the object-oriented paradigm using a uniform modeling formalism that supports the cooperative development of the CIM schema. The specification defines the syntax and rules for each of the CIM meta-schema elements, the rules for each element and CIM naming mechanism. The specification also defines a CIM syntax language based on interface definition language (IDL) called managed object format (MOF). 2. Schema: The schema is a group of classes used for administration and class naming. Each class name is unique for a schema and has the format sche- maname_classname. CIM schema provides model descriptions and captures notions that are applicable to all common areas of management, independent of implementations. CIM represents a managed environment as a collection of interrelated systems, each of which is composed of a set of discrete elements. The man- agement schema consists of management platforms and management appli- cations, like configuration management, performance management, and change management. The CIM schema supplies a set of classes with proper- ties and associations thus creating a conceptual framework centered on the schema class. The core and common model discussed later in this chapter, make up the CIM schema. 3. Class: The properties and the methods common to a particular kind of object are defined in CIM class. Each CIM class represents a managed element and is scoped by the schema in which it belongs. The class name should be unique for the schema in which the class belongs. Fundamentals of EMS, NMS and OSS/BSS 4. Property: It contains the properties describing the data of the CIM class. CIM property will have a name, data type, value, and an optional default value. Each property must be unique within the class. 5. Method: Methods describe the behavior of the class. A method can be invoked and includes a name, return type, optional input parameters, and optional output parameters. Methods must be unique within the class, as a class can have zero or more methods. Methods with these characteristics 