The current state of network management is like going to a party super hungry, only to find platters of micro weenies. SNMP, the most widely available network management standard, is as available as those micro tube steaks but a handful of toothpicks later, senses dulled, hungry, but not so, you begin to wonder if it's all worth it. Where's the beef?

Enter the DMTF (Distributed Management Task Force), preparing, CIM (Common Information Model), and DEN (Directory Enabled Networks). Not just simmering in the background, but a real Benihana flipping of teriyaki defined objects, dripping tempura schema, and flashing of directory stored configuration. It's enough to make you start to think 'yeah I want some of that', some real network management. Something worth the wait.

The promise of CIM/DEN is a common method of representing and storing properties, relationships and uses of networked devices, hard and soft, with the point being applications that leverage this common unified description of network services and configuration independent of vendor. All hopefully meaning that there will be an incentive and method to create good management software, separate from selling hardware. Sound familiar? Like the SNMP love fest of years ago? You noticed. But is it still worth waiting for?

There is a difference between SNMP and the DMTF's CIM/DEN standards. CIM/DEN describes the relationships networked objects embody. This behavioral model attempts to standardize how management in and of devices is implemented. This is a current problem with SNMP MIB objects, often assigned to the most junior developer. Will CIM/DEN be any better? We won't know until there are products.

So far no products have resulted from the DMTF's work, and there aren't many, if any, on the horizon. For the past two years CIM has gone through revision after revision with precious little in the way of products to show for it, with the exception of Tivoli's NetView and IT Director which can scan in Win98 CIM classes (stuff that was already available from any number of PC inventory products). As we have network management vendors visit the labs, I am constantly asking them what CIM/DEN development they are planning, and always, I get blank looks, with referrals to DMTF members within their organizations. These are product folks, so I doubt too many products are going to be rolling out in the next six months.

The DMTF is hoping-no, needing-to get to the product stage. However it is problematic for them: they're a standards body, so they're not defining implementation specifics. Further complicating the issue is the membership requirement the DMTF requires to not only participate in their standards process, but to view the progress of said standards. Small, agile developers, or companies who don't want to join the DMTF, can't begin to align development efforts, until the standards are completed.

Of course the DMTF is aware of this, and does have all of the big boys participating, from Microsoft and Intel to HP and Cisco, so whatever standards are finally implemented, there is no doubt that they will enjoy wide acceptance. But acceptance and products are two different things.

It is also the DMTF's assertion that their closed, members-only proceeding levels the playing field for small companies because it's one vote one company, that is as long as the small companies are members. Keeping it to members only also hurries the process, because comment is contained. Sounds good. I just hope that they begin to include product managers in their process.

The DMTF is also aware that they need to certify CIM/DEN applications to get to the product stage. There is evidence that they are preparing to announce a certification strategy before the end of this year.

So where does this leave us, network management wise? Waiting. Hoping. Hungry! How long will we wait? Long enough for someone to cook up network management worth the wait. For now, it's grab a toothpick, and take a stab.

If you want to get a better idea about CIM/DEN and the DMTF, point a browser at http://www.dmtf.org for a free, fairly complete tutorial.

Send your comments on this column to Bruce Boardman at bboardman@nwc.com.