DMTF Promotes Use of eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for Standards-based Management Solutions

DMTF WBEM Effort Ties Management and Web Technologies Together

The XML Encoding Specification defines XML elements, written in Document Type Definition (DTD), which can be used to represent CIM classes and instances. As part of the DMTF’s Web-based Enterprise Management (WBEM) roadmap, the XML specification will enable companies to leverage Web technologies to manage enterprise systems.

"XML is enabling industry groups around the world to rapidly define and implement standards for interoperability spanning diverse computing environments and technologies," said Jim Herman, Vice President of Northeast Consulting Resources, Inc. "The work of the DMTF in driving agreement on CIM for managing enterprise computing and networks has made the adoption of XML a natural step."

"The release of the XML encodings for CIM data is important progress in providing a complete WBEM solution,” said Raymond Williams, DMTF Vice President of Technology. “CIM has been accepted by the industry as the management information standard, and now the encodings are using existing standards for the interchange of this data."

XML is a markup language used for representing structured data in textual form. XML is similar in concept to HTML, but whereas HTML is used to convey graphical information about a document, XML is designed to add structure and convey information about documents and data.

The Common Information Model (CIM) is an object-oriented information model standardized within the DMTF for the purposes of providing a conceptual framework within which any management data may be modeled. Allowing CIM information to be represented in the form of XML, brings all of the benefits of XML and its related technologies to management information modeled using the CIM meta-model. WBEM is a set of management and Internet standard technologies developed to unify the management of enterprise computing environments. It provides the ability for the industry to deliver a well-integrated set of standards-based management tools, leveraging emerging technologies such as XML and CIM.

About the DMTF The Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF)is the industry organization that is leading the development, adoption and interoperability of management standards and initiatives for desktop, enterprise and Internet environments. The DMTF is chartered to adopt, create and maintain the specifications and technologies that provide management tools with the ability to discover, deploy and control management data in a standard way. Working with key technology vendors and affiliated standards groups, the DMTF is enabling a more integrated, cost effective, and less crisis-driven approach to management.
Companies interested in joining the DMTF or obtaining more information about the DMTF standards and the activities of the DMTF Working Committees may call (503) 294-0739 or view the DMTF Web site at www.dmtf.org

For more information, press only, contact:
Linda Ferguson, MacKenzie Kesselring, Inc.
(503) 225-0725
lindaf@mkinc.com

Industry Support for the DMTF's XML Encoding Specification for CIM

3Com Corp. -- "As an active member of the DMTF and a leader in bringing extended management capabilities to PCs, 3Com fully supports the DMTF and its WBEM initiative," said David Flynn, Vice President of Marketing in 3Com's Client Access Business Unit. "We are actively contributing to the DMTF standards process, and are shipping product solutions to reduce the total cost of PC ownership. We are shipping DMI-compliant network interface products today, and plan to ship WBEM-compliant solutions next year."

Adaptec, Inc. -- "Adaptec views Web-based technology as the easiest integration point for the management of enterprise computing resources. WBEM provides a powerful information model for future applications, and a comfortable migration path for both OEMs and system administrators. Adaptec has been an early proponent of this approach, and continues to invest in its success." Tom Marmen, Vice President of Adaptec's Enterprise Storage Group

BMC Software-- "WBEM comprises a set of standards intended to simplify, yet enhance, the management of enterprises," said Bob Kruger, vice president of Windows NT solutions for BMC Software. "As a founding member of WBEM, we're pleased to have the DMTF take charge of the WBEM initiative which will ensure vendor neutral specifications and rich implementations based upon those specifications. These standards are central to BMC Software’s solutions which focus on delivering maximum availability, performance, and recoverability of enterprise applications and data."

Cisco Systems, Inc.-- "The release of this specification for XML encoding of CIM data fulfills our original vision of Web Based Enterprise Management," said Jim Turner, senior manager of partnerships for the Enterprise Management Business Unit at Cisco Systems, Inc. "This will help drive the move to enterprise management integration through the technology of the web."

Compaq Computer Corp.-- "The release of v1.0 of the Common Information Model to XML encoding specification is another important milestone for increased accessibility to and interoperability of management information," said Mike Mata, Vice President of Enterprise Management at Compaq Computer Corp. "Compaq is committed to advancing industry standard management technology through WBEM as demonstrated by our early leadership and continuing participation in WBEM standards development, and by our July beta announcement of Compaq Insight Manager XE, Compaq’s industry leading WBEM-based management product."

Computer Associates International, Inc.-- "We see the incorporation of XML facilities into CIM as extremely useful for customers, whose mandate is to access and manage their enterprise systems using Web technologies," said Yogesh Gupta, senior vice president of product strategy for Computer Associates. "By facilitating Web-based management, the DMTF is helping its corporate constituency drive down the cost of managing their increasingly complex computing environments. CA is fully supporting the DMTF’s efforts in developing these technical specifications and, as a superset of CIM, the Unicenter TNG object model will certainly incorporate these capabilities going forward."

