News

DMTF Hammers Out SMASH 2.0

The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), an industry organization advocating the development of interoperable server management, has released Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware 2.0. The latest version of the SMASH initiative provides various specifications for streamlined management.

The previous spec, version 1.0, offered a standardized command line protocol for local and remote management of multiple servers in a data center, regardless of machine state, operating system, server system topology or access method. SMASH 2.0 extends the initiative with support for programmatic interfaces and Web services. It pulls this off by leveraging DMTF technologies such as Web Services for Management (WS-Management) and Common Information Model (CIM).

WS-Management leverages Web services as a common method for systems to access and exchange management data. CIM provides a common definition of management information for systems, networks, apps and services to foster easier exchange of information between systems from various vendors.

SMASH is getting active support from representatives of firms such as AMD, Dell, HP and Hitachi, as well as IBM.

"With the introduction of Web services-based management for heterogeneous server platforms, SMASH represents a significant advancement in interoperable systems management," said Tom Bradicich, IBM Fellow and vice president for IBM's Systems Technology, Blade, Rack and x86 Servers, in a prepared statement.

DMTF has more than 4,000 active participants from nearly 200 organizations and works to promote interoperable management standards for enterprise solutions.

About the Author

David Kopf is a freelance technology writer and editor.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.