The Thread specification was built to seamlessly and securely connect low-power devices to a wireless network. It is based on the widely used IEEE 802.15.4 radio standard and is built from the ground up on the established and proven IPv6 protocol. This streamlines integration with existing IP networks and offers native connectivity from individual devices all the way to the cloud.
Thread is currently deployed in a wide range of residential and commercial settings. To further extend the use of Thread in commercial applications, the latest version of the Thread specification has been extended and refined with specific functionality. Thread 1.2 with its Commercial Extensions makes some important improvements to the commissioning process, the number of devices able to connect on a network, and the way these networks areconfiguredand managed.
Network Commissioning and Application Commissioning
When talking about networks of smart devices and building management systems, the term Commissioning (which can carry different meanings) is often used.
Network Commissioning
For new devices, such as lighting fixtures, controls, sensors or HVAC components to be recognized and allowed to become part of a network, they need to be securely enrolled. Network Commissioning is the process of adding new devices to a network. In an Ethernet network, this means connecting the light fixtures to a router port and possibly adding security credentials to the device so that it will be allowed to join a network domain. For a wireless network, this is the process of letting the wireless network “discover” the wireless devices, providing the necessary credentials, and giving the network the authorization to include and operate the devices.
Application Commissioning
When devices are physically connected to a network as part of the network commissioning process (either wired or wireless), they need to be configured for a specific application purpose to put them to practical use. Devices in a network, such as temperature and movement sensors, light fixtures and climate control systems can be assigned to a specific room. This assures that the devices will be operated according to the user’s expectations, e.g. to control the lights in the room where she is present. Specific people can be assigned the rights to operate certain devices, possibly with a different level of access rights to change certain settings. Furthermore, some devices can be tied together to operate in a combined fashion, such as motion or temperature sensors to control lights, blinds and climate systems. All of these operations are defined in the application commissioning process.
Both the network commissioning and the application commissioning processes can be operated or optimized independently of one another. For example, moving devices between different Thread networks or adding new Thread networks can be done without the need to modify application settings such as IDs, security keys and addresses.
When network commissioning and application commissioning are completed, the network can be put into practical use. Devices will operate according to the way they are set up during the application commissioning process and can be operated and controlled by users. A variety of interaction methods are possible, like actions based on sensors or wall-mounted push buttons, remote controls, advanced control panels or even through a secure cloud-based control system, if the application so desires. Or users can use their smart phones to do fine-grained programming and control personal preferences.
Traditional network commissioning in Thread
Earlier versions of the Thread specification were designed to support hundreds of devices, which can securely be added to a network.
For the network commissioning of smaller networks, whether based on the Thread 1.1 or the new Thread 1.2 specification, installers can use the Thread commissioning app provided as a free resource for Android devices. This app can be used to easily add new devices to the network or reconfigure existing devices.
Thread Commissioning app for mobile devices
The Thread 1.2 specification and its new Commercial Extensions now allow for much larger scale networks, such as the ones required in office buildings, public buildings, hotels or other types of industrial or commercial building applications. Due to better support of subnetting, the specification now more easily allows thousands of devices in one deployment, which can be configured manually, autonomously and via advanced remote commissioning features.
Enhanced commissioning with the Commