Subclasses of CIM_PhysicalElement define any component of a system that has a distinct physical identity. Instances of this ...

Subclasses of CIM_PhysicalElement define any component of a system that has a distinct physical identity. Instances of this class can be defined in terms of labels that can be physically attached to the object. All processes, files, and logical devices are considered not to be physical elements. For example, it is not possible to attach a label to a modem. It is only possible to attach a label to the card that implements the modem. The same card could also implement a LAN  adapter. These are tangible managed system elements (usually actual hardware items) that have a physical manifestation of some sort. A managed system element is not necessarily a discrete component. For example, it is possible for a single card (which is a type of physical element) to host more than one logical device. The card would be represented by a single physical element associated with multiple logical devices.