LOS ANGELES, April 7, 1999 — Today at the Windows® Hardware Engineering Conference and Exhibition (WinHEC) 99, Microsoft Corp. and 21 supporting companies will demonstrate intelligent appliances, consumer electronics devices, personal computers and peripherals networking together, using Universal Plug and Play to easily connect and communicate. The Universal Plug and Play initiative, which relies on standard Web-based protocols, allows a broad range of devices to discover and communicate directly with one another or through intermediary devices, such as PCs and set-top boxes.
Twenty-six additional companies (bringing the total number of supporters to 54), including consumer electronics manufacturers, network infrastructure providers, PC-related vendors and others, will announce their support of Universal Plug and Play in an effort to promote the emergence of a new generation of easily networked consumer devices through open technologies. All demonstrations will be located in the Microsoft Partner Demo and Universal Plug and Play Showcase area on the trade-show floor.
“The number and quality of the demonstrations shown here today underlines the growing support for easy-to-use, standards-based network connectivity,” said David Cole, vice president of the Consumer Windows Division, Microsoft. “With Universal Plug and Play, one of our top priorities is leveraging existing industry standards like XML and HTML to simplify the creation of spontaneous networks. The groundwork being demonstrated today provides a glimpse of how new applications for networking technology will benefit consumers.”
Universal Plug and Play Demonstrations
Universal Plug and Play demonstrations at WinHEC will include a range of devices and systems, from a video camera used as a home surveillance monitor allowing real-time access to images from anywhere on the home network to hand-held devices that can discover and spontaneously communicate with printers in a new network via a wireless connection. These demonstrations will use Universal Plug and Play devices networked across phone-line, IEEE 1394, Ethernet and wireless connections to further emphasize the simplicity and host of possibilities that result from the Universal Plug and Play approach to home networking. Twenty-one companies have provided technology for the Universal Plug and Play Showcase at WinHEC: 3Com Corp., ActionTec Electronics , Advanced Micro Devices Inc., AMX/PHAST, Axis Communications, Canon Inc., Conexant Systems Inc., Diamond-Multimedia Systems Inc., Eastman Kodak Co., Echelon, Epigram Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp., Kawasaki LSI, NEC Corp., Peracom Networks Inc., Proxim Inc., Quantum, Samsung Electronics Co., LTD. and Symbol Technologies Inc.
New Universal Plug and Play Supporters
In addition to the 28 companies that announced Universal Plug and Play support at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, today an additional 26 companies have committed to help define solutions that simplify networking in the home. These companies comprise three significant categories: Universal Plug and Play-enabled devices, network infrastructure providers and embedded systems.
The following companies have announced broad support of Universal Plug and Play and the intent to help refine UPnP implementations: AMX/PHAST, Canon, Casio Computer Company Ltd., Gateway, IBM Corp., Kawasaki LSI, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Ltd., Micron Technology Inc., Minolta, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., NeoMagic Corp., OKI Electric Industry Company Ltd., Quantum Corp., SANYO Electric Company Ltd., SEGA Enterprises Ltd., Sony Corp. and Thomson.
Network Infrastructure Providers
Network infrastructure is the backbone of any network, whether in the home, business or on the public Internet. ActionTec Electronics, ELSA Inc., Epigram, Kawasaki LSI, Peracom Networks and Symbol Technologies will work with Microsoft to develop products that will enable the Universal Plug and Play network infrastructure, including technologies for broadband Internet access and other media types.
Embedded Universal Plug and Play Solutions
In a bid to jump-start the adoption of Universal Plug and Play in non-PC devices, vendors are developing embedded implementations of Universal Plug and Play. Ultimately these solutions will enable vendors to develop networked versions of consumer, commercial and industrial products that previously have not been able to bear the cost of software network implementations. Agranat Systems Inc. and iReady Corp. both specialize in embedded solutions and have committed to working with Microsoft to create Universal Plug and Play-enabled network components for their designs.
Pragmatic Approach to Simple Networking
Universal Plug and Play makes connecting multiple devices easier by allowing devices to automatically obtain network addresses, be discovered by other devices on the network, and describe themselves to other devices. The following are some of the advantages of Universal Plug and Play:
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Open, standards-based approach. Universal Plug and Play was designed within the context of existing standards. It leverages existing protocols and standards like IP, HTTP and XML to deliver simple standards-based networking without requiring software developers and device vendors to adopt new operating systems or networking architectures. Individual implementations for particular networks and buses will build on the protocols already in place.
