desktop management interface
(foldoc) | Desktop Management Interface
DMI
(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)
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