Over the last several years platforms have become increasingly complex. Standardized communication between devices and management elements is critical to obtain platform adoption across multiple implementations while reducing common complaints from system integrators. Are you looking to learn more about DMTF’s Platform Management Communications Infrastructure (PMCI) Working Group and the specifications that it creates? This Technical Note will help answer your questions with an overview of the PMCI architecture and the benefits of each standard!

The following standards from PMCI are highlighted in the Technical Note -- Management Component Transport Protocol (MCTP), Network Controller Sideband Interface (NC-SI), Platform Level Data Model (PLDM), and Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM). Each standard will be explained at a high level while highlighting the benefits of each one.   

PMCI’s multiple standards for these communications are detailed in separate specifications as noted above, to deliver maximum flexibility in implementation. Together, they provide a comprehensive, common architecture for platform management subsystem communication, which is an essential component for an interoperable end-to-end management solution -- a scalable architecture designed for modern platforms.

You can download the technical note here. Developers, implementers, and end users are encouraged to visit the PMCI’s Working Group Page - https://www.dmtf.org/standards/pmci - for more in-depth information.