The primary interface to the CIMOM is a CIM-XML over https protocol implementing the WBEM (Web Based Enterprise Management) specification. WBEM can be use directly, but is normally accessed through language specific client libraries that make it much easier to use by abstracting the details of working directly with XML.

Ech language binding provides a native object interface for that language which directly manipulates the underlying OpenLMI objects. In other words, you work directly with Python objects in Python, Java objects in Java, etc.

OpenLMI includes client libraries for C/C++, Java and Python. Each client library provides access to the same underlying low level interface, thus allowing access to the full capabilities of OpenLMI .

Much of the work in the OpenLMI project uses Python as the client language. LMIshell has been developed to further simplify the development and use of Python based scripts for management functions. LMIshell simplifies repetitive operations such as system name/username/password, which is required to execute commands, provides command completion, and provides a framework for using scripts.

Native Java clients are fully supported. As an example, the JBoss Operations Network (JON) team has developed a module that uses OpenLMI agents instead of JON agents – this allows JON to function without installing any JON agents on the managed system.