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Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

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Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) enhances peer-to-peer network connectivity for personal computers, wireless devices, and other intelligent appliances, in a distributed, open networking architecture. UPnP uses existing standard protocols, such as TCP/IP, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and Extensible Markup Language (XML) to seamlessly connect networked devices and to manage data transfer among connected devices.

UPnP provides an architectural framework for creating self-configuring, self-describing devices and services. Networks managed by UPnP require no configuration by users or network administrators because UPnP supports automatic discovery. UPnP enables a device to dynamically join a network, obtain an IP address, and convey its capabilities on request. Control points can use the UPnP application programming interface (API) to learn about the presence and capabilities of devices that are registered on the network. A device can leave a network smoothly and automatically when it is no longer in use.

UPnP uses no device drivers. The protocol is media-independent and can be used on any operating system (OS). UPnP enables control over a device user interface through the browser and offers programmatic control to applications. UPnP enables developers to write their own user interfaces for devices, forgoing the vendor-provided interface.

Security Note   Because a UPnP service can potentially be remotely activated without authentication, it presents an area of vulnerability for the networked system. When UPnP services are deployed in a controlled environment, such as a home or business intranet where all the users are trusted, the risk of malicious attack is minimal. For protection in an open environment application developers can add authentication to the UPnP service.

In This Section

  • UPnP Support in Windows CE
    Provides an overview of the UPnP implementation in Windows CE .NET.
  • UPnP Framework
    Provides an overview of the UPnP framework, and includes a description of each element, which includes UPnP addressing, UPnP discovery, UPnP description, UPnP control, UPnP eventing, and UPnP presentation.
  • Using the UPnP Device Host API
    Lists the task a UPnP device host can perform and provides instructions on how to implement and register a hosted device.
  • UPnP Security
    Provides information on how to use UPnP in secure environments.
  • UPnP Registry Settings
    Lists the registry settings that store configuration information for UPnP device-hosting services.
  • UPnP Device Host Reference
    Contains reference pages for all UPnP device host interfaces supported in Windows CE .NET.
  • UPnP C Device Host Reference
    Contains reference pages for the UPnP C device host API supported in Windows CE .NET.
  • Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Overview
    Provides information for OEMs on how to implement UPnP on a Windows CE-based platform.
  • Control Point API
    Provides detailed information on the UPnP Control Point API feature, explains how to locate and control device on a UPnP network. Contains references for the UPnP Control Point API supported in Windows CE .NET.

 Last updated on Tuesday, May 18, 2004

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