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        Downloadable software supports OSGi-based peer-to-peer resource sharing

        Staff | Date: Sep 8, 2003 | Comments: 1


        IBM has released a set of software for wireless or wired peer-to-peer communications which includes chat, file transfer, and service discovery capabilities. The software, called "Socializer", currently supports handheld and laptop devices equipped with a network card and running Windows, Pocket PC 3.0, and Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 operating systems.



        Socializer is available for free download on IBM's alphaWorks developer website. Socializer was built by IBM's "OSGi Revolution Extreme Blue" team working for IBM in Research Triangle Park, N.C. during the summer of 2003.

        What it is

        IBM describes Socializer as follows . . .

        Socializer is a distributed, peer-to-peer platform that connects a person to people and services in the same location. The platform is bundled with the following applications . . .
        • Chat -- Allows chatting with discovered users

        • File Transfer -- Allows users to send files

        • Profile Manager -- Enables users to create profiles and exchange persona information with others. The information can travel across multiple degrees of separation. Incoming profiles can be filtered based upon pre-defined interests. Information sharing is controlled by the user.

        • Service Manager -- Allows users to broadcast their services and discover other services in the vicinity

        • Application Sharing/Deployment -- Gives user the ability to share applications. Applications can be propagated and deployed with one click.
        How it works

        IBM says Discovery is done by a proprietary protocol that involves sending out UDP broadcast messages on the local subnet. The object-oriented model of the platform makes it extremely easy to replace the proprietary protocol with another protocol, such as upnp.org.

        Socializer is an open, extensible platform. New features can be developed and propagated by an open-source community. It supports handhelds (Pocket PC, Palm, and Linux) and laptops (Win32). It runs on wired as well as wireless networks.

        How Socializer differs from other discovery and communication methods

        According to IBM, Socializer supports ad hoc, location-based discovery and communication rather than relying on a central control. It also enables taking advantage of local services, such as finding flight schedules at the airport, in addition to recognizing other peers running Socializer.

        Furthermore, the OSGi platform on which Socializer is built allows for the dynamic deployment of new applications, IBM says. For example, anyone could create a new application, such as a peer-to-peer game. That person could share the application through the service manager and then any other peer in the location could recognize and download the application for immediate use without having to configure or reload.