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Standardizing at the protocol level. The use of explicit, open wire protocols and data formats has been a key enabler in the dramatic growth of the Internet. By using the same strategy – standardizing at the wire protocol level rather than at the API level – Universal Plug and Play will enable ubiquitous spontaneous network connectivity.
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Media and device independence. Universal Plug and Play encompasses all types of networked and traditional peripheral devices, including smart appliances, networked peripherals, Web-based services and PCs, without a centralized server to manage the devices. Universal Plug and Play is an open system that does not require a PC as necessary component.
This pragmatic approach means that Universal Plug and Play implementations require very little work and an extremely small amount of system resources and footprint.
About Universal Plug and Play
Universal Plug and Play is the next phase of the Plug and Play initiative introduced by Intel Corp., Compaq Computer Corp. and Microsoft in 1992. It is a cross-industry effort to define a set of common interfaces that describe devices and services, allow automatic discovery when a device is plugged into a network, and allow other devices and people to use them without complicated setup or configuration. Universal Plug and Play is a key element in Microsoft’s standards-based vision of simple networking, where easy-to-configure intelligent appliances, networked peripherals, PCs and the services they provide become peers on networks in homes and businesses and do not require the presence of a PC or any Windows operating system.
The following companies continue to support Universal Plug and Play, as they announced in January 1999: 3Com Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), ATI Technologies Inc., AT & T Corp., Axis Communications Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Compaq, Conexant Systems Inc., Dell Computer Corp., Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc., Eastman Kodak Co., Echelon Corp., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Co., Hitachi Ltd., Honeywell Inc., Intel, Intellon Corp., Lexmark International Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc., National Semiconductor Corp., NEC, Proxim Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., LTD., ShareWave Inc., Sharp Electronics Corp., Texas Instruments Inc. and Toshiba Corp.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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Windows Hardware Engineering Conference and Exhibition 99
Universal Plug and Play Quote Sheet
“3Com and Microsoft share a vision of building powerful networks that are simple to use. 3Com, the leader in connecting people to the Internet, combined with Microsoft’s leadership in Universal Plug and Play, will help consumers more easily connect computers and intelligent appliances and share resources within the home and beyond.”
-Roy Johnson
Vice President and General Manager
Home Networking Division
3Com Corp.
“By working with an open, standards-based approach, the Universal Plug and Play initiative will help drive the growing market for consumer networking devices that can be easily installed and maintained. AMD is committed to the development and support of open industry standards that increase the value and function of consumer PC products and peripherals.”
-Tom Eby
Group Vice President
Communications Group
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD)
“The media independence of Universal Plug and Play is key to its adoption by AMX companies, including PHAST, our home automation subsidiary. At WinHEC, we have demonstrated the ease with which our PHASTLink technology can be integrated into a Universal Plug and Play network. Providing Universal Plug and Play access to our consumer-proven home automation, information and entertainment systems is just one more indication of the AMX pledge to be an open platform control system in the expanding Internet era.”
-John McHale
Chairman of the Board
AMX Corp.
“Universal Plug and Play is a critical technology component to help realize the benefits of broadband services to consumers. Home networking is going to be an important part of realizing the AT & T broadband vision.”
-Glenn T. Edens
Vice President Broadband Technology
AT & T Corp.
“ATI applauds Microsoft and the dramatic progress being made with the Universal Plug and Play initiative. As a result of this progress, we are now fast approaching a new era in which dynamic networks integrating a variety of computer and consumer devices can be created on demand in the home or at the office by nontechnical users. The implications for the home networking market, as well as ATI’s leading graphics technology that will be featured in many of these devices, are immense and ATI is committed to continuing its full support for Universal Plug and Play.”
-Alfonse Licata
Group Product Manager
ATI Technologies Inc.
“We are excited to be working with Microsoft on an initiative to make network services easier to connect and use. This is fully in line with Axis’ own ThinServer strategy, which fully integrates nearly all networking functionality directly into peripherals. Our collaboration with Microsoft on Universal Plug and Play is evidence of the two companies’ shared commitment to provide users with affordable, easy-to-use connectivity solutions.”
