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Jini

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This month is the month of National Days. At least Belgium, France and the US have their National Day in July. Happy National Day to readers in these countries.

This issue is about Jini, the latest development from Sun.

What is a Jini?

You have probably heard about Jini. It is the latest product from the Sun laboratories -- the same people who brought us Java. In light of Java's popularity, it is interesting to stop and look at what Jini is all about.

The idea behind Jini is to simplify dramatically networking. The ultimate goal is to simplify networking to the point where it can be embedded in consumer appliances such as video recorders or watches. As we will see, Jini brings some novel ideas that will be useful for business applications as well.

Computers are finding their way into many appliances. Microwave ovens, cars, cameras, diaries and many other devices support some sort of ultra small computers. It is only logical to connect these devices over a network. We have all seen the projects for the "house of future" which can be remotely controlled: you can start baking the pudding from the office. Jini aims to make it a reality.

Yet networking computers is not an easy task. There are many parameters and so many chances of an error that it's almost impossible for a novice to get it right. It's bad enough to install an Internet connection on a PC, imagine if you had to do the same thing with your radio!

AOL has demonstrated that there is a market for the Internet made easy and, with Jini, Sun would like to prove there is a market for device networking made easy.

The Jini solution is a concept known as spontaneous networking. The idea is simple and attractive: plug a Jini-enabled device on the network and it works. By "it works" I mean that the device will connect to other devices on the network and they can communicate.

So, for example, if you plug a Jini-enabled PDA in a Jini-enabled hotel network, the PDA will immediately offer you the hotel services, such as ordering dinner, booking your next trip or gaining access the hotel business facilities for faxes, Internet and secretarial services.

What is it Good At?

There is not yet a killer Jini application, the technology is too recent. However there are many potential applications for which "spontaneous networking" would be useful.

Domestic appliances are the obvious application. You could use your mobile phone to start your video recorder or to control the heating. No messy configuration, and the day you change your video recorder, it still works! I have already explained how the same technology could be used on the road, e.g., when checking in at an hotel.

Jini could also be used in a supermarket. You could plug your calculator on the supermarket network to receive information on the latest promotion, or information on new products that are relevant to you. Furthermore, through a Jini device, you could pre-order fresh food so that your order waits for you when you arrive in the food department. Again, no messy setup or incompatible products, you just plug it and it works.

However one must not neglect business applications. I give many training sessions and I dream of the day where I can plug my Jini-enabled PC in the training room and immediately gain control over the beamer. If you have ever tried to connect a PC to a beamer 10 minutes before the training is due to start and failed, you will understand me.

Jini-enabled devices would also be very useful in factories. Currently vendors have different and somewhat incompatible command-sets for their tools. In practice, it makes it difficult to control the whole factory from a central console. Installing a new machine takes time and may require reprogramming the controlling software. Jini could change all this: just plug the machine and it will find the console.

In an office environment, there is an immediate need to simplify printer, scanner and other office devices installation. Jini is ideal: a Jini-enabled PC would automatically download the drivers from a Jini printer.

Jini could also enable e-business. For example, Acme manufacturing could check the stock level of its providers or customers by plugging a Jini-device on their network. The ability to connect easily and efficiently is crucial.

Jini could revolutionize leasing. A Jini-enabled device such as an expensive and complex manufacturing machine, could be leased by the hour. One would plug, locally or remotely, a Jini-enabled device on the manufactory network to control the machine. Again, because this new leasing is for a short duration, it is essential that the machine is immediately productive.

Finally, Jini could revolutionize traditional areas of computing such as departmental client/server applications. Again the dynamic nature of Jini would be an asset, particularly in deploying the applications. As soon as a new service becomes available, the Jini clients can use it.

Technically Speaking

Technically, Jini builds on Java. Jini-enabled devices take advantage of Java portability to exchange code among themselves. Java ensures that the same application works on the keyholes, on the garden sprinklers and on the hi-fi set.

In practice, Jini is simply a small set of interfaces that provide the core services needed for two appliances to discover each other and engage in significant activities. The complete standard is not very thick (which is a good sign, it means it remains manageable) but it is obvious that every function has been carefully thought through.

Conclusion

We are in the early days of Jini. However, having built many distributed applications, I know this is no a trivial task. Jini's "spontaneous networking" model could make distributed applications more accessible to more people and that is a prerequisite to networking appliances.

Self-promotion department

If you would like to check the technical details on Jini, I invite you to read the Jini Series at Digital Cats. The latest article, part 4, is now available at http://www.javacats.com/US/articles/ben/jini4.html.

Visit the redesigned web site at http://www.pineapplesoft.com.

About Pineapplesoft Link

Pineapplesoft Link is a free email magazine. Each month, it discusses technologies, trends and facts of interest to web developers.

The information and design of this issue of Pineapplesoft Link are owned by Benoit Marchal and Pineapplesoft. Permission to copy or forward it is hereby granted provided it is prefaced with the words: "As appeared in Pineapplesoft Link - http://www.pineapplesoft.com."

Editor: Benoit Marchal
Publisher: Pineapplesoft www.psol.be

Acknowledgments: thanks to Sean McLoughlin MBA for helping me with this issue.

Back issues are available at http://www.psol.be/old/1/newsletter/.

Although the editor and the publisher have used reasonable endeavors to ensure accuracy of the contents, they assume no responsibility for any error or omission that may appear in the document.

Mise à jour : juillet 1999.
© 1999, Benoît Marchal. All rights reserved.
Design, programmation XSL & photo : PineappleSoft OnLine.