In the slides you mention WS-Management but then you ignore it when talking about the implementations even though there are plenty out there, in several languages, including one that's making its way into the JDK. If you have to make use of work from the "Distributed Manageent Task Farce" as you call it I would suggest theat WS-Management is what you should consider, not the older CIM/HTTP that is usually referred to as WBEM.

You may find this article about the window od opportunity for WS-management relevant to this discussion about an open agent: http://stage.vambenepe.com/archives/137

I am not saying WS-Managment is the solution you are looking for, but it is more likely to be the solution that the older CIM/HTTP approach.

Yes, it is in Vista and in Win Server too. As well as in a growing number of boxes (server and desktop/laptop). And WRT picking on the DMTF, you won't get much push back from me. I've used another derivation of their name in the past, the "dysfunctional management task force". One of my main complaint is WRT to the lack of transparency. The organization is going through major changes right now with a wide expansion of its scope. Things like CMDBf and OVF are way outside of its domain of comfort. It will be interesting to see how it responds and adapt. I hope it does well as this would very much benefit the industry.