<p>Response codes have been removed and replaced by XMPP compliant IQ error stanzas. The table below shows how old status codes map to XMPP IQ error elements.</p>
<p>The <strong>getFormResponse</strong> element has been removed.</p>
<p>The <strong>setResponse</strong> is now only used when configuration is successful.</p>
<p>The <strong>parameter</strong> subelement to <strong>setResponse</strong> has been reintroduced. Examples are provided in XEP-0324.</p>
<p>The element <strong>paramError</strong> has been introduced, and can be used to provide error information that are linked to control parameters.</p>
<p>Added anchors to all second level subsections.</p>
<p>The section 'Reading current control states' has been updated to include two methods: One simple method only using control forms, and a second, using Sensor Data (XEP-0323).</p>
<p>Harmonization of data types between XEP-0323 and XEP-0325.</p>
<p>The attribute <strong>writable</strong> used to correlate fields in XEP-0323 with control parameters is described.</p>
</remark>
</revision>
<revision>
<version>0.2</version>
<date>2014-03-10</date>
<initials>pw</initials>
<remark>
<p>Namespace in dynamic form examples has been changed to urn:xmpp:xdata:dynamic.</p>
<p>Corrected the namespace used for parameterGroup elements in the examples of the document.</p>
<p>Added support for color values with alpha channel.</p>
<p>Updated the schema to more strictly validate references to x-data forms.</p>
<p>Schema was updated to reflect the correct relationship between the x-data subelement in a set operation.</p>
<p>Fixed links to documents with new numbers.</p>
<p>Changed namespace urn:xmpp:sn to urn:xmpp:iot</p>
<p>Schema was corrected: The parameter sub-element in the setResponse element was removed.</p>
</remark>
</revision>
<revision>
<version>0.1</version>
<date>2013-05-06</date>
<initials>psa</initials>
<remark>
<p>Initial published version approved by the XMPP Council.</p>
Actuators are devices in sensor networks that can be controlled through the network and act with the outside world. In sensor networks and Internet of Things applications,
actuators make it possible to automate real-world processes. This document defines a mechanism whereby actuators can be controlled in XMPP-based sensor networks, making it
possible to integrate sensors and actuators of different brands, makes and models into larger Internet of Things applications.
</p>
<p>
Note has to be taken, that these XEP's are designed for implementation in sensors, many of which have very limited amount of memory (both RAM and ROM) or resources (processing power).
Therefore, simplicity is of utmost importance. Furthermore, sensor networks can become huge, easily with millions of devices in peer-to-peer networks.
</p>
<p>
Sensor networks contains many different architectures and use cases. For this reason, the sensor network standards have been divided into multiple XEPs according to the following table:
<td>Defines the peculiars of sensor discovery in sensor networks. Apart from discovering sensors by JID, it also defines how to discover sensors based on location, etc.</td>
<td>Defines guidelines for how to achieve interoperability in sensor networks, publishing interoperability interfaces for different types of devices.</td>
<td>Defines how human-to-machine interfaces should be constructed using chat messages to be user friendly, automatable and consistent with other IoT extensions and possible underlying architecture.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XEP-0322</td>
<td>
Defines how to EXI can be used in XMPP to achieve efficient compression of data. Albeit not a sensor network specific XEP, this XEP should be considered
in all sensor network implementations where memory and packet size is an issue.
Provides the underlying architecture, basic operations and data structures for sensor data communication over XMPP networks.
It includes a hardware abstraction model, removing any technical detail implemented in underlying technologies. This XEP is used by all other sensor network XEPs.
<p>The following table lists common terms and corresponding descriptions.</p>
<dl>
<di>
<dt>Actuator</dt>
<dd>Device containing at least one configurable property or output that can and should be controlled by some other entity or device.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Computed Value</dt>
<dd>A value that is computed instead of measured.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Concentrator</dt>
<dd>Device managing a set of devices which it publishes on the XMPP network.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Field</dt>
<dd>
One item of sensor data. Contains information about: Node, Field Name, Value, Precision, Unit, Value Type, Status, Timestamp, Localization information, etc.
Fields should be unique within the triple (Node ID, Field Name, Timestamp).
