of the architecture: it represents the pivot point of the transaction, with the client simply interacting with the model and the model interacting with the real hardware or software. The model uses the Common Information Model standard; the DMTF has published many models for commonly managed devices and services: IP routers, storage servers, desktop computers, etc. for most operations, the WBEM server determines from the model that it needs to communicate with the actual hardware or software. So-called "providers" handle the interaction: small pieces of code interface between the WBEM server (using a standardised interface known as CMPI) and the real hardware or software. Because the interface is well-defined and the number of types of call is small, it is normally easy to write providers. In particular, the writer of the provider knows nothing of the GUI, BUI, or CLI used by the operator. WBEM specifications Mappings URI (WBEM URI Mapping Specification 1.0) XML (xmlCIM as used in CIM-XML) XML (WS-CIM as used in WS-Management) UML Protocols CIM-XML WS-Management CIM-RS Discovery SLP (WBEM Discovery using SLP; SLP Template) Query Language CQL (CIM Query Language 1.0) FQL (Filter Query Language 1.0) Implementing support So, which pieces of this does a device manufacturer or service provider have to write? Firstly the model. This is normally done by extending as necessary one of the standard models published by the DMTF. Then the BUI, GUI, or CLI. The client and server usually do not need to be written because there are many open-source and commercial implementations available (see External links below) Then the providers In summary, the WBEM architecture allows the manufacturer of a device or developer of a service to provide a standards-compliant management interface to that device simply and cheaply. Implementations WBEM in operating systems Apple Inc. uses an implementation of WBEM in its Apple Remote Desktop management tool, and Mac OS X clients ship with support for Remote Management. Hewlett Packard has included WBEM Services CORE Product in the HP-UX operating system (with all operating environments) since version 11iv1 and OpenVMS V8.3-1H1 and V8.4 IBM ships support in z/OS and AIX. Microsoft has developed the WMI technology and has included it in Microsoft Windows Red Hat ships OpenPegasus as part of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Oracle has WBEM-Services for the Solaris operating environment Ubuntu ships with an updated CIM instrumentation stack, powered by the latest version of the lightweight CIMOM, SBLIM