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The goals of UPnP are to allow devices to connect seamlessly and to simplify the implementation of networks in the home and corporate environments. UPnP achieves this by defining and publishing UPnP device control protocol s built upon open, Internet-based communication standards.
UPnP is distinct from Plug-and-play, a technology for dynamically attaching devices to a computer directly.
The UPnP architecture offers pervasive peer-to-peer network connectivity of PCs of all form factorForm factor refers to the linear dimensions and configuration of a device as distinguished from other measures of size (for example Gigabytes; a measure of storage size): in computing, form factor is used to describe the size and format of PC motherboardss, intelligent applianceThe term Appliance refers to two classes of objects: One class of objects includes items that are custom-fitted to an individual for the purpose of correction of a physical problem, such as prosthetic and orthotic appliances. The other class of objects ins, and wirelessWireless is an old-fashioned term for a radio receiver, referring to its use as a wireless telegraph. The term was widely used in the UK, long after radio was being used for other signals, such as music. In modern usage, the term refers to communication w devices. The UPnP architecture is a distributed , open networking architecture that leverages TCP/IPThe Internet protocol suite is the set of protocols that implement the protocol stack on which the Internet runs. It is sometimes called the TCP/IP protocol suite, after the two most important protocols in it: the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and t and the World Wide WebThe World Wide Web (the Web or WWW for short) is a distributed hypertext system that operates over the Internet. Basic terms Hypertext is viewed using a program called a web browser which retrieves pieces of information, called "documents" or " web pages" to enable seamless proximity networking in addition to control and data transfer among networked device s in the home, office, and everywhere in between.
It enables data communication between any two devices under the command of any controlThe word control has a number of different meanings: Often control is directing influence. A Control experiment is an experiment where the variable that is being investigated is kept constant. Control theory is a topic in engineering. control (sociology) device on the network.
The UPnP architecture supports zero-configuration, invisible, networking and automatic discovery for a breadth of device categories from a wide range of vendors, whereby a device can dynamically join a network, obtain an IP address, announce its name, convey its capabilities upon request , and learn about the presence and capabilities of other devices. DHCP and DNS servers are optional and are only used if they are available on the network. A device can leave a network smoothly and automatically without leaving any unwanted state information behind.
The foundation for UPnP networking is IP addressing . Each device must have a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ( DHCP) client and search for a DHCP server when the device is first connected to the network. If no DHCP server is available, i.e., the network is unmanaged, the device must use Auto IP to get an address. If during the DHCP transaction , the device obtains a domain name, e.g., through a DNS server or via DNS forwarding , the device should use that name in subsequent network operation s; otherwise, the device should use its IP address.