IrNET is a protocol that efficiently enables two IrDA peers to carry TCP/IP traffic.
If you're looking for an efficient way to carry TCP/IP traffic between two infrared devices, IrNET might be the answer. This protocol works by using PPP packets to pass information to and from IrTTP. Since IrTTP offers a reliable sequenced packet service instead of a byte stream, IrNET is able to handle data effectively. It's basically a way to carry TCP/IP in an IrDA socket, with PPP acting as glue.
One of the main benefits of IrNET over other options like PPP over IrCOMM is that it avoids framing and serial emulation, which can slow things down. Additionally, IrNET can handle multipoint communications in a way that makes sense. Incomming connections can be handled automatically through irnetd.
Another advantage of IrNET is that it relies on PPP for link management, which is more standard, interoperable, and flexible than the IrLAN protocol. For example, PPP adds features like authentication, encryption, compression, header compression, and automated routing setup. Plus, since IrNET lets PPP do most of the work, it's a simpler implementation than IrLAN.
Microsoft initially introduced IrNET in the IrDA stack of Windows 2000, and they eventually decided to remove both IrCOMM and IrLAN in favor of IrNET. While IrNET isn't yet an official IrDA specification (though there are rumors of something called IrDial), it has been included in Linux kernel 2.4.0-test11 and all subsequent versions of the kernel. The latest version of IrNET can be found in Linux kernel 2.4.15. Overall, IrNET is a great option for carrying TCP/IP traffic efficiently between infrared devices.
One of the main benefits of IrNET over other options like PPP over IrCOMM is that it avoids framing and serial emulation, which can slow things down. Additionally, IrNET can handle multipoint communications in a way that makes sense. Incomming connections can be handled automatically through irnetd.
Another advantage of IrNET is that it relies on PPP for link management, which is more standard, interoperable, and flexible than the IrLAN protocol. For example, PPP adds features like authentication, encryption, compression, header compression, and automated routing setup. Plus, since IrNET lets PPP do most of the work, it's a simpler implementation than IrLAN.
Microsoft initially introduced IrNET in the IrDA stack of Windows 2000, and they eventually decided to remove both IrCOMM and IrLAN in favor of IrNET. While IrNET isn't yet an official IrDA specification (though there are rumors of something called IrDial), it has been included in Linux kernel 2.4.0-test11 and all subsequent versions of the kernel. The latest version of IrNET can be found in Linux kernel 2.4.15. Overall, IrNET is a great option for carrying TCP/IP traffic efficiently between infrared devices.
What's New
Version 1.0.0: N/A