Home Networks

1
Chapter 6

• Home Networks
• Appliances

2
Introduction

• Network Appliance (NA)
• Dedicated-function consumer device containing a
  networked processor
• aka Internet Appliance, network device, network
  consumer device
• This Chapter
• 3 example environments
• Challenges ahead
• Potential solutions

3
Emergence of NA

• Decreasing cost of network-capable electronics
• Microcontrollers
• Network cost negligible
• Ease of integration
• Increase in online data availability
• Pcs are inconvenient want smaller
• Consumer demand for seamless integration of
  network services into lifestyle
• Want it will pay for it

4
Emergence of NA

• 4. Continuously available network connectivity
• Due to broadband home network
• DSL cable modem allow for on-demand access
• 5. Emergence of mass market opportunities
  amenable to appliance technology
• Many "things" require network connectivity
• Pay-per-view, home power consumption, digital
  rights management, etc.
• Always new things

5
NA Domains

• Environment bordered by security boundary
  single domain under single authority
• Different environment may have different
  constraints different access technologies
• 3 examples
• Automobile
• PAN
• Home

6
Automotive Environment

• Collection of nw separated by performance,
  safety, cost
• Note Smart Environment doesn't have to be
  wireless
• Example devices flasher module, stereo, engine
  sensor, burglar alarm, remote locks or ignition
• Remote access On Star via mobile phone network
• User access to NW not in past
• Now Bluetooth
• PAN
• PDA with display?
• Established - because many examples in current
  vehicles - but how will the expansion occur

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PAN

• Specific to an individual for personal NA's
• PDA, headphone, phone, laptop, medical/body
  sensors
• Individual is identified, access rights
• Access to WAN defined by WAN devices present
• Bandwidth shared with other PAN's present
• Emergent - because established standards market
  building
• Bluetooth SIG claims gt 1M units shipped per week

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Home Environment

• Collection of networks with inter-networking
  units between them - Figure 6.1, pg. 133
• Zones areas serviced by each of the physical
  networks
• WAN Home Good - DSL, cable, etc.
• Multiple users with different rights
  responsibilities
• Child, adult, visitor
• Embryonic - products for network PC's, but few NA
  specific products no clear consensus on
  standards

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"Typical" NA's

• Can't really predict
• Extensions of current vs. new ones
• Can identify some capabilities expected
• NW will become 'built-in', standard
• Driving Technologies
• Bluetooth
• Zig Bee
• Bluejacking - new, unintended use

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NA's Can Utilize

• On-demand data availability
• Auto updates of firm ware, TV schedules, recipes
• Decision making - turn on heat as you approach
  home, automatically slows your car if car ahead
  stops suddenly
• Dynamic data information exchange
• Music from house to car stereo
• Management of rights

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NA's Can Utilize .

• 3. Remote command control
• Current garage door, car
• Future open door for repairman watch via
  camera start vacuum cleaner or washer
• 4. Remote reporting
• Deliver status pipe breaks, need oil change,
  elderly person hasn't opened refrigerator in 24
  hours
• All require sensor functions processing

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Example Scenario

• Read about Dave
• in his Smart World
• on pages 135-136.

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Core Issues of NA Adoption

• Cost of network connectivity
• Cost is dropping
• For homes, still somewhat expensive,
  inconvenient, difficult to configure
• Diversity of network structure
• Typically multiple network - gateways between
  them - electricity, cable, phone
• Each may have significant differences
• Need homogenous access

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Core Issues

• 3. Complexity - configuration maintenance
• More devices more complexity more
  maintenance
• Security issues
• Connect to neighbor's wireless network
• 4. Security requirements
• Most home users do not have skill or
  understanding to provide own security
• NA's need to include

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Core Issues

• 5. Collaborative operation
• Weather - monitoring alarm clock wakes you early
  when bad weather
• Integrate with other NA's - collaborative
• Start coffee early
• Heat water for shower
• Wakes early if car needs gas
• Body sensor - wakes up if needs medical attention

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Core Issues

• 6. Feature Interaction
• Example heating system 75, cooling system 70 -
  goals conflict
• The change in operation of one feature that can
  be wholly or partially attributed to the presence
  of another feature in the environment

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Current State of NA Deployment

• Domain Dependant
• Automotive industry is most advanced
• Single integration agency
• Accepted standards
• Safety critical environment demands thorough
  testing
• Strong brand image must be protected
• Must reduce cost
• Good understanding of technology
• Interface extension of older users
• Compare to PAN and Home!

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2 Key Problems

• Appliance Addressing Access
• Different devices have different standards
• No standard addressing
• How to access from outside
• Feature Interaction (FI)
• Occurs when multiple entities make assumptions
  about environment which are rendered invalid by
  other entities
• May have no knowledge of other entities

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Appliance Addressing Access

• Requirements - both inside outside house
• Security
• Authentication
• Reliability
• Scaling
• Protocol independence
• Naming location

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Addressing / AccessProposed Solution

• Communication to NA usually brief
• Combine location and message - single
  transmission
• SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
• INVITE Process
• Figure 6.2, pg. 141
• Message sent to proxy agents, forwarded
• Developed for VOIP
• Authors - SIPa is leading contender

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SIP Advantages for NA

• Proven for security, authentication, reliability,
  scaling
• Independent of any particular naming or
  addressing scheme
• Can register endpoints (appliances) then can move
  around house
• SIP likely to be used in VOIP - good if used for
  various applications

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SIP Disadvantages

• Not currently deployed development of
  infrastructure will take time
• Open issues remain
• DDP DMP not fully defined
• Provisioning configuration (others) not resolved

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Classification of FI ( p. 144)

• Asynchronous Excitation
• Service excites device - no feedback
• e.g. TV remote control
• Don't know service location
• Notification followed by Excitation
• Stimulus (service) known
• e.g. dryer informs service the door closed
  service tells dryer to start
• Notification followed by Asynchronous Excitation
• Stimulus from on device causes service to excite
  another device
• 1st device doesn't know of second

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Example FI's

• Video recorder switches from TV to record
  security camera if burglar alarm
• Recorded eight sequence for "away from home" sets
  off burglar alarm
• Dueling cooling heating system

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Other Categories of Interactions

• Shared action
• 2 services try to control same device
• Shared trigger
• One event passed to more than one service, which
  perform conflicting actions
• Sequential action
• Service to device to service
• Can cause loop
• Missed trigger
• Existence of a service prevents a device from
  producing an event that causes a second service
  to operate

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State of NA

• Feature interaction - vital issue
• Only is a problem when enough services deployed
  for interactions to start
• Not a problem with automobile, controlled
• Home - we can just keep adding "stuff"
• FI is open issue
• Slow rate of adoption allows work for solutions

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Future of NAAuthor's Predictions

• Interface will change beyond recognition
• Sophisticated Techniques
• Speech, direct eye, in ear loud speakers, throat
  microphones, direct electrical stimulation
• Interfaces that hide computing devices
• e.g. Anoto pen
• Power delivery - from the human
• Cybernetic enhancements
• Who knows?!?