Desktop Management Interface

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 SimpleNetwork 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).

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Sun overview.

(2000-01-19)