Platforms and tools for Web Services and Mobile Applications

1. Platforms and tools for Web Services and Mobile Applications Bent Thomsen Aalborg University 3rd and 4th of June 2004

2. Welcome to a world of Fun and Frustrations

3. Overview • Overview • Browser based clients • J2ME based clients • .Net CF based Clients • Trends and Future

4. Mobile computing and wireless communication just a few years ago

5. Tom downloads an exercise planning application written in Java. The application automatically finds and recognizes the various health monitoring gadgets which Tom is wearing. The application automatically develops a near-term fitness plan appropriate for Tom given his current physical condition. While Tom is climbing, the application monitors the details of Tom’s condition. Future Applications Now I can really start ‘extreming’…

6. Shopping in the future

7. After one week… I am going to teach my phone my habits. Looks cool! Marie buys a new phone. She is showing it to her friend Susie. The device has learnt where Brandi likes to visit and what she does. Look, it remembers! Your phone is peeping Marie gives names to positions. Marie leaves to work, surprised that her phone helped her not to be late. Finding you way around

8. Mobile The ability to be on the move Mobile applications are any applications that can be used when on the move: PDAs, laptops, mobile phones Wireless The transmission of voice or data over radio waves Wireless devices are those that send or receive data wirelessly Mobile, but not wireless Stand-alone applications Deferred Synchronized Dial-up Wireless, but not mobile Stationary using wireless com Definition of Mobile and Wireless Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

9. Mobile/Wireless Application Options • Wireless Internet (online only) • Online access to Web content • Typically used for consumer applications • Limited user interface and capabilities • Smart Client • Incorporates mobile database technology for persistent data storage • Updates to data can be synchronized to enterprise systems • Allows for offline access to important data • Works best in ‘occasionally connected’ environment • Messaging • Store and forward delivery of data • Text messaging is very popular, multimedia the next thing • Can be used on its own, or in addition to other architectures

10. Variability of the mobile environment • Mobility • stationary • nomadic (pedestrian speed) • mobile (vehicular speed) • roaming (mobile across networks) • Connectivity • connected • semi-connected • (asymmetric) • disconnected • Mobile Device Capability • form factor • GUI • multimedia • real-time multimedia

11. M-Commerce • Digital purchase • Ring tones • Pictures • Games • Other applications • Mobile Banking • Information Services • Location based services • Mobile Shopping • Mobile Advertisement

12. M-Business • Mobile Office • Field Sales • Field Services • Transportation and Logistics

13. Which applications are enterprises interested in launching first? Respondents saying high interest Base: 122 Respondents Gartner Wireless Survey March 2002

14. Why go mobile? • The mount Everest Reason (because you can) • Business Benefits • Increased employee productivity • Faster response time • Stream lined business processes • Improved competitive advantage • Reducing costs • End-user Benefits

15. Wireless Environment • Wireless Operators and Service Providers • Device Manufacturers • Hardware vendors • Software infrastructure Providers • Independent Software Vendors • System Integrators

16. Coverage and penetration Bandwidth Latency Reliability Cost Lack of Standards Roaming Device Diversity Infrastructure Choice Thin vs. Thick clients Java vs. .Net vs. C/C++ Challenges

17. Device characteristics • Size and weight • Memory • Processors type and speed • Screen • Size and colour • Indoor/Outdoor • OS • Software support • Expansion capabilities • Built-in functionality

18. Device Characteristics • Notebook/Laptop • Tablet PC • Handheld PC • High-end SmartPhone • Palm sized PDA • Low-end SmartPhone • Web Phones • SMS capable phones • Two way pagers and SPOT

19. Devices – Four Types of Footprints Always On Always Connected; No Sync Required Rich Device-Resident Apps Local Database No Device-Resident Apps No Local Database Mobile Extension of Desktop Desktop-Sync Offline + Online

