This patch shows how we can split the current CIMI::Model classes into two different class hierarchies, CIMI::Model and CIMI::Service. After the split, the former will strictly be restricted to (de)serialization of CIMI resources whereas the latter will be dedicated to interaction with drivers and the DB.
One motivator for this change is that the (de)serialization functionality of the current CIMI::Model classes is useful in other contexts, especially for clients, be those blackbox tests or the CIMI webapp. Dealing with drivers and the DB on the other hand is only useful for the server. Once we have completed the split, we should extract the CIMI::Model classes into a separate gem that can be used as the basis for CIMI clients. An important aspect of this is that the new CIMI::Model classes should not make any reference to a context (server) anymore. The patch is by no means complete, it only shows what this split would look like using the example of Machine. The tests in tests/cimi/collection/machines_test.rb do pass though :) Michal: feel free to expand this patch. David
