Devices Profile for Web Services

The Devices Profile for Web Services (DPWS) defines a minimal set of implementation constraints to enable secure Web Service messaging, discovery, description, and eventing on resource-constrained devices.

Its objectives are similar to those of Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) but, in addition, DPWS is fully aligned with Web Services technology and includes numerous extension points allowing for seamless integration of device-provided services in enterprise-wide application scenarios.

The DPWS specification was initially published in May 2004 and was submitted for standardization to OASIS in July 2008. DPWS 1.1 was approved as OASIS Standard together with WS-Discovery 1.1 and SOAP-over-UDP 1.1 on June 30 2009.

DPWS defines an architecture in which devices run two types of services: hosting services and hosted services. Hosting services are directly associated to a device, and play an important part in the device discovery process. Hosted services are mostly functional and depend on their hosting device for discovery.

In addition to these hosted services, DPWS specifies a set of built-in services:

DPWS builds on the following core Web Services standards: WSDL 1.1, XML Schema, SOAP 1.2, WS-Addressing, and further comprises WS-MetadataExchange, WS-Transfer, WS-Policy, WS-Security, WS-Discovery and WS-Eventing.

Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows Embedded CE6R2 platforms natively integrate DPWS with a stack called WSDAPI, included as part of the Windows Rally technologies. Support for OSGi is on the way.

Because DPWS supports dynamic discovery, and is part of the evolving vision of distributed applications that leverage WS-* standards, its application to automation environments is clear. At the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, a “Next Gen” home was highlighted by an automation system, Life|ware from Exceptional Innovation, that uses DPWS to communicate with a lighting system, audio distribution system, security system, motorized shades, security cameras, thermostats, washers and dryers, and a motorized television mount. The show demonstrated tremendous consumer interest in the prospect of bringing controllable devices into the same environment as digital entertainment, and manufacturers are taking notice.

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