Systems Management Protocols

MIF

Files that contain information structured to Management Information Format (MIF) guidelines are known as MIF files. Conceptually, an MIF file is similar to an SNMP MIB. However, an MIF can be implemented as a simple text file (for static configuration data) or as a combination of a text file and component agents (executable software for dynamic fault and performance data). Vendors select the implementation manner that suits their engineering budget and meets their customers' needs.

A MIF file describes a product's manageable attributes, organized into logical groups. The MIF definition provides structured, hierarchical, and human-readable field descriptions that make browsing for generic device management information much more intuitive than possible with an MIB. MIF files are formatted in ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), readable by any simple text editor. MIF information is added to a managed node's MIF database as soon as the component is installed – there is no need to compile the MIF as with the MIBs in SNMP.

The first MIF groups and attributes developed by DMTF-sponsored working committees addressed the basic components of desktop computer systems. The MIF then evolved to include standard descriptions for a growing list of systems, components, and attributes.

Types of MIFs

Regardless of whether the MIF is implemented as a simple text file or as a combination text file and component agents, there are two types of MIFs:

Standard MIFs Standardized by the DMTF but developed by working committees of companies, these MIFs describe the static attributes of industry-standard PCs, network adapters, and printers. New working committees will develop standard MIFs for additional components such as server hardware, operating systems and application software.

Vendor MIFs These MIFs represent features that are unique to an individual vendor's product or product line.

When a manageable component is added to a DMI-manageable desktop PC, the component's MIF is installed into the MIF database (a set-up program, provided by the component vendor, that makes a call to the CI API during the driver installation process). The DMI compiles the MIF file into a format that is used by the DMI software to respond to requests for management information. This compiled form is stored in the MIF database.