Overview
ISO/IEC 9596-2:1993 defines the PICS proforma (Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement) for the Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) used in OSI systems. The document provides a standardized template and completion instructions so suppliers can express in detail which parts of CCITT Rec. X.711 / ISO/IEC 9596‑1 their implementation supports. Annex A contains the PICS proforma for CMIP version 2; Annex B provides amended kernel functional unit tables for version 1. The proforma aligns with conformance-testing guidance in CCITT Rec. X.291 / ISO/IEC 9646‑2.
Key Topics
- PICS proforma template: A textually defined form (Annex A) that must be used to declare protocol conformance, differing only in pagination/headers.
- Instructions for completion: Rules and examples for filling the proforma, including required fields for supplier identity, implementation identification, dates, and defect/addenda references.
- Status and support notations: Use of standard status markers (e.g., m = mandatory, o.N, X = prohibited) and support flags (Y/N) as defined by ISO/CCITT conformance methodology.
- Functional-unit coverage: Tables and clauses that document support for CMIP functional units (kernel, filter, multiple-object selection, multiple-reply, cancel-get, extended service, M‑GET protocol, etc.).
- Parameter declarations: Structured places to list supported Parameters such as CMIPUserInfo and CMIPAbortInfo, with types, values and ranges (TVR).
- Conformance claims: Global statement of whether all mandatory capabilities are implemented and lists of non‑implemented mandatory items (if any).
Applications
ISO/IEC 9596-2 is practical for:
- Product vendors and implementers completing a formal PICS for product documentation and certification.
- Conformance test laboratories and test-suite developers using the proforma alongside ISO/IEC 9646 test methods to verify CMIP behavior.
- System integrators and procurement teams verifying feature support and interoperability requirements between network and systems management products.
- Standards bodies and auditors maintaining consistent, comparable conformance statements across implementations.
Using this standard helps accelerate interoperability testing, clarifies scope of support for CMIP features, and provides an audit-ready record for certification and vendor comparison.
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