MMC provides a variety of features, including the following.
In addition to providing integration and commonality of administrative tools, MMC also enables total console customization, as administrators can create management consoles that include only the exact administrative tools they need. Customization helps make administration more task-based, as the tools relate more closely to the tasks that need to be performed, rather than displaying a large array of objects and features, only a few of which are used.
Console customization also enables administrators to effectively and precisely delegate tasks to less experienced or skilled personnel. For example, suppose a company employs night-time computer operators whose only responsibilities are to perform tape backups of servers and monitor event logs, and then notify more senior administrators if serious event log errors occur. To give these computer operators exactly the administrative tools they need, a senior administrator can use MMC to build a console that contains only the tape backup manager and event log viewer snap-ins, arrange the windows in the console, and then save the console to a file. The console file can then be used as the only administrative tool needed by each of the night-time operators.
Because MMC provides a common framework in which snap-ins can run, administrators can manage their various network products by using a single integrated interface. Because all snap-ins run in the same framework and must conform to the same specifications, the look and feel of each is similar, making it easier for administrators to learn how to use each tool.
MMC does not restrict you to any specific protocols. A snap-in needs only to support either the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) or Component Object Model (COM) standards to be hosted in MMC. You can choose the best product of each type and be confident that they can be managed seamlessly with no compatibility issues.
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