Plug and Pray goes to ISO

PLUG AND PRAY, the technology formerly known as Plug and Play, has been ratified by ISO. For better, or for worse.

UPnP, as it has been known for some time now, is an open standard and specification for allowing devices to talk to each other. Printers can plug and play with PCs, routers can plug and play with network adaptors, and the standard has been extended to consumer electronics too - although most of that is taken care of by the DLNA.

Despite now being an official standard, there's nothing to suggest that the ISO committee has demanded any tightening up of security or compatibility standards. UPnP has long been derided for its total failure to solve basic problems. Overenthusiastic configurations have in the past allowed viruses to reconfigure routers to allow propagation, whilst gloriously failing to standardise the printer driver market. The worst of both worlds?

"The recognition of UPnP specifications as international standards emphasizes once again the standing of UPnP as the leading technology for discovery and control of devices in home networks," said the UPnP forum spokesman, displaying the characteristic optimism associated with the standard itself.

Which is all well and good, but aside from getting this certification, is anything actually being done to improve the spec to get it remotely close to its potential? Inquiring minds need to know. µ