XPL Protocol


xPL is an open protocol intended to permit the control and monitoring of home automation devices. The primary design goal of xPL is to provide a rich set of features and functionality, whilst maintaining an elegant, uncomplicated message structure. The protocol includes complete discovery and auto-configuration capabilities which support a fully "plug-n-play" architecture - essential to ensure a good end-user experience.

xPL benefits from a strongly specified message structure, required to ensure that xPL-enabled devices from different vendors are able to communicate without the risk of incompatibilities. [1]

Communications between xPL applications on a Local Area Network (LAN) use UDP on port 3865.[2]

xPL development has primarily occurred in the DIY community, where users have written connecting software to existing protocols and devices. Some examples include bridges to other home automation protocols like Z-Wave[3] and UPB.[4] Commercially, the Logitech SqueezeCenter software for the Squeezebox supports xPL.[5]

  1. ^ "About the Project". The xPL Project Web Site. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  2. ^ Lansell, Mal. "xPL Primer". xPL Monkey Web Site. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  3. ^ Lansell, Mal. "xPLMonkey Z-wave Page". xPL Monkey Web Site. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  4. ^ Duprey, Gerald R Jr (5 July 2008). "UPB4Java V1.2c - Java API for the UPB automation protocol". xPL4Java Web Site. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  5. ^ "SqueezeboxWiki xPL Page". SqueezeboxWiki. Retrieved 23 April 2012.