-Bengt Christensson
Chief Technical Officer
Axis Communications
“Compaq Presario is the first consumer PC to ship with an integrated home networking solution, and we are working with Microsoft to make it even easier for consumers to install and use our product. Participating in events like WinHEC demonstrates Compaq’s continuing leadership in setting the standard for home networking. Our effort really brings home the benefits of shared computers, Internet services and other resources in a true high-speed environment.”
-Mark Carpenter
Director of Communications and Home Connectivity
Compaq Computer Corp.
“We are pleased to support the Universal Plug and Play initiative. Universal Plug and Play will become the driving force behind the new intelligent network, and Conexant plans to be at the forefront of this exciting new technology.”
-Matt Rhodes
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Conexant Systems Inc.
“The HomeFree brand of home networking products offers consumers an easy way to link computers to share PC resources in today’s home. As computer and consumer electronics technologies converge, we fully support the Universal Plug and Play initiative and share Microsoft’s vision of extending the home network beyond the personal computer to include intelligent appliances.”
-Jim Cady
President
Communications Division
Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.
“Universal Plug and Play is a tremendous step forward in the ease-of-use scenario. ELSA will implement Universal Plug and Play in Internet routers and cable modems, and we are confident that this new initiative will generate a faster, more seamless installation process and a reduction in total cost of ownership.”
-Peter Wieninger
Vice President of Engineering
ELSA AG
“The deployment of high-speed home networking spreads the Internet everywhere. There will be more than a billion devices thirsty for Internet-based services and information, and Universal Plug and Play complements Epigram’s vision of easily connecting PCs and consumer electronics. Shared IP-based information gives the end user a rich set of networked applications using concurrent voice, video and data over household and small-business phone lines.”
-Jeff Thermond
President and CEO
Epigram Inc.
“Fear of compatibility issues and complexity can prevent customers from installing devices on a network. HP has deliberately targeted this area in development efforts and now leads the field in delivering network peripherals that are simple and intuitive to install and manage on the network.”
-Dave Harris
General Manager
Network Peripheral Solutions Division
Hewlett-Packard Co.
“As pervasive computing becomes a reality, it is critical that PCs and intelligent consumer devices be able to dynamically communicate with one another and interoperate. A key factor in making these devices appealing to consumers is ensuring that device-to-device communication happens automatically, without the need for any configuration by the consumer. IBM believes in open standards, and we view Microsoft’s proposal of Universal Plug and Play’s Service Discovery Protocol, and support for the creation of a working group in the IETF, as a positive step toward addressing this auto-configuration problem.”
-Phil Hester
Chief Technology Officer
IBM Personal Systems Group
“Intellon’s enhanced OFDM technology will provide high-speed communications over the most universal media, the AC power line. By combining Universal Plug and Play with our unique power line networking solutions, consumers will realize the full potential of plug and play connectivity.”
-Eric Buffkin
Vice President of Marketing
Intellon Corp.
“iReady’s mission is to make a wide variety of noncomputer electronic devices Internet-ready, enabling them to communicate over the Internet or local networks. We’re excited about supporting Universal Plug and Play because, when combined with our solutions, it will drive Internet ubiquity to a new level. By extending open, established protocols, this initiative provides an easy method for device-to-device or device-to-computer interaction.”
-Ryo Koyama
President and CEO
iReady
“For Kawasaki, as a provider of USB controllers for Ethernet, HomePNA and other connectivity applications, interoperability in the form of Universal Plug and Play is an essential element driving the industry in general and our customer base in particular.”
-Joel Silverman
Vice President of Marketing
Kawasaki LSI, U.S.A.
“Lucent’s Microelectronics Group – the world’s leader in communications semiconductors and the world’s fastest-growing major semiconductor company – aims to make home networks and Internet access as simple and easy to set up and use as possible. We believe that networking by consumers needs to be as simple as plugging in a telephone and the Universal Plug and Play initiative will be a key enabler in making this kind of user connectivity happen quickly. Lucent’s home phoneline networking, as well as digital subscriber line and analog modems, are designed with the same goals in mind.”
-Craig Garen
General Manager of Client Access Integrated Circuits
Microelectronics Group
Lucent Technologies Inc.
“Matsushita Electric believes that plug and play delivers an easy-to-use environment for devices on a home network, and therefore we support Universal Plug and Play as one important implementation of such useful technology.”
