CIM_System represents an entity made up of component parts (defined by the SystemComponent relationship), that operates as ...

CIM_System represents an entity made up of component parts (defined by the SystemComponent relationship), that operates as a 'functional whole'. Systems are top level objects in the CIM hierarchy, requiring no scoping or weak relationships in order to exist and have context. It should be reasonable to uniquely name and manage a System at an enterprise level. For example, a ComputerSystem is a kind of System that can be uniquely named and independently managed in an enterprise. However, this is not true for the power supply (or the power supply sub-'system') within the computer.   Although a System may be viewed as a Collection, this is not the correct model. A Collection is simply a 'bag' that 'holds' its members. A System is a higher level abstraction, built out of its individual components. It is more than a sum of its parts. Note that System is a subclass of EnabledLogicalElement which allows the entire abstraction to be functionally enabled/disabled - at a higher level than enabling/disabling its component parts.