The Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) has shifted its focus to interoperability and ease of implementation in an effort to establish an open global interface standard for network video products.
Web Services was chosen as the core technology for ONVIF specification because it facilitates implementation and ensures conformance. Existing Web Services framework – such as specifications for device discovery, event handling and security – paves the way for modern and future-proof technology platforms.
“Web Services is a modern technology with several capabilities that make it ideal for implementation in network-based products,” says ONVIF Technical Committee Chairman Dr. Hans Busch of Bosch Security Systems. “The technology allows for quick and easy integration thanks to source code generation through standardized WSDL (Web Services Description Language). Data type conformance comes automatically with the generated code, relieving developers from making their own interpretation of the interface. This approach eliminates the risk of misinterpretations and ensures conformance to the interface specification.”
Specifications such as WS-Addressing, WS-BaseNotification and WS-Security are derived by standardization organizations such as W3C1 and OASIS2, says Busch. “Within ONVIF, we aim to utilize existing standards and only create something new where it is necessary,” he adds.
This developer-friendly platform will enable efficient development of conformant products.
Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems and Sony Corp. established ONVIF in 2008 in an effort to facilitate the development and use of a global open standard for the interface of network video products. ONVIF membership is open to manufacturers, software developers, consultants, system integrators, end-users and other interest groups.
