Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Desktop Management Interface
     
         (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).
     
        {Home (http://www.dmtf.org/spec/dmis.html)}.
     
        {Sun overview
       
     (http://www.sun.com/solstice/products/ent.agents/presentations/sld014.html)}.
     
        (2000-01-19)