20. Wireless Networks Satellite

21. WPAN Illustration Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

22. WPAN Applications • For business applications, anytime you would use a cradle for a network connection, a WPAN can work • SQL Anywhere Studio can synchronize data wireless over WPAN networks without modifying the application! • In some confined environments, Bluetooth can be used as a local area network • As cable replacement for peripherals • Future uses include many embedded devices such as sensors, interactive toys, smart badges, and home automation

23. WLAN Configurations • Wireless LAN with Access Points Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

24. WLAN Applications • Wi-Fi networks are used throughout the business world for wireless access to corporate networks • Warehouse environments for inventory tracking • Hospitals and clinics for patient care • Corporate campuses for Internet/Intranet access • Wi-Fi technology is used in ‘hotspots’ to provide convenient Internet access • Check corporate email • Synchronize smart client applications • Download latest updates in offline Web applications

25. WLAN Configurations Peer to Peer Wireless LAN Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

26. Wide Area Networks • Main Characteristics: • Long-range communication (national coverage) • Data rates from 9.6 kbps to 2 Mbps • Service agreement required; fee for airtime/data transfer • Operate over licensed spectrum (which operators have to pay to use!) • WWANs were initially implemented for voice communication, but data communication is a key focus with the latest offerings

27. Circuit Switching vs Packet Switching • Circuit Switched • Need to establish a physical connection between two communicating parties (i.e. telephone) • Usage charges based on time of connection • Connections cannot be shared • Work well for voice communication; not so well for data • Packet Switched • Dedicated connection not required for communication • Data transferred using packets that contain destination address • Many users can share a single connection • Usage charges based on amount of data transferred

28. Network issues • Increased bandwidth • Always-on capability • Lower costs • Enhanced services • Interoperability and roaming

29. GPRS coverage

30. Vodafone coverage in the UK

31. GSM coverage in the US

32. WWAN Evolution Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

33. 3G coverage by 3 in Denmark

34. WWAN Applications • WWANs are still primarily used for voice communications • Adoption of data services has been strong for text messaging, and now, multimedia messaging • Consumer uses include wireless Internet access, whereas corporate usage is often focused on smart client synchronization and PIM and email access • The widespread deployment of 3G networks has been hindered by Wi-Fi hotspots

35. WiFi hotspots in the UK

36. Network Summary

37. Access to Corporate Infrastructure WAP PDA Clients GSM Connections Access Network Mobile Network Dial-upConnections GPRS Connections Firewall for DMZ EVO Comms Server WAP Gateway IMAP/SMTP Proxy HTTP Proxy Radius Server Corporate WAN (Intranet) MS Mobile Exchange Service WAP/xHTML Portal Service Multi-channel Information Service Existing Services

38. GPRS Core network Internet GGSN AP Transparent access to Internet • IP address of MS is allocated from the GPRS operator’s addressing space • Static address permanently assigned to MS • Dynamic address assigned by GGSN at context activation SGSN BSC BTS e.g. APN: web.pro.be Operator’s ISP network DNS Edge router

39. GPRS Core network Intranet Non-transparent access to intranet or ISP • IP address of MS allocated from address space of intranet or ISP • Subscriber can be authenticated by RADIUS or DHCP server of intranet or ISP GGSN e.g. APN: gprs.telindus.be SGSN BSC BTS AP Dedicated line Router Servers: RADIUS DNS

40. BG BG GRX GRX GRX BG BG BG BG GPRS Roaming Network • GPRS Roaming eXchange (GRX) • Each GRX acts as a hub of a larger network Operator F GPRS Roaming Network Operator A BG Operator B BG Operator C BG Operator E Operator D

41. Mobile and Wireless Application Architecture Databases Legacy Systems ExternalApplications Thin Client Fat Client

42. Remote Web Pages Local Code Thin Client/Fat Client Scenario Web Server Services on Server MobileWebBrowser .NET CF & J2ME Device Operating System

43. Future Dreams anno 1993