Jini set for important role

Sun Microsystems finally let Jini out of the bottle this week, backed by 37 licensee partners including 3Com, IBM and Toshiba, writes Lisa Kelly.

The Java-based software - which allows a device to automatically identify itself and its capabilities when plugged into a network - is Sun's answer to Microsoft's proposed Universal Plug-and-Play. Both technologies remove the need to install separate drivers on the operating system to manage each device. The difference is that Plug-and-Play is Windows-specific, while Jini works with any device that has a Java virtual machine.

Consumer electronics firms and enterprise computing companies are backing the technology. Novell plans to integrate Jini into its directory services software.

Ovum analyst Gary Barnett said that it is important Jini grants three wishes - the ability to plug any device into any network port and have it available to users of that network, to be able to centrally manage that device, and for it to work with Windows PCs.

Glen Knight, network administrator at Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology, believes Jini could make his job easier: 'By cutting out the issue of cross-platforms and hardware devices it saves time as there is no problem with finding the driver,' he said.

Sun said that the prototypes demonstrated at this week's launch will start to reach the market in the second half of 1999. This will coincide with the second release of Jini which will include 'enhancements in security for higher-end devices.'

KEY POINTS

• Jini works with any device that has a Java virtual machine
• Jini was launched on Monday. Prototypes are scheduled to hit the market later this year.