Rendezvous enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Also known as zero-configuration networking, Rendezvous uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically find each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers. Rendezvous is an open protocol, which Apple has submitted to the IETF as part of the ongoing standards-creation process. In order to provide a true zero configuration experience, Rendezvous requires that devices implement three essential things. These devices must be able to:
– allocate IP addresses without a DHCP server
– translate between names and IP addresses without a DNS server
– locate or advertise services without using a directory server
Rendezvous technology is now available on Windows 2000 and XP. This preview release includes full link-local support, allowing Windows machines to discover advertised HTTP and FTP servers using Internet Explorer. It also includes a printer setup wizard which allows Windows machines to print to Rendezvous networked printers, including USB shared printers connected to the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express Base Stations. With the included Rendezvous SDK, Windows and Java developers can begin the process of adding Rendezvous service discovery to their applications.
More info and download link here.
Mizhou:
I still remember sitting in and MS Windows NT course, when we had to cover WINS one afternoon.
By the end of it, my business partner and I were looking at each other trying to imagine what crackpipe somebody was using when they dreamt up that steaming pile of crap.
Also, I prefer to see ZeroConf as the theoretical concept and Rendezvous as a reference implementation for the rest of the industry to use.