A snap-in is a Component Object Model (COM) in-process server dynamic-link library (DLL). This COM interface is situated between MMC and the snap-in. MMC does not care how the snap-in communicates with the managed service. Snap-In can communicate with the managed service through any data protocol that the managed service supports. MMC has no knowledge of the mechanism used for this communication. Both Microsoft developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) can create snap-ins.
The Microsoft Management Console (MMC) provides a location for you to use administrative tools called snap-ins. Snap-ins allow you to administer computers, services, system components, and networks. To add a snap-in: Open the MMC. (From the Start menu, select Run. Then type mmc and click OK.) From the File menu, select Add/Remove Snap-in. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, click Add. In the Add Standalone Snap-in dialog box, click the snap-in you want to add to the console and click Add. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to add additional snap-ins to a single console.
Click Close, and then click OK to use the snap-ins you just added.
Snap-ins are the basic components of Microsoft’s Management Console (MMC). The MMC snap-ins are the actual management tools; the console — sometimes referred to as a «tools host» — is simply a framework into which the snap-ins are added. Within the MMC environment — which is similar to Windows explorer — the user selects from a list of all installed snap-ins; these might include, for example, DNS manager or device manager. Multiple copies of a particular snap-in can be added to apply to separate workstations.