</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Field Name</dt>
<dd>Name of a field of sensor data. Examples: Energy, Volume, Flow, Power, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Field Type</dt>
<dd>What type of value the field represents. Examples: Momentary Value, Status Value, Identification Value, Calculated Value, Peak Value, Historical Value, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Historical Value</dt>
<dd>A value stored in memory from a previous timestamp.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Identification Value</dt>
<dd>A value that can be used for identification. (Serial numbers, meter IDs, locations, names, etc.)</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Localization information</dt>
<dd>Optional information for a field, allowing the sensor to control how the information should be presented to human viewers.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Meter</dt>
<dd>A device possible containing multiple sensors, used in metering applications. Examples: Electricity meter, Water Meter, Heat Meter, Cooling Meter, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Momentary Value</dt>
<dd>A momentary value represents a value measured at the time of the read-out.</dd>
Graphs contain nodes and edges between nodes. In Internet of Things, sensors, actuators, meters, devices, gatewats, etc., are often depicted as nodes whereas links between sensors (friendships)
are depicted as edges. In abstract terms, it's easier to talk about a Node, rather than list different possible node types (sensors, actuators, meters, devices, gateways, etc.).
An ID uniquely identifying a node within its corresponding context. If a globally unique ID is desired, an architecture should be used using a universally accepted
on nodes/devices. Fields are not parameters, and parameters are not fields.
</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Peak Value</dt>
<dd>A maximum or minimum value during a given period.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Precision</dt>
<dd>
In physics, precision determines the number of digits of precision. In sensor networks however, this definition is not easily applicable. Instead, precision
determines, for example, the number of decimals of precision, or power of precision. Example: 123.200 MWh contains 3 decimals of precision. All entities parsing and
delivering field information in sensor networks should always retain the number of decimals in a message.
</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Sensor</dt>
<dd>
Device measuring at least one digital value (0 or 1) or analog value (value with precision and physical unit). Examples: Temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc.
Sensor values are reported as fields during read-out. Each sensor has a unique Node ID.
</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>SN</dt>
<dd>Sensor Network. A network consisting, but not limited to sensors, where transport and use of sensor data is of primary concern. A sensor network may contain actuators, network applications, monitors, services, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Status Value</dt>
<dd>A value displaying status information about something.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Timestamp</dt>
<dd>Timestamp of value, when the value was sampled or recorded.</dd>
A client, device or user can get a token from a provisioning server. These tokens can be included in requests to other entities in the network, so these entities can validate
<dd>Physical unit of value. Example: MWh, l/s, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Value</dt>
<dd>A field value.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Value Status</dt>
<dd>Status of field value. Contains important status information for Quality of Service purposes. Examples: Ok, Error, Warning, Time Shifted, Missing, Signed, etc.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>Value Type</dt>
<dd>Can be numeric, string, boolean, Date & Time, Time Span or Enumeration.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>WSN</dt>
<dd>Wireless Sensor Network, a sensor network including wireless devices.</dd>
</di>
<di>
<dt>XMPP Client</dt>
<dd>Application connected to an XMPP network, having a JID. Note that sensors, as well as applications requesting sensor data can be XMPP clients.</dd>
</di>
</dl>
</section1>
<section1topic='Use Cases'anchor='usecases'>
<p>
Control in sensor networks is about setting output values. To make the implementation simple, it is assumed that control of a device can be made using a single message.
If only a simple set operation is requested, a <message> stanza can be sent. If an acknowledgement (ACK) of the operation (or Not-acknowledgement NACK) of the operation
is desired, an <iq> stanza can be used instead.
