This part of ISO/IEC 9596 specifies a protocol which is used by application layer entities to exchange management information.

This part of ISO/IEC 9596 specifies

— procedures for the transmission of management information between application entities;

— the abstract syntax of the Common Management Information Protocol and the associated encoding rules to be applied;

— procedures for the correct interpretation of protocol control information;

— the conformance requirements to be met by implementation of this part of ISO/IEC 9596.

This part of ISO/IEC 9596 does not specify

— the structure or meaning of the management information that is transmitted by means of CMIP;

— the manner in which management is accomplished as a result of CMIP exchanges;

— the interactions which result in the use of CMIP.