Desktop management interface
(also DMI)
Desktop management interface definition
Desktop management interface (DMI) is a way to access information about a computer’s or system’s configuration. It allows administrators to manage and keep track of hardware and software components. DMI is like a standardized language that different components of a computer use to report information about themselves.
See also: database administration, desktop administration, Desktop as a Service
How the desktop management interface works
- DMI consists of a set of interfaces and standards that allow the admin to get information about the system’s components. This includes model numbers, serial numbers, firmware versions, and other details.
- At the heart of DMI is the management information format database that stores the details about the computer’s hardware and software components.
- The service layer is the part of DMI that applications interact with. When an application wants to know something about the hardware or software, it queries the service layer, which in turn retrieves the information from the MIF.
History of the desktop management interface
DMI was foundational and helped standardize how computers report and manage information about their hardware and software, making it easier for system administrators to manage large networks.
Over time, as technology advanced, some aspects of DMI have become less relevant, especially with the creation of modern management interfaces. However, during its time, it played a crucial role in simplifying the management of PC systems.