</p>
<p>
To set control parameters in a device, the <strong>set</strong> command is sent to the device. The set command allows for two different ways of setting control parameters:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Using strongly typed parameters. This way performs best in EXI compression and automation.</li>
<li>Using a weakly typed data form. This might be better for manually setting control parameters, since it allows the device to give the user a better user interface explaining
available control parameters.</li>
</ul>
<p>
What type of control parameters there are available in different types of devices is described in
Note that any response is supressed when sending a message stanza, regardless if the desired control command could be executed or not. The following example shows how the same
control command could be issued using an IQ stanza instead:
</p>
</section3>
<section3topic='Sending a control command using an IQ stanza'>
<p>
Following is an example of a control command sent using an iq stanza:
<strong>Note:</strong> An empty <strong>setResponse</strong> element means that the control command was executed as provided in the request. Sometimes, the device
can restrict the command to a subset of nodes and/or parameters. In such cases, the <strong>setResponse</strong> element will contain what nodes and/or parameters
In the following use cases, often a message stanza will be used to illustrate the point. However, the same operation could equally well be used using an iq stanza instead.
</p>
</section3>
<section3topic='Control failure response'>
<p>
By using an IQ stanza, the caller can receive an acknowledgement of the reception of the command, or error information if the command could not be processed.
Following is an example of a control command sent using an iq stanza, where the receiver reports an error back to the caller:
The following sub-sections illustrate how to set parameters of different types in a device.
</p>
<section3topic='Setting a single boolean-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single boolean-valued control parameters is a common use case, for instance when controlling digital outputs. The following example shows how a boolean value
can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single boolean-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting a single 32-bit integer-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single integer-valued control parameters is a common use case, for instance when controlling analog outputs. The following example shows how a 32-bit integer value
can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single 32-bit integer-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting a single 64-bit integer-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single integer-valued control parameters is a common use case, for instance when controlling analog outputs. Even though 32-bit integers may cover most control needs,
it might in some cases be limiting. Therefore, a 64-bit control parameters can be created. The following example shows how a 64-bit integer value
can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single 64-bit integer-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting a single string-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single string-valued control parameters is a common use case, for instance when controlling text displays. The following example shows how a string value
can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single string-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting a single double-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single double-valued control parameters can be an alternative form of controlling analog outputs for instance. The following example shows how a double value
can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single double-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting a single color-valued control parameter'>
<p>
Setting single color values in a device can occur in instances where color or lighting is important. Sometimes color is set using enumerations (string-valued
or integer-valued parameters), and sometimes as a color property. The following example shows how a color value can be set in a device.
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting a single color-valued control parameter'>
<section3topic='Setting multiple control parameters at once'>
<p>
Often, setting a single control parameter is not sufficient for a control action. In these cases, setting multiple control parameters at once is necessary.
The <strong>set</strong> command makes this easy however, since it allows for any number of control parameters to be set at once, as the following example shows:
</p>
<examplecaption='Setting multiple control parameters at once'>
Sometimes the order of control parameters are important in the device, and sometimes the parameters form part of a whole. It depends on the context of the device.
In the above example, the order is important. When the OutputPercent control parameter is set, it will start to fade in or out to the desired setting (10%), using the
fade time set previously. If the FadeTimeMilliseconds control parameter would have been set after the OutputPercent parameter, the fading would have been started using
the previous setting, which might be unknown.
</p>
<p>
The order of control parameters to use depends on the device. The <linkurl='#controlform'>Control Form</link> lists available control parameters of the device in the
order they are expected to be sent to the device. The XEP <linkurl='xep-0000-IoT-Interoperability.html'>xep-0000-IoT-Interoperability</link> details what control parameters
In this example, the FadeTimeMilliseconds and OutputPercent control parameters are sent, while the MainSwitch control parameter is left as is. Fading is therefore
parformed only if the dimmer is switched on.
</p>
</section3>
<section3topic='Setting a (partial) control form, Failure'>
A device can reject a control form submission. It does this returning an <strong>error</strong> iq stanza. If there are errors in the form, details are listed
<section3topic='Sending a control command to multiple nodes'>
<p>
The client can send the same control command to multiple nodes behind a concentrator by simply adding more <strong>node</strong> elements in the request,
as is shown in the following example:
</p>
<examplecaption='Sending a control command to multiple nodes'>
<section3topic='Sending a control command to multiple nodes, Failure'>
<p>
By using an IQ stanza, the caller can receive an acknowledgement of the reception of the command, or error information if the command could not be processed.
