| Description | string | Captures the configuration information of the element as an octet string (that is, a "blob"). The configuration data is element-specific and generalizes (for any element) the semantically similar Save/RestoreProperties methods that are currently defined as part of the LogicalDevice class.
Various types of configurations can be instantiated for an element, such as a currently running config, a startup config, or other possible configurations. The configuration type is specified in the association of the instance to a ManagedElement using the properties of the ElementSettingData association:
- When the configuration is currently running, then the IsCurrent Boolean of the association is true.
- When the configuration is the initial or startup config, then the IsDefault Boolean is true.
- If the IsCurrent and IsDefault Booleans are false, then the configuration is assumed to be a "possible" config (configuration workspace) for the element.
Note: This class has an "apply" method only with no corresponding "extract". It has no extract because an application or client can query for and enumerate any existing configurations using existing CIM Operations. It is the responsibility of the client to reuse or reapply the configurations that are returned by such a request because the configuration data itself is opaque and element-specific.
Only one "running" configuration can exist at any time. In addition, this configuration can be the only configuration reported by an element. However, elements can also have one "startup" configuration and can have multiple possible/workspace configurations. The configurations can be identical. For example, if a possible configuration is applied to an element (and therefore made the running/current configuration), then the two configs would be identical upon a subsequent query or enumerate instances request. |