Decentralized, local ONS and Discovery Services model highlighted in new white paper

NICE, FRANCE - 6 October 2008 - Today, at the Internet des Objets, Internet du Futur Conference, Afilias released a white paper that details a decentralized and interoperable model for implementation of Object Naming Services (ONS) and supporting Discovery Services. This model is intended as one solution to an international debate on the potential problems associated with a single, authoritative ONS system and to promote the widespread adoption of Internet of Things technology for track-and-trace and supply chain management.

"Questions are currently being asked as to whether an Internet of Things architecture can be implemented without a unique, single point of control, or ONS, at the root level," said Brian Cute, Vice President of Discovery Services at Afilias. "Afilias believes that a decentralized, interoperable ONS architecture, combined with Discovery Services, is the ultimate model that will provide success for the evolution of the Internet of Things."

The white paper details how the DNS system used to route Internet domains (Web addresses) today can serve as a model for the initiatives focused on the future of an "Internet of Things" for tracking objects. It also describes how decentralized ONS systems can be implemented in a similar fashion to the DNS to serve the needs of businesses, governments and the public alike.

Afilias also advocates for the use of Discovery Services in conjunction with a decentralized ONS architecture. Afilias has helped lead the effort in the IETF to build a standard for Discovery Services called the Extensible Supply-chain Discovery Service (ESDS) open protocol. This protocol provides a unique, interoperable method for businesses implementing RFID networks, ONS systems or applications that track and trace objects to share and store information.

About Afilias Discovery Services

Afilias offers commercial Discovery Services which provide a common journal to store thin data about key events for products using any type of identifier, whether RFID, bar codes, UPC codes, or proprietary identification. This allows a business to have a complete record of who handled their products and when. Afilias Discovery Services provide secure and selective visibility based on various security parameters, customizable by the owner of the information, thus enabling access but preserving competitive and sensitive data. For more information on Afilias Discovery Services please click here.

About Afilias

Afilias provides global registry services that leverage proven technology to deliver fast, reliable and secure service. Afilias' technology supports a wide range of applications, including Internet domain registries such as .INFO, .ORG, .aero, .mobi, .asia, .me, and many country code domains. Afilias also provides services in the RFID market with its Afilias Discovery Service, which enables real-time lookup of event histories across RFID networks. Afilias maintains international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, sales offices in London, England, sales and operational facilities in Toronto, administrative offices in the U.S. near Philadelphia, PA, and operational offices in New Delhi, India.

Attachment	Date	Size
Afilias Internet of Things White Paper The Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved using standards that are based in part on DNS design and utilize the Internet to support aspects of IoT services. The new IoT architecture currently consists of ONS (root service), EPCIS (standardized interface for data exchange) and Discovery Service (secure and selective visibility of event data). This paper puts forward an architectural approach to ONS that addresses these questions and could serve as a model for a decentralized and interoperable IoT root system. It provides a model for localized ONS that could support a multiplicity of IoT networks and further clarifies the respective functions of Discovery Services.	11/08/08 3:36 pm	829.44 KB