing products to aid vendors, systems integrators, and
end users in enterprise
desktop management.
DMI is not tied to any specific hardware, operating system, or
management protocols. It is easy for vendors to adopt,
mappable to existing
management protocols such as {Simple
Network
Management Protocol} (SNMP), and can be used on
non-network computers.
DMI's four components are:
Management Information Format (MIF) - a text file containing
information about the hardware and software on a computer.
Manufacturers can create their own MIFs specific to a
component.
Service layer - an OS add-on that connects the
management
interface and the component
interface and allows
management
and component software to access MIF files. The service layer
also includes a common
interface called the local agent, which
is used to
manage individual components.
Component
interface (CI) - an
application program interface
(API) that sends status information to the appropriate MIF
file via the service layer. Commands include Get, Set, and
Event.
Management interface (MI) - the
management software's
interface to the service layer. Commands are Get, Set, and
List.
CI, MI, and service layer drivers are available on the
Internet.
Intel's
LANDesk Client Manager (LDCM) is based
on DMI.
Version: 2.0s (as of 2000-01-19).
http://dmtf.org/spec/dmis.html.
{
Sun overview
(http://sun.com/solstice/products/ent.agents/presentations/sld014.html)}.
(2000-01-19)