The following terminology is used in the documentation of the SBLIM CIM
Client for Java. As a DMTF Glossary document evolves, this terminology will be drawn
from there, over time.
CIM object related terms
CIM namespace
Run-time container within
a CIM server that can contain CIM classes, instances and qualifier
declarations. For details, refer to the CIM Infrastructure Specification
[DSP0004].
CIM class
A CIM class, as defined in
the CIM Infrastructure Specification [DSP0004]. The term is used for all three
kinds of CIM classes (normal, association and indication). The term is used
both for the CIM class object in the CIM server/provider and for its client
side copy.
Terms denoting specific kinds of CIM
classes:
Normal CIM class
A CIM class that is
neither an association class nor an indication class.
CIM association class
A CIM class that
has its Association qualifier effectively being true. Note that the
Association qualifier is inherited into subclasses. Also note that the Aggregation
and Composition qualifiers may refine the semantics of an association class,
but such classes still remain association classes.
CIM indication class
A CIM class that
has its Indication qualifier effectively being true. Note that the Indication
qualifier is inherited into subclasses.
CIM instance
An instance of a CIM
class. The term is used both for the CIM instance object in the CIM
server/provider and for its client side copy.
CIM object
A general term for either a
CIM class or CIM instance. Sometimes also includes CIM namespace in
addition. Sometimes also includes the name (path) of the object.
Phrases denoting whether the objects
are the objects in the CIM server or their local copies:
Note: These phrases can be used with all
the object related terms above.
Local copy of a CIM object
When a CIM
object is returned to the CIM client, the data being returned is called a
local copy of the CIM object.
CIM object in the CIM server
Refers to
the "live" CIM object in the CIM server (or better in the provider). In the
case of CIM instances, the live object represents an aspect of a real world
resource, and manipulation of the CIM instance manipulates the real world
resource.
CIM object naming related terms
CIM object path
General term for a
reference to a CIM namespace, class or instance object in a CIM server. These
object paths allow accessing the referenced CIM objects in the CIM server. The
term does not imply any particular scope at which the object path is unique.
An alternative phrase used in DMTF documents is "CIM object name".
Terms for specific kinds of CIM object
paths:
CIM namespace path
CIM object path
referencing a CIM namespace object in a CIM server.
CIM class path
CIM object path
referencing a CIM class object within a CIM namespace in a CIM server.
CIM instance path
CIM object path
referencing a CIM instance object within a CIM namespace in a CIM server.
Phrases describing the uniqueness scope of
object paths:
Note: These phrases can be used with all
the path related terms above.
Global CIM object path
CIM object path
using a reference that is globally unique (that is, across CIM servers). The
object path identifies the host and port of the CIM server, the CIM namespace
within the server, and the name of the object within the namespace.
Intra-Server CIM object path
CIM object
path using a reference that is unique within a single CIM server. The object
path does not identify the CIM server. It identifies the CIM namespace within
a CIM server, and the name of the object within the namespace. An alternative
phrase used in DMTF documents is "local object path".
Intra-Namespace CIM object path
CIM
object path using a reference that is unique within a single CIM namespace.
The object path does not identify the CIM server or namespace. It identifies
the name of the object within the namespace. An alternative phrase used in
DMTF documents is "model path", or "class name" for class objects and "instance
name" for instance objects.
CIM class/instance member related terms
Phrases defining the set of elements in a class
or instance:
Note: These phrases are stated for properties
but are equally valid for references and methods.
Properties defined in a class
The set
of properties introduced in the class, or overridden in the class. This does
not include any properties inherited from superclasses, or properties
introduced or overridden in subclasses of the class.
Properties defined in the class of an
instance
The set of properties defined in the class an instance has
been created of.
Properties of a class
The set of
properties effectively visible in the class, including any inherited
properties. Overridden properties are contained in that set only once.
Non-overridden properties with the same name are contained in that separately
(This should be avoided, but it can happen in different classes, for instance
when a superclass in a DMTF common schema adds a property that is already
defined in a subclass that is a vendor extension class).
Properties of an instance
The set of
properties effectively present in the instance.
Other terms
CIM element
General term for CIM class
(all kinds: normal, association, indication), property, reference, method,
method parameter, qualifier, qualifier flavor or schema.
CIM client protocol
General term for a
remote communications protocol between CIM client and CIM server. Note that
this includes for instance any upcoming Web services protocol and the new
SM-CLP, and is not restricted to CIM Operations over HTTP.
CIM Operations over HTTP
Name of the
dominant CIM client protocol, specified in DMTF DSP0200 and DSP0201.
CIM client
General term for a component
(usually a class library) used to communicate with a CIM server. Handlers for
indication delivery or asynchronous operation responses are also considered
part of a CIM client. Usually, a CIM client is used by a management
application.
SBLIM CIM Client for Java
Name of this specific
CIM client.
CIM server
General term for a component
(usually a demon) providing a service accessible through a CIM client protocol.
A single CIM server instance may be used by multiple CIM client instances. In
the course of handling the requests resulting from interactions with CIM
clients, a CIM server interfaces with CIM providers for getting certain
requests handled.
CIM provider
General term for a
component implementing all behavior that is specific to a particular CIM
class. This means, CIM providers are the link between the CIM server and any
interfaces specific to the real world resources. It is left open whether a
single CIM provider can implement one or more CIM classes. A particular CIM
provider API is not implied.