Simple configuration of wireless networks is a hot topic at the moment. Microsoft’s Rally program will include an implementation of the Wi-Fi Alliance‘s new protocol, code named Simple Config. Microsoft’s version is called Windows Connect Now-NET. Intel released an open source reference implementation.

Frank Hanzlik, the Wi-Fi Alliance’s managing director, is quoted in a WiFiNetNews posting though as saying “Simple Config isn’t quite as simple as all that.” For somebody implementing it, that is perhaps true, but it should be much simpler for end users.

Devicescape, my employer, is holding a free seminar next week to explain simple config from both a user’s perspective and, perhaps more importantly at the moment, from an engineer’s perspective.

Following on from my Asterisk enabled access point last year, I will be showing how to integrate Devicescape’s implementation of the proposed protocol (called Easy Access Technology) into a consumer device. That device this year is a home-made digital picture frame that connects to Flickr for its photos.

If you are going to be in the vicinity of the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose around 8:30am on Wednesday June 14, please stop by, pick up breakfast, say hello or ask any questions you might have about simple config or building a digital photo frame. If you can’t attend, or would like more information, drop me a line at my work email: john <at> devicescape <dot> com.

Two nights in a row now I have tried to get on the SF TechConnect wireless network at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, only to find that they are blocking access to the web (i.e. connections on port 80). Seems to be intentional since I was able to establish an ssh connection without any problems.

It will be a shame if this is a permanent change as it was very pleasant being able to get cup of coffee from Peets in the ferry building and then sit and check email, surf the web or connect back to my desktop and work (guess I can still do this part as long as they don’t block port 22 as well).