When sending a control command to multiple nodes at a time the device must validate all parameters against all nodes before taking any control action. If
validation fails, an error message is returned and no control action is taken. The following example shows an example of an erroneous control message made to
multiple nodes on a device:
</p>
<examplecaption='Sending a control command to multiple nodes, Failure'>
adding a sequence of <strong>node</strong> elements to a <strong>getForm</strong> command sent to the concentrator, as is shown in the following example:
A device can reject a control form request. It does this returning an <strong>error</strong> iq stanza. The following example shows the device rejecting
A device can reject a control form submission. It does this returning an <strong>error</strong> iq stanza. The following example shows the device rejecting a
<p>If an entity supports the protocol specified herein, it MUST advertise that fact by returning a feature of "urn:xmpp:iot:control" in response to &xep0030; information requests.</p>
<examplecaption="Service discovery information request">
In order for an application to determine whether an entity supports this protocol, where possible it SHOULD use the dynamic, presence-based profile of service discovery defined
in &xep0115;. However, if an application has not received entity capabilities information from an entity, it SHOULD use explicit service discovery instead.
Depending on the reason for rejecting a control request, different XMPP errors can be returned, according to the description in the following table. The table also
lists recommended error type for each error. Error stanzas may also include <strong>paramError</strong> child elements to provide additional textual error information that
corresponds to a particular control parameter provided in the request. Any custom error message not related to control parameters is returned in a <strong>text</strong>
<td>If the caller lacks privileges to perform the action.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>cancel</td>
<td>item-not-found</td>
<td>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-stanzas</td>
<td>If an item, parameter or data source could not be found.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>modify</td>
<td>bad-request</td>
<td>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-stanzas</td>
<td>If the request was malformed. Examples can include trying to set a parameter to a value outside the allowed range.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>cancel</td>
<td>feature-not-implemented</td>
<td>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-stanzas</td>
<td>If an action has not been implemented in the device.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>wait</td>
<td>conflict</td>
<td>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-stanzas</td>
<td>If an item was locked by another user or process and could not be accessed. The operation can be retried at a later point in time.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</section2>
<section2topic='Reading current control states'anchor='currentstates'>
<section3topic='Using Control Forms'>
<p>
The simplest way to read the current control states of a device, is to request the control form of the device. The control form should contain the current
values for all avilable control parameters. However, since current states might not be available at the time of the request, the states might be delivered
asynchronously, using messages defined in &xep0336;.
</p>
<p>
Using this method has the advantage that a small actuator device does not need to implement other XEPs to support readout of current control states. If the device
contains all current states readily accessible, there's no need of asynchronous updates making readout simple and straightforward.
</p>
</section3>
<section3topic='Using XEP-0323 (Sensor Data)'>
<p>
A second option is to use &xep0323; to deliver current control states. Since this XEP contains mechanisms allowing for asynchronous readout of control parameter
states. This makes readout of such parameters simpler. However, there's a need to map values between the two XEPs.
</p>
<p>
If a client wants to know the current status of control parameters using this method, it performs a readout of <strong>Momentary</strong> and <strong>Status</strong> values
from the device, and from the returned set of values take the current control parameter value according to the following rules, ordered by priority:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>
If there's a field marked as momentary value, with an unlocalized field name equal to the unlocalized control parameter name and having a compatible
field value type (see table below) and a status field without the missing flag set, the value of the field should be considered the current value of
the control parameter.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
If there's a field marked as status value, with an unlocalized field name equal to the unlocalized control parameter name and having a compatible
field value type (see table below) and a status field without the missing flag set, the value of the field should be considered the current value of
the control parameter.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
To simplify mapping, a <strong>writable</strong> attribute can be used to inform the client if a field name corresponds to a control parameter or not. If the
attribute is available, it tells the client if it corresponds to a control parameter or not. If not available, no such deduction can be made.
</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Even though getting the the control form could provide the client with a quicker and easier way of retrieving control parameter values, the form is not
guaranteed to contain correct current values, as described above.
</p>
<p>
The following table shows how corresponding field values should be converted to the corresponding control parameter value based on field type (x-axis) and
control parameter type (y-axis). An empty cell means conversion has no meaning and types are not compatible.
