Platforms and tools for Web Services and Mobile Applications

Bent Thomsen

Aalborg University

3rd and 4th of June 2004

Welcome to a world of

Fun and

Frustrations

Overview

• Overview

• Browser based clients

• J2ME based clients

• .Net CF based Clients

• Trends and Future

Mobile computing and wireless communication just a few years ago

Future Applications

Tom downloads an exercise planning application written in Java.

While Tom is climbing, the application monitors the details of

Tom’s condition.

The application automatically develops a near-term fitness plan appropriate for Tom given his current physical condition.

The application automatically finds and recognizes the various health monitoring gadgets which Tom is wearing.

Now I can really start‘extreming’

…

Shopping in the future

Finding you way around

Marie buys a new phone. She is showing it to her friend Susie.

Marie gives names to positions. Marie leaves to work, surprised that her phone helped her not to be late.

The device has learnt where Brandi likes to visit and what she does.

Look, it remembers!

I am going to teach my phone my

habits.

Your phone is peeping

Looks cool!

After one week…

Definition of Mobile and Wireless

• 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

Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

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

Variability of the mobile environment

Connectivity• connected• semi-connected (asymmetric)• disconnected

Mobile Device Capability• form factor• GUI• multimedia• real-time multimedia

Mobility• stationary• nomadic (pedestrian speed)• mobile (vehicular speed)• roaming (mobile across networks)

M-Commerce

• Digital purchase– Ring tones– Pictures– Games– Other applications

• Mobile Banking• Information Services• Location based services• Mobile Shopping• Mobile Advertisement

M-Business

• Mobile Office

• Field Sales

• Field Services

• Transportation and Logistics

Which applications are enterprises interested in launching first?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

WirelessEmail

PIM Internetaccess

WirelessCRM/ ERP

Respondents saying high interest

Base: 122 RespondentsGartner Wireless SurveyMarch 2002

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

Wireless Environment

• Wireless Operators and Service Providers

• Device Manufacturers

• Hardware vendors

• Software infrastructure Providers

• Independent Software Vendors

• System Integrators

Challenges

• 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++

Device characteristics

• Size and weight• Memory• Processors type and speed• Screen

– Size and colour– Indoor/Outdoor

• OS• Software support• Expansion capabilities• Built-in functionality

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

Devices – Four Types of Footprints

No Device-Resident Apps

No Local Database

Mobile Extension of Desktop Desktop-Sync

Rich Device-Resident AppsLocal Database

Always On Always Connected; No Sync Required

Offline + Online

Wireless Networks

Satellite

WPAN Illustration

Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

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

WLAN Configurations• Wireless LAN with Access Points

Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

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

WLAN Configurations

Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

Peer to Peer Wireless LAN

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

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

Network issues

• Increased bandwidth

• Always-on capability

• Lower costs

• Enhanced services

• Interoperability and roaming

GPRS coverage

Vodafone coverage in the UK

GSM coverage in the US

WWAN Evolution

Image courtesy of “Mobile and Wireless Design Essentials” (Mallick 2003)

3G coverage by 3 in Denmark

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

WiFi hotspots in the UK

Network SummaryType of Network

Coverage Area

Function Associated cost

Typical Throughput

Standards

Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN)

personal operating space, typically 10 meters

cable replacement technology, personal networks

very low 0.1 – 4 Mbps IrDA, Bluetooth, 802.15

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN)

In buildings or campuses, typically 100 meters

Extension or alternative to wired LAN

low - medium

1 – 54 Mbps 802.11a, b, g, HomeRF, HyperLAN/2

Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN)

Coverage provided on national basis from multiple carriers

Extension of LAN

medium - high

8 kbps – 2 Mbps

GSM, TDMA, CDMA, GPRS, EDGE, WCMA

Satellite Networks

global coverage

Extension of LAN

very high 2 kbps to 19.2 kbps

WirelessMatrix

AccessAccessNetworkNetwork MobileMobile

NetworkNetwork

WAP GatewayIMAP/SMTP Proxy

HTTP Proxy

MS MobileExchange

Service

WAP/xHTMLPortal

Service

Multi-channelInformation

Service

ExistingServices

EVO CommsServer

Corporate WAN Corporate WAN (Intranet)(Intranet)

Dial-upConnections

GSM Connections

GPRS Connections

RadiusServer

Firewallfor DMZ

Access to Corporate Infrastructure

WAPPDAClients

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

BTS SGSNGPRS

Core network

GGSN

AP

DNS Edge routerInternet

Operator’s ISP network

e.g. APN: web.pro.be

BSC

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

BTS BSC SGSNGPRS

Core network

GGSN

AP

Router

IntranetServers:RADIUSDNS

Dedicated line

e.g. APN: gprs.telindus.be

GPRS Roaming Network• GPRS Roaming eXchange (GRX)

– Each GRX acts as a hub of a larger network

Operator A

Operator B

Operator C

BG

BG

BG

GRX GRX

GRX

BG

BG BG

BG BG

BG

Operator D

Operator F

Operator E

GPRS Roaming Network

Mobile and Wireless Application Architecture

ExternalExternalApplicationsApplications

Legacy SystemsLegacy Systems

DatabasesDatabases

Thin Thin ClientClient

Fat Fat ClientClient

Thin Client/Fat Client Scenario

Local Code

Remote Web Pages

Web ServerWeb Server

Mobile Web Browser

Mobile Web Browser

.NET CF & J2ME.NET CF & J2ME

Services on ServerServices on Server

Device Operating SystemDevice Operating System

Future Dreams anno 1993