The following terms are frequently used in the name of a MIB variable:
Capability refers to the actions an object can perform,
or to actions that can be taken by the object. Hot-pluggable is an
example of a capability. If a card is hot-pluggable, it can be replaced
while a system is running. Capability settings refer to the capabilities
of the object that the user can select from and activate if desired.
Capability settings allow users of the server administrator to predetermine
how an object behaves under specific conditions.
Settings are the conditions of a manageable object that
determine what happens when a certain value is detected in a component.
For example, a user can set the upper critical threshold of a temperature
probe to 75 degrees Celsius. If the probe reaches that temperature,
the setting causes an alert to be sent to the management console.
Some settings, when reached, can trigger a system shutdown or other
response to prevent damage to the system.
State refers to the condition of an object that has more
than one condition. For example, an object may be in a
not ready or in an
enabled state.
Status refers to the health of an object or how the object
is functioning. For example, the status of a temperature probe that
is measuring acceptable temperatures would be reported as normal.
When the probe begins reading temperatures that exceed limits set
by the user, it reports a critical status.