</p>
<tablecaption='Conversion of Field Value to Control Parameter Value based on types'>
<tr>
<th>325 \ 323</th>
<th>boolean</th>
<th>date</th>
<th>dateTime</th>
<th>duration</th>
<th>enum</th>
<th>int</th>
<th>long</th>
<th>numeric</th>
<th>string</th>
<th>time</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>boolean</th>
<td>x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>!=0</td>
<td>!=0</td>
<td>!=0</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>color</th>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>RRGGBB or RRGGBBAA</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>date</th>
<td> </td>
<td>x</td>
<td>Date part</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>(1)</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>dateTime</th>
<td> </td>
<td>x</td>
<td>x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>(2)</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>double</th>
<td>Z2</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>x</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>(3)</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>duration</th>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>x</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>(4)</td>
<td>x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>int</th>
<td>Z2</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>Ordinal</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>Thunk</td>
<td>Thunk</td>
<td>(5)</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>long</th>
<td>Z2</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>Ordinal</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>Thunk</td>
<td>(5)</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>string</th>
<td>xs:boolean</td>
<td>xs:date</td>
<td>xs:dateTime</td>
<td>xs:duration</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>xs:int</td>
<td>xs:long</td>
<td>(6)</td>
<td>x</td>
<td>xs:time</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>time</th>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>Time part</td>
<td>(7)</td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>(8)</td>
<td>x</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>
The following table lists notes with details on how to do conversion, if in doubt.
</p>
<tablecaption="Conversion rules">
<tr>
<th>Note</th>
<th>Description</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(1)</td>
<td>
The client should try to convert the string to a date value, first according to the format specified by the XML data type xs:date, and if not possible
by RFC 822.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(2)</td>
<td>
The client should try to convert the string to a date & time value, first according to the format specified by the XML data type xs:dateTime, and if not possible
by RFC 822.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(3)</td>
<td>
The client should try to convert the string to a double-precision floating-point value, first according to the format specified by the XML data type xs:double,
and if not possible using system-local string to floating-point conversion using local decimal and throusand separator settings.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(4)</td>
<td>
The client should try to convert the string to a duration value, first according to the format specified by the XML data type xs:duration,
and if not possible using the XML data type xs:time.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(5)</td>
<td>The client should try to convert the string to an integer value according to the corresponding XML data type formats xs:int and xs:long.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(6)</td>
<td>
The numeric field value consists of three parts: Numeric value, number of decimals and optional unit. If no unit is provided, only the numeric value should
be converted to a string (compatible with the XML data type xs:double), using exactly the number of decimals provided in the field. If a unit is provided
(non-empty string) it must not be appended to the value, if the value is to be used for control output. For presentation purposes however, a space could be
appended to the number and the unit appended after the space.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(7)</td>
<td>
A duration field value contains a xs:duration value. The xs:duration has a larger domain than xs:time, and contains all xs:time values, but xs:time does
not contain all possible xs:duration values. So, conversion of an xs:duration value to an xs:time value should be performed only if a duration lies
between 00:00:00 and 23:59:59.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(8)</td>
<td>
The client should try to convert the string to a time value according to the format specified by the XML data type xs:time.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>x</td>
<td>Use the canonical conversion method.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Z2</td>
<td>true = 1, false = 0.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>!=0</td>
<td>Nonzero = true, Zero = false.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RRGGBB</td>
<td>A string of six hexadecimal characters, the first two the red component of the color, the next two the green component and the last two the blue component.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RRGGBBAA</td>
<td>A string of eight hexadecimal characters, the first two the red component of the color, the next two the green component, the following two the blue component and the last two the alpha channel.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Date part</td>
<td>Only the date part of the xs:dateTime value should be used.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Time part</td>
<td>Only the time part of the xs:dateTime value should be used.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ordinal</td>
<td>Each enumeration value may in the implementation correspond to an ordinal number.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thunk</td>
<td>The value is thunked down to lower precision in the canonical way.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>xs:boolean</td>
<td>Conversion to a string should follow the rules specified for the XML datatype xs:boolean.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>xs:dateTime</td>
<td>Conversion to a string should follow the rules specified for the XML datatype xs:dateTime.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>xs:duration</td>
<td>Conversion to a string should follow the rules specified for the XML datatype xs:duration.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>
<strong>Note:</strong> the namespace prefix <strong>xs</strong> is here supposed to be linked with the XML Schema namespace
<section3topic='Harmonization with XEP-0323 (Sensor Data)'anchor='harmonization'>
<p>
When representing control parameters as momentary field values, it is important to note the similarities and differences between XEP-0323 (Sensor Data) and XEP-0325 (this document):
</p>
<p>
The <strong>enum</strong> field value data type is not available in XEP-0325 (this document). Instead enumeration valued parameters are represented as <strong>string</strong> control
parameters, while the control form explicitly lists available options for the parameter. Options are not available in XEP-0323, since it would not be practical to list all options
every time the corresponding parameter was read out. Instead, the <strong>enum</strong> element contains a data type attribute, that can be used to identify the type of the enumeration.
