HP WBEM Services Software Developer's Kit for HP-UX Provider and Client Developer's Guide A.01

Client Implementation
Client Development Best Practices
Chapter 5 103
Client Development Best Practices
This section describes several best practices for the development of
WBEM client applications.
Using Provider Data Sheets
Provider Data Sheets (PDSs) greatly help an implementer of client
applications to understand the available management functionality.
Provider developers are expected to publish a PDS for their provider. The
Example Provider Data Sheet shows the kind of information typically
contained in these data sheets. A PDS contains the following
information:
• Provider Overview (Description, Requirements, Release History,
Supported Managed Resources, Special Requirements &
Dependencies)
• Setting Up This Provider (Installing, Configuring)
• Using This Provider (Schema Supported, Indications Generated,
Associations Provided)
• Links To More Information (Additional Provider Documentation,
WBEM Information, Managed Resource Information, Client
Information, Support Contacts, Migration and Co-existence
Information, Possible Provider Enhancements)
• Limitations, Known Defects, and Performance Considerations
Of particular interest are the tables in the section on Using Provider
Data Sheets. These tables describe:
• Schema elements (classes, properties, methods) supported
• Property values and data sources (useful in understanding the
implementation beyond the general description in the MOF)
• Methods implemented and exceptions that could be thrown
Client implementers should carefully consider the implications of
provider implementations on managed platforms. Differences in format
and content of the returned results on platforms may have implications
on the client application.