What is an OBEX?
OBEX (Object Exchange) is primarily a communications protocol. The Infrared Data Association maintains the protocol standard and is sometimes referred to as Infrared OBEX or IrOBEX. The protocol’s primary purpose is to exchange binary objects between two devices. As a result, the OBEX protocol acts similar to the HTTP protocol and lets the user’s computer make requests from the server or send pictures, calendar entries, files, business/vCards to the server.
What Type of Networks Use the OBEX Protocol?
The OBEX protocol is normally used with ad hoc wireless networks. Prior to this, the protocol was primarily used for infrared communications between devices. The standard has now been extended to TCP/IP networks, Bluetooth, and most other transport devices. It has also become an industry approved specification for Personal Area Networks (PANs) that use one or many of the above network protocols.
Devices that Support the OBEX Protocol
Most of the mobile and smart phones made today support the OBEX protocol. The first such devices to run OBEX were Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) such as the Palm Pilot. Other companies and brands that support OBEX are Microsoft Windows 2000, newer versions of the mobile OX, Sony-Ericsson, Siemens, HP CapShare, and JetSend Scanners.
How does OBEX Work?
OBEX is a session protocol and uses binary formatted transmissions. The protocol packet uses a header that is a binary formatted length value, which permits information exchange based on an object’s value or a given request’s specifics. The OBEX protocol also makes a single transport connection branch off to other related operations if session support backs it up. If a resulting transaction closes, then the OBEX protocol can help resume the transaction with the information required for it to continue being unchanged.
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