</p>
<p>
The <strong>numeric</strong> field value data type is not available in XEP-0325 (this document). The reason is that a controller is not assumed to understand unit conversion. Any
floating-point valued control parameters are represented by <strong>double</strong> control parameters, which lack a unit attribute. They are assumed to have the same unit as
the corresponding <strong>numeric</strong> field value. On the other hand, floating point valued control parameters without units, are reported using the <strong>numeric</strong>
field element, but leaving the unit blank.
</p>
<p>
Control pameters of type <strong>color</strong> have no corresponding field value data type. The color value must be represented in another way, and is implementation specific.
Possibilities include representing the color as a string, using a specific pattern (for instance RRGGBBAA), or report it using multiple fields, one for each component for instance.
</p>
<p>
The <strong>boolean</strong>, <strong>date</strong>, <strong>dateTime</strong>, <strong>duration</strong>, <strong>int</strong>, <strong>long</strong>, <strong>string</strong>
and <strong>time</strong> field value data types correspond to control parameters having the same types and same element names.
A node defined in a concentrator, as defined by <linkurl='http://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0326.html'>Internet of Things - Concentrators</link>, supporting control has
Node parameters are defined by the node type in the concentrator, as described in <linkurl='http://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0326.html'>Internet of Things - Concentrators</link>,
and they are typically used by the concentrator to define the node and how to communicate or interact with the underlying device. The important part here is to know
that the node parameters are maintained by the concentrator, not the underlying device.
</p>
<p>
Control parameters however, are parameters that reside on the underlying device. When set, they change the actual state or behaviour of the underlying device.
The connection to the device however, controlled by the concentrator, remains unchanged by such a control parameter update.
</p>
</section2>
<section2topic='Grouping control parameters'anchor='parametergroups'>
Many control actions available in a device can be controlled using only one control parameter. If a device only publishes such control parameters, the order
However, there are many control actions that require the client to set multiple control parameters at the same time, for the device to have a complete understanding
what the client wants to do.
</p>
<p>
<linkurl='http://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0141.html'>XEP-0141</link> defines a way to group parameters in a data form by including the concept of pages and sections.
Even though these pages and sections are used for layout purposes, it should be used by devices to mark parameters that should be used together to perform control actions.
</p>
<p>
The following set of rules should be adhered to, by devices as well as clients, to minimize confusion and resulting errors:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>
Control parameters should be listed in control forms in the order the device expects the client to write them back.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Clients should set control parameters in the order they are listed in the corresponding control forms.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Control actions that require multiple control parameters should report these together, grouped by pages or sections within pages,
to make clear that the parameters belong together.
These default values should then be used by the device if a client happens to write only a subset of the control parameters required for
a control action. The default value could be the current state of the parameter.
</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Note however, that one cannot always make the assumption that parameters on the same page or same section in a control form belong to the same control action.
For instance, a PLC with 16 digital outputs might publish a control form containing a single page with 16 check boxes on (boolean parameters), that can be
controlled individually.
