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.