Dell Computer Corp.-- "The emergence of the Common Information Model is a key component to unifying the management of hardware, operating systems, infrastructure, and applications. Dell’s OpenManage systems management solutions intend to fully support this important technology for managing the enterprise." Lary Evans, Vice President, Architecture and Advanced Technologies

Gateway-- "Combining the DMTF Common Information Model (CIM) with the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) open document format furthers the WBEM initiative and clearly moves the industry much closer to full interoperability between and among management applications and managed resources. This is a direction whole-heartedly supported by Gateway as we recognize the many benefits our clients will realize with such enabling technologies." Keith Karlsen, Director of Product Marketing, Gateway Enterprise

Hewlett-Packard Co.-- "DMTF’s WBEM initiative is consistent with Hewlett-Packard Company's commitment to deliver standards-based manageability through our HP OpenView solutions," said Olivier Helleboid, general manager of the HP OpenView Software Business Unit. "Our customers continue to benefit from a more unified management environment, as we help build critical mass behind industry standards and cooperation among vendors."

Intel Corp.-- "As early and continuing advocates of CIM and WBEM, we at Intel are excited about the underlying web communications capabilities enabled by XML encodings for CIM," said Lawson Guthrie, director of manageability programs at Intel. "CIM and WBEM have matured to become key technologies in Intel's Wired for Management initiative, which helps vendors create interoperable solutions that lower TCO for their customers. This latest addition will further simplify the connection between managed systems and management applications."

Micron Electronics-- "In our efforts to provide network interoperability and manageability, including our overall Microsoft Windows NT focus moving forward, Micron Electronics sees the inherent value in participating in the DMTF and supporting the XML encoding specification for CIM data," said Dean Klein, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Micron Electronics. "The Web-based Enterprise Management (WBEM) work of the DMTF will enable Micron Electronics' customers to leverage Web technologies to manage enterprise systems in a heterogeneous environment."

Microsoft Corp.-- "Microsoft has been a key contributor to the DMTF CIM effort and has been instrumental in creating the newly released XML specification for the WBEM initiative," said Frank Artale, general manager for Windows NT Enterprise and Systems Management at Microsoft. "As part of our commitment to the industry, Microsoft is already delivering CIM v2.0 compliant instrumentation in the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service included in Windows98, Windows NT4 SP4, Windows NT 5.0 Beta 2 and our WMI SDK. With the XML specification for WBEM complete, we plan to include support for XML in future releases of WMI."

Mind Computer Products-- "Mind Computer Products is excited about the advancement of the WBEM initiative. We recognize this as the next logical step in enterprise management and a significant step in reducing our customers Total Cost of Ownership. Mind Computer Products is currently developing WBEM compliant servers and network systems." Brad Fry, CEO

Novell, Inc.-- "WBEM standardization through the DMTF opens the door for increased customer integration of management consoles, infrastructure resources and devices," said Michael MacKay, vice president of corporate architecture, Novell, Inc. "XML interchange brings the power of directory-enabled management, using CIM/DEN specifications, to the forefront of Web application development. Novell will work with the DMTF to advance the WBEM/XML specifications, similar to our support for DEN and CIM, in the NDS and ManageWise product lines."

PLATINUM technology, inc.-- "The adoption of XML within the overall DMTF framework shows the continued leadership of DMTF member companies in providing an improved solution for managing desktops. At PLATINUM technology, a DMTF member, we are pleased to support the announcement that the DMTF will take the lead in the CIM standard as well. This type of cooperative leadership is essential in providing our customers with unprecedented control of their desktops." Steven McDowall, VP Desktop Management, PLATINUM technology, inc.

Seagate Software-- "Seagate Software views WBEM as a powerful and flexible infrastructure to manage and access distributed data from a central location," said Mark Sutter, vice president of product development, Seagate Software, Network and Storage Management Group. "As a core component of our current product strategy for storage resource and Storage Area Network management, Seagate Software plans to add WBEM functionality to its leading management technologies, including Seagate Manage Exec and Seagate NerveCenter, so our customers can anticipate a quicker response to business changes and improve strategic decision-making power throughout the enterprise."

ServiceSoft Corp. "ServiceSoft is committed to the XML standard. Currently, we use XML for importing and exporting data in our products. In addition, ServiceSoft is actively working on the creation and implementation of the SES and SIS standards, including the development of the XML standards within the DMTF Support Working Group," said David Tarrant, president and CEO of ServiceSoft Corp. "ServiceSoft’s commitment to industry standards and development of cutting-edge technology helps our customers deliver better service while lowering the overall cost of their support operations."

Tivoli Systems, Inc. "Tivoli's focus is on simplifying management of computing environments and we welcome the DMTF’s progress in this area," said Tom Bishop, chief technology officer and vice president of infrastructure development for Tivoli Systems Inc. "Our products currently support both CIM and WBEM and we expect to deliver XML support in our products in 1999."

The Desktop Management Task Force, Inc. is a non-profit 501©(6) corporation dedicated to developing, promoting, and facilitating collaborative industry technical standards and interoperability in desktop and enterprise management for hardware and software.