The onboarding framework provides a common and simple way for new device to be brought onto the AllJoyn™ network. This is especially useful for devices that have a limited user interface, like a SmartPlug.
How Does it Work?
Onboarding currently supports Wi-Fi only, though the system can evolve to leverage additional protocols (like BTLE) as they become more prevalent in this class of devices.
Device Roles:
- Onboardee – This is the device that needs to be brought onto the target network.
- Onboarder – This is the device that will provide the onboardee with the information it needs to connect to the target network. This is typically a mobile or desktop application.
The Onboarding Process
1. Onboardee Broadcasts its SSID
When an onboardee device is first plugged in, it initiates a SoftAP network. It then advertises an SSID prefixed with AJ_ to indicate that this device supports the AllJoyn™ onboarding service.
2. Onboarder Connects to Onboardee
The onboarder will scan for available AllJoyn™ devices by looking for specially prefixed SSID names. A user can then choose to onboard a specific onboardee device. The onboarder will then connect to the onboardee device. Depending on the onboarder’s platform, this may be done automatically by the application.
3. Onboarder Sends Network Information to Onboardee
After connecting to the onboardee’s SoftAP, the onboarder will listen for AllJoyn™ About announcements. Then, the onboarder will use the onboarding service interface to send the target network information to the onboardee device.
4. Switch to Target Network
Both devices then switch to the target network.
5. Onboarder Listens for Onboardee Device
As a final step, the onboarder will listen for receive About announcements from the onboardee device. When received, the onboarder considers the onboardee device fully onboarded.