- Devicescape Software
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Devicescape Software, Inc. 
Type Private Industry Software, Computer networking Founded June 2001 (as Instant802 Networks) Headquarters San Bruno, California Key people David Fraser, CEO
Simon Wynn, VP Engineering
John Gordon, Chief ArchitectProducts Wireless LAN Software Website www.devicescape.com www.easywifi.com Devicescape Software develops software for wireless networking, based on the IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standard and other network protocols. Founded in 2001 as Instant802 Networks, the company was renamed in January 2005. Devicescape is a venture backed private company.
Devicescape provides embedded software for wireless client devices, and a range of services which assist devices in connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
Contents
History
Instant802 Networks was founded to create management systems for Enterprise Wi-Fi access points, based in part on the OpenAP open-source project. In 2004 the company began development of packaged software products, including security for emerging devices and complete access point packages. The software was used in devices ranging from LCD projectors, televisions and digital video recorders to PDAs and SOHO access points. Early customers included Epson, Sharp, D-Link, Palm, Inc. and Motorola. In addition the company created a monitoring software solution for wireless LANs that has been used by NTT BroadbandPlatform.
The company was renamed Devicescape Software in 2005. It continued to develop additional client security products, including one of the first commercial implementations of WPS and Cisco Systems' CCX. In 2006, Devicescape exited the access point business, selling its Wireless Infrastructure Platform technology and customer base to Broadcom.
In 2007, Devicescape introduced Devicescape Connect (now Easy Wi-Fi) a client-server system which allowed embedded devices to automatically authenticate against any number of public Wi-Fi networks. At this point the company released a variety of consumer applications for PCs and smartphones under the Devicescape and then Easy Wi-Fi brands. In 2009, Devicescape consolidated its consumer offerings on easywifi.com and launched the Easy WiFi Network.
Products and services
Devicescape licenses software and operates its services for device manufacturers and service providers. Devicescape provides the following:
- Easy Wi-Fi Security (supplicant with Wi-Fi Protected Setup and CCX)
- Easy Wi-Fi Hotspot Client (automated hotspot authentication and provisioning system)
- Easy Wi-Fi Network (virtual hotspot network)
- SoftGPS (location service over Wi-Fi)
The company also provides applications directly to consumers via easywifi.com and through the Apple App Store, Google Android Market, and Nokia Ovi.
Easy Wi-Fi Security
The Easy Wi-Fi Security module (previously known as the Devicescape Agent) is a portable software package designed to be integrated into existing devices that need up to date, secure wireless networking. Based on the wpa supplicant package, it comes pre-integrated with Linux and other operating systems, and can be extended with Devicescape's commercial implementation of WPS. A version including Cisco Systems' CCX is also available to those with the required Cisco license.
Easy Wi-Fi Hotspot Client
Easy Wi-Fi's Hotspot Client operates in conjunction with a Devicescape-managed web service to allow devices to automatically authenticate with a Wi-Fi network. This is particularly appropriate to improve usability and utilization of public hotspot networks, by avoiding the need for users to authenticate (login) manually. The Hotspot Client is licensed to device manufacturers to improve the user experience and ensure compatibility with many different hotspot networks around the world. In addition, network operators and service providers have specified the Hotspot Client to improve utilization of Wi-Fi networks, particularly to offload data traffic from cellular networks.
Easy Wi-Fi Network
The Easy Wi-Fi Network is a virtual hotspot network, formed from the collection, classification, and monitoring of Wi-Fi by client devices using the Easy Wi-Fi Hotspot Client. The Network is licensed to device manufacturers wishing to provide basic access for end-users, and used by network operators to provide an expanded number of locations for their users.
SoftGPS
Devicescape's SoftGPS is a location service which uses Wi-Fi to provide basic positioning information. This can be used by devices without GPS hardware or cellular phone hardware, or for A-GPS applications.
Consumer applications
Devicescape provides a subset of the Easy Wi-Fi service directly to consumers, including installable applications for several devices, and a consumer website at easywifi.com. The applications allow consumers access to the Easy Wi-Fi Network and automated access to their Wi-Fi networks.
The consumer Easy Wi-Fi service is free, but requires consumers to agree to allow advertisements as outlined in Devicescape's terms of service.
Previous products and developments
Wireless Infrastructure Platform
Wireless infrastructure platform (WIP) is a complete Linux distribution for building wireless access points, or devices including a wireless access point function. At its core is a variant of the hostapd software access point package and Devicescape's Advanced Datapath Driver IEEE 802.11 software MAC. The WIP product line and technologies were sold to [1] in 2006 and is still available with full support as part of Broadcom's WLAN product line.
Wireless Operation Center
Wireless Operations Center (WOC) is a Java desktop application for visualizing and managing complex wireless network deployments, such as public access networks, or hotspot networks. This product is now discontinued.
Open source
Devicescape Software (as Instant802 Networks) was the sponsor of the OpenAP open-source wireless access point project. Some of the company's products were based on open-source software, including the Linux kernel and wpa supplicant.
On May 1, 2006, Devicescape announced that it had made its Advanced Datapath Driver available for inclusion in the Linux 2.6 kernel tree.
Industry affiliations
Devicescape is active in a number of industry groups, including the Wi-Fi Alliance and Wireless Broadband Alliance. Historically, Devicescape has participated in numerous bodies, including the Digital Living Network Alliance, the UPnP Forum, the IEEE and the IETF. Devicescape co-founder Simon Barber was the editor of the IEEE 802.11k radio resource management task group, the founder of the IEEE 802.11z direct link task group, and co-technical editor of the overall IEEE 802.11 working group, as well as the inventor of service discovery as used by Wi-Fi Direct.
See also
References
- ^ Broadcom
External links
Categories:- Software companies of the United States
- Networking companies
- Companies established in 2001
- Companies based in San Mateo County, California
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