Provider Data Sources

Providers can retrieve data from the following:

• Non-persistent data – Variables that are local to the provider class that exist only when the provider's methods are run.

• Persistent memory that is local to the provider – Used by creating global variables in the provider class. This provider memory is erased when the CIM Object Manager is stopped and restarted.

• The CIM Object Manager Repository – This persistent memory is erased when Solaris WBEM Services is uninstalled. The provider must use CIM Object Manager handles and an internal provider to access this memory through the CIM Object Manager.

• Files and databases maintained by the provider, or dynamic data – Providers can generate data dynamically by retrieving it from a system. For example, a provider can make a system call to retrieve the number of processes currently running.