When you think of convergence, do you tend to think of voice/video/data? In truth a lot of vendors are looking to converge many kinds of networks. For instance, Cisco and Nivis this week showcased an effort to bring sensor networks into the IP fold, with endpoints directly addressable by back-end enterprise applications. So reports John Cox in his Network World blog.
At the Cisco Live! conference this week, Cisco and Nivis demonstrated an operational wireless IP mesh network using the low-power IPv6 protocol, dubbed 6LoWPAN. The demo relied on Nivis wireless sensors and routers to link a parking meter with several streetlights, a sensor ring in a parking space, and what was described as a Cisco cell phone. The demo then used this network to alert a driver of an available parking space and to send another message that the meter had expired. Cox notes that the setup could also be used to relate any number of other driving or traffic related messages: to tell security guards to turn on parking garage lights, or provide traffic meter staff with information about expired or inoperable meters.
6LoWPAN is an IETF draft standard (in which Cisco has been an active player) for IPv6 communication over IEEE 802.15.4 wireless nets, operating in the 2.4GHz band. Specifically designed for low-power applications, it can be used in sensors, instruments, even handhelds. It has builtpin AES-128-bit encryption
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