</p>
<p>
To solve the problem of grouping parameters together, so a client can know which parameters belong together, a new element is defined that can be used in
data forms: <strong>parameterGroup</strong>. It is optional, but can be added to control parameters in forms, as a way to tell the client that parameters
<strong>Note:</strong> If used, the server must not include a parameter in more than one parameter group at a time. The form may contain multiple group, but each
For more information about common control actions and their parameters, see <linkurl='xep-0000-IoT-Interoperability.html'>xep-0000-IoT-Interoperability.html</link>,
Nodes behind a concentrator, as defined in <linkurl='http://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0326.html'>Internet of Things - Concentrators</link>, have an additional means of
However, there are many differences between Node Commands and Control Parameters, as shown in the following list:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>
Node Commands are defined by the node type in the concentrator, and not by the device itself.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Node Commands may do many different things, not only performing control actions.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Parametrized Node Commands require the client to always get a parameter data form, and write back values. There's no way to send simple
control messages using Node Commands.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Node Commands can be partitioned, grouped and sorted separately.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Each Parametrized Node Command has a separate parameter form, which makes grouping of parameters normal.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
Node Commands are only available for nodes controlled by a concentrator.
</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>
If implementing a device with many complex control actions (like an advanced PLC), consideration should be made to divide the device into logical groups and
implement the concentrators interface as well. Then the more complex control actions could be implemented as Node Commands instead of control actions
as defined in this document, and implementing the simpler more intuitive control actions as described in this document.
Most examples in this document have been simplified examples where a few devices containing a few control parameters have been used. However, in many cases large subsystems with
very many actuators containing many different control actions have to be controlled, as is documented in
<linkurl='http://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0326.html'>Internet of Things - Concentrators</link>.
In such cases, a node may have to be specified using two or perhaps even three ID's: a <strong>sourceId</strong> identifying the data source controlling the device, a possible
<strong>cacheType</strong> narrowing down the search to a specific kind of node, and the common <strong>nodeId</strong>. For more information about this, see
<strong>Note:</strong> For cases where the <strong>nodeId</strong> is sufficient to uniquely identify the node, it is sufficient to provide this attribute in the request.
If there is ambiguity in the request, the receptor must treat the request as a request with a set of nodes, all with the corresponding <strong>nodeId</strong> as requested.
All timestamps and dateTime values use the XML data type xs:dateTime to specify values. These values include a date, an optional time and an optional time zone.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Note:</strong> If time zone is not available, it is supposed to be undefined. The client reading the sensor that reports fields without time zone information
should assume the sensor has the same time zone as the client, if not explicitly configured otherwise on the client side.
</p>
<p>
If devices report time zone, this information should be propagated throughout the system. Otherwise, comparing timestamps from different time zones will be impossible.
Control commands sent using IQ stanzas instead of messages, should consider using the <strong>xml:lang</strong> attribute to specify the desired language
used (if possible) when returning information back to the caller, like error messages, localized control forms, etc.
Controlling devices in a large sensor network is a hackers wet dream. Therefore, consideration of how network security is implemented should not be underestimated.
The following sections provide some general items that should be considered.
Consider to always use an encrypted connection with any XMPP Server used in the network. Also, make sure the server is properly authenticated and any server
certificate properly validated.
</p>
<p>
Control commands should only be accepted by trusted parties. A minimum is to make sure only authenticated and validated clients (friends) can perform control actions
Consider using provisioning servers to allow for detailed control of who can do what in a sensor network. Implementing proper provisioning support decreases
the risk for adverse effects, not only from intentional hacking, but also from unintentional errors.
</p>
<p>
If using delegated trust, make sure the provisioning servers are properly authenticated and validated before trusting them.
The <linkurl="#schema">protocol schema</link> needs to be added to the list of <linkurl="http://xmpp.org/resources/schemas/">XMPP protocol schemas</link>.
<section1topic='For more information'anchor='moreinfo'>
<p>
For more information, please see the following resources:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>
The <linkurl='http://wiki.xmpp.org/web/Tech_pages/SensorNetworks'>Sensor Network section of the XMPP Wiki</link> contains further information about the
use of the sensor network XEPs, links to implementations, discussions, etc.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
The XEP's and related projects are also available on <linkurl='https://github.com/joachimlindborg/'>github</link>, thanks to Joachim Lindborg.
</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>
A presentation giving an overview of all extensions related to Internet of Things can be found here:
