PARC Lays Groundwork
For Future of Wireless Networking
Researchers address network
security and device interoperability
Palo Alto , CA
, March
2, 2004 - The Palo
Alto Research Center (PARC), a subsidiary
of Xerox Corporation, recently unveiled technologies
that address two critical challenges in ubiquitous
computing: security and interoperability.
In one project, PARC researchers have devised
an automated and affordable method to create
highly secure wireless networks based on public
and private key infrastructure (PKI). In a
second project, PARC researchers designed
the Obje ä interoperability platform,
a software architecture that enables simple,
cross-standard interoperability. According
to Mark Bernstein, President and Center Director
of PARC, “These projects represent essential
stepping stones – robust, usable security
and simple interoperability – for operating
in a world where computing is increasingly
atomized, embedded and user-managed.”
PARC's secure wireless technology makes it
straightforward for both corporate and home
users to utilize the most robust wireless
network security available. For example, in
the enterprise version, initiation into the
network begins with the use of a location-limited
channel - e.g., touch or infrared – to exchange
a cryptographic key pair between a client
device and the network enrollment station.
The client device can then use the existing
wireless infrastructure to request a digital
certificate, which will be approved or rejected
by a network administrator. Upon approval,
the client receives a certificate and software
automatically configures the device to use
the wireless network with best-of-breed security
protocols. Participants in PARC's user study
were able to set-up 802.1x at the highest
security level in two steps and in less than
two minutes; a savings of 90 minutes and over
30 installation steps compared to traditional
installation methods. The key is making security
simple enough that users can and will adopt
the best quality security.
In a parallel project, PARC researchers have
tackled device interoperability by developing
the Obje interoperability platform. This software
architecture enables digital devices and services
to easily connect and interoperate over wired
and wireless networks. The Obje platform uses
mobile code to allow devices to teach each
other how to work together without prior knowledge
of each other or shared standards. The technology
need not be present on every device in this
ad hoc network, allowing for the incorporation
of legacy products. Though applicable to many
industries, benefits are particularly notable
in consumer electronics where ease of use
is a paramount concern. Obje requires no centralized
network coordination or special set-up, creating
a digital environment in which home computing
or A/V networks are easy to manage and extend.
“We have witnessed an explosion of digital
devices in the home over the past few years,”
said Hermann Calabria , Principal, Business
Development, PARC. “PARC envisions Obje as
a means by which consumers will be able to
network these devices and interact with information
in a way that suits their needs rather than
in a way that's predicated on the limitations
of individual devices.”
Additional Resources
About PARC
The Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), a subsidiary
of Xerox Corporation, conducts pioneering
interdisciplinary research in physical, computational,
and social sciences. Building on its three-decade
tradition of innovation, PARC works with Xerox
and other strategic partners to commercialize
technologies created by its renowned scientists.
As the birthplace of technologies such as
laser printing, Ethernet, the graphical user
interface, and ubiquitous computing, PARC
has an established record of accomplishment
for transforming industries and creating commercial
value. See: www.parc.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: PARC
and the Palo Alto Research Center logo are
trademarks
of PARC. For
more information about PARC, please visit www.parc.com/pressroom
.
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