On Wed, 2010-04-07 at 10:18 +0100, Lukas Zeller wrote:
On Apr 3, 2010, at 17:34 , Patrick Ohly wrote:
> [...] For synchronization via wireless, there are two
> options:
> * ad-hoc direct between device and PC: would work without any
> additional hardware, but uncommon
> * devices log into the same W-LAN: that's how devices typically
> connect to the Internet, but they won't know about each other,
> so direct sync without manual configuration becomes harder
>
> One possible solution for the second problem is DNS Service Discovery,
> as used by Apple Bonjour and Avahi on Linux:
http://www.dns-sd.org/
Just to say - I took a tiny first step into that direction with our
iPhone apps, as Bonjour is readily available there. The server side
annouces itself via Bonjour, and the URL entry field in the client has
a Bonjour browser so in a iPhone to iPhone sync the user can just
select the other iphone from a list.
Of course, it's a long way to go from here to real select-and-use. Due
to the lack of a standardized SyncML service description, I have to
announce the SyncML server as a web server (_http._tcp), and the
browser part has to show any web server (which often includes config
webpages of network printers etc.). And it's only the URL.
Adding a new description is easy, in particular if it is proprietary,
see the top of:
http://www.dns-sd.org/ServiceTypes.html
I wonder if it might be possible for "us" (Intel, Nokia,
Synthesis :-)
to define such a spec for Bonjour-based SyncML service discovery and
try to have it standardized? Right now, I don't have the slightest
idea if this could be feasible, and what standardisation body we'd
need to address, and if that would be someting only OMA itself can do
or could be added "from outside" etc.
"We" should definitely define something and register it officially as
DNS-SD service type. If we pick a neutral name (not SyncML or OMA-DS),
then I guess we can do it without OMA getting involved. But we should
also drive a discussion with the OMA consortium to get this ratified by
them.
Intel is a OMA member and I know who our representative is. I suggest we
write up a proposal and then approach OMA. I can do both sometime next
week, if you want.
Given that there's also a wide area version of Bonjour/dns-sd,
that
could be huge for non local HTTP as well. I guess none of the internet
SyncML service providers would hesitate a second to add some extra DNS
records to help their users to setup sync...
Agreed.
--
Best Regards, Patrick Ohly
The content of this message is my personal opinion only and although
I am an employee of Intel, the statements I make here in no way
represent Intel's position on the issue, nor am I authorized to speak
on behalf of Intel on this matter.