The following questions will help to reinforce the information you have just read.
What is SMI?
The Storage Management Initiative (SMI) was created by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) to develop and standardize interoperable storage management technologies and aggressively promote them to the storage, networking, and end-user communities
Is SMI an API?
The SMI-Specification (SMI-S) is a vendor-neutral application programming interface (API ) specification that can be built into networked storage devices and management applications.
What are the "base" technologies that the SMI-Specification is built on?
The SMI-Specification is based on the Common Information Model (CIM) and Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) technologies from the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF)
What year was SMI created by the SNIA?
The Storage Management Initiative (SMI) was created by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) in 2002, to develop and foster the adoption of a highly functional open interface for the management of storage networks.
Is the SMI-Specification an accredited standard?
Yes, The SMI-Specification has been accredited by the INCITS ANSI fast track program and is the first specification to go through the accreditation process without dissenting comments from the reviewers.
What is the name of the formal standard?
The name of the formal standard is ANSI INCITS 388-2004, American National Standard for Information Technology – Storage
What is SMI-Lab?
The SMI-Lab program is an industry-wide collaborative program that helps companies accelerate the development and implementation of SMI-S based Client and Agent products from SNIA member companies.
What is the SNIA Conformance Test Program (SNIA-CTP) and when was it created?
In 2003 the SNIA created the Conformance Test Program (CTP) to test vendor conformance to the SMI-Specification and support the adoption of SMI enabled products.
When did the SNIA first announce member companies passing CTP?
In 2004,the SNIA announcesd the first round of products to have passed the CTP for the SMI-S 1.0.2 including over 100 products from 14 member companies.
What are three benefits of SMI for Vendors?
The three benefits for Vendors adopting SMI include:
Accelerated Development
New Opportunities
Time and Cost Reductions
How does SMI benefit End Users?
SMI benefits for End Users that purchase and implement products that conform to the SMI-S include:
Increased Flexibility/Freedom of Choice
Reduced Management Costs
Reduced Overhead
Faster Implementation Times
Long Term Investment Protection
How can someone get involved with SMI?
The first step to getting involved with SMI is to join the SNIA. Once a member there are a number of working groups and committees that someone wanting to get involved with SMI can join.
Is there a list of companies and products that have passed CTP?
Yes, there is a list of the vendor's products that have passed SNIA-CTP maintained on the SNIA web site here
Is there an avenue for asking specific SMI related questions?
Yes, there is an "Ask the SMF Experts" email form here
