UPnP Application Development (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)

1/6/2010

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a distributed, open networking architecture that enhances peer-to-peer network connectivity for personal computers, wireless devices, and other intelligent appliances. 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 setup 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. It is media-independent and can be used on any operating system (OS). UPnP 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 a 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 lessened.

In This Section

• Supported UPnP Functionality
  Provides an overview of the UPnP implementation.

• UPnP Concepts
  Provides an overview of the UPnP architecture and Device Control Protocols (DCPs) support included out-of-the-box. Includes a description of each architectural element, which includes addressing, discovery, description, control, eventing, and presentation. Also introduces the supported DCPs.

• Using the UPnP Control Point API
  Provides detailed information about the UPnP Control Point API and explains how to locate and control devices on a UPnP network.

• Using the UPnP Device Host API
  Lists the tasks a UPnP device host can perform and provides instructions that explain how to implement and register a hosted device.

• Using the UPnP AV Framework
  Explains how to use the UPnP AV Framework to implement target devices that use and conform to the UPnP AV DCP.

Related Sections

• Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
  Provides a high-level UPnP overview and links to all UPnP documentation topics.

• UPnP Security
  Provides information about how to use UPnP in secure environments.

• UPnP Registry Settings
  Lists the registry settings that store configuration information for UPnP device-hosting services.

• UPnP Reference
  Contains reference information about the various included UPnP APIs.

• UPnP OS Design Development
  Provides information for OEMs about how to implement UPnP in an OS design.

• UPnP Migration .
  Provides information about migrating from previous versions of Windows Embedded CE that used UPnP functionality to Windows CE 5.0.

• UPnP Samples .
  Provides information about the included UPnP samples.

See Also

Other Resources

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)