New Specifications on IPv4, 1394b Cables and Connectors

The 1394 Trade Association issued a set of new specifications covering compliance for IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) over 1394, High definition Audio-Video networking protection and content service, and cable and connectors up to 4.5 meters.

The IPv4 over 1394 specification defines compliance tests for IPv4 over IEEE-1394, focusing on the features and functions specific to IPv4 over IEEE-1394 – not IPv4 in general. It covers verification of IEEE 1394-2008 and its supplements for the transport of IPv4 datagrams, and defines tests to verify the methods for an address resolution protocol (1394 ARP) and a multicast channel allocation protocol (MCAP), both of which are specific to 1394.

The new cable and connector specification evaluates cable and connector products against the established test criteria for the 1394 standards. The document establishes the performance requirements for all short haul copper connectors and cable assemblies up to 4.5 meters long with plugs at both ends manufactured according to IEEE 1394-2008. It covers 1394b (beta and bilingual) short haul connector and cable assemblies up to 4.5 meters long with plugs at both ends, and incorporates all the compliance criteria already in place for 4 circuit and 6 circuit short haul connectors and cables. “Verifying all dimensional, intermatability and performance characteristics of connectors and cable assembly manufacturing according to the 1394 standard is important to achieving market acceptance,” said Max Bassler, 1394 Trade Association chairman.

New HANA Specifications
The first new HANA specification details the content protection mechanisms and use cases within the High Definition Audio Video system architecture. It provides the required elements and behavior for handling protected content, preventing access for unapproved uses both within the HANA home networks and pre-empting distribution beyond the HANA home network to which it is licensed.

Content protection in HANA is designed to operate at the aggregated network level instead of in individual devices. Content in the home is free to move between and be copied to any HANA device in the cluster without any restriction. The content protection controls enable movement of audio and video within the cluster, while protecting it from unauthorized redistribution of unprotected content to outside the HANA cluster.

In addition, the Trade Association has completed the HANA content services specification, which manages content information and access such as play lists. HANA devices use a content directory to make items available to other HANA devices, including content physically stored in the device or information residing on a storage medium outside of the device. For example, content can be located on a network-attached hard drive or other storage medium outside of the HANA device.