Enable UPnP discovery

[tombman]

I have created network with 5 computer(windows xp) for sharing data, file. The network is created in point to point topology. i want to know what is UPnP application and how to use it and how to enable UPnP, so i can add another devices easily in my network.Any help will be extremely appreciated.

[Big Fish]

The UPnP discovery protocol allows a device to announce to control points that it has become available on the network. It also allows control points to find devices that support services it wants to control.

When a device becomes available on a network, it advertises its embedded devices and services to control points on the network by multi casting Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) NOTIFY messages.

When a control point becomes available on the network, it searches for available devices and services by multicasting an SSDP M_SEARCH message using an HTTP multicast over UDP (HTTPMU) request. The search message contains a list of qualifications that specify the type of device or service for which the control point is searching.

If a device on the network contains embedded devices or services that match the search criteria, it responds to the control point with a UDP response that contains SSDP headers. Each response contains a URL from which the control point can retrieve device description information for that device.

[Shen]

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of networking protocols promulgated by the UPnP Forum. The goals of UPnP are to allow devices to connect seamlessly and to simplify the implementation of networks in the home (data sharing, communications, and entertainment) and in corporate environments for simplified installation of computer components. UPnP achieves this by defining and publishing UPnP device control protocols built upon open, Internet-based communication standards.

The term UPnP is derived from plug-and-play, a technology for dynamically attaching devices directly to a computer, although UPnP is not directly related to the earlier plug-and-play technology. UPnP devices are "plug-and-play" in that when connected to a network they automatically announce their network address and supported device and services types, enabling clients that recognize those types to immediately begin using the device.