-Dr. Yoshitomi Nagaoka
Director and Member of the Board
Masushita Electric Industrial
Company Ltd.
“Micron Electronics is in full support of this exciting initiative because Universal Plug and Play promises to deliver a new era in pervasive computing from the home to the enterprise environment. Micron is committed to providing customers solutions to their networking needs, and today’s announcement promises to deliver upon that commitment.”
-Jeff Moeser
Vice President of Desktop Products
Micron Electronics
“NEC believes that ubiquitous implementation of Universal Plug and Play on a variety of information appliances will provide the best solution for seamless and easy connection among the PC, network peripherals and intelligent consumer appliances at home and in small offices.”
-Hideyo Takasu
General Manager of PC Strategic Planning Office
1st Personal C & C Operation Unit
NEC Corp.
“At NeoMagic we envision a future where multimedia content will move seamlessly and fluidly between the Internet, PCs and a great variety of electronics systems, and where users will be able to access information – be it data, images, sound, or video – wherever and whenever they choose. The Universal Plug and Play initiative for standards-based networking promises to simplify the move toward universal connectivity.”
-Larry Chisvin
Director of Product Marketing
NeoMagic Corp.
“Peracom’s USB Phoneline Adapter enables Universal Plug and Play networks by making the network connection as easy and painless as possible. You plug the Phoneline Adapter into the USB port and it works.”
-George Kubovcik
President and CEO
Peracom Networks
“Cordless networks in homes and small businesses are one of the most exciting new technology markets emerging today. The flexibility of being untethered and simplicity in installation and usage delivered by a cordless system are critical to fostering this market. Universal Plug and Play will be extremely important in helping make the user experience simple and natural, and Proxim’s cordless solutions will be among the first to support this facility.”
-Brian Button
Vice President
Sales and Marketing
Proxim Inc.
“We support industry efforts that promise to simplify sharing storage on the network. Initiatives like Universal Plug and Play are in sync with Quantum’s recently announced strategy to deliver a new class of storage appliances that offer greater flexibility and ease of use to the workgroup.”
-Maury Domengeaux
Vice President of Marketing
Network Storage Business Unit
Quantum
“Samsung’s home networking solution, Home Wide Web, and other home networking groups powered by Universal Plug and Play were able to demonstrate an ideal home networking system at WinHEC. Through this effort, Samsung’s Home Wide Web and Universal Plug and Play brought consumers one step closer to true home networking. With continuous effort and the commitment to bring comfort to everyone’s life through innovation, Samsung and Microsoft will become the leaders of the home networking era.”
-Noh Byung Park
Senior Vice President
Samsung Electronics Co., LTD.
“As IP-based networks enter the home, the functionality of consumer devices and value offered to the consumer should grow dramatically. Universal Plug and Play is a key part of this equation, as it will allow consumer devices to interface with a broad variety of other components, in a simple, standardized way.”
-Enrique Rodriguez
Vice President, R & D for Multimedia and Services
Thomson
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Contact information:
Drew Prairie, AMD, (408) 749-4581
Dave Hill, PHAST Corp. (a subsidiary of AMX), (800) 222-0193
Kevin Compton, AT & T, (908) 221-4191
Brian Chadderton, ATI, (905) 882-2600
Diana Van Leuven, Compaq, (314) 552-6720
Eileen Algaze, Conexant, (949) 483-6849
Joan Huang, Diamond Multimedia Systems, (925) 461-0394
Sylvia Kieven, ELSA, +49 241-606-4104
Adam Stein, Epigram, (408) 720-3030
Jim Pascoe, Hewlett-Packard, (408) 571-2344
Amy Cojac, IBM, (704) 643-4886
Kurt T. Kyvik, Intellon Corp., (352) 237-7416
Mike Brogan, iReady, (650) 802-1850
Rob Gelphman, Kawasaki LSI, (408) 451-8420
Charley Hartley, Lucent Technologies, (908) 508-8226
Akira Iketani, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, +81 6-6900-9285
Denise Smith, Micron Electronics, (208) 893-4425
Tsuguo Nobe, NEC, (425) 897-2044
Steve McConaughey, Peracom Networks, (919) 379-2761
Dan Spalding, Proxim, (650) 526-3619
Yunni Kwon, Samsung, (408) 544-5649
Kim Rose, ShapeTechnology, (650) 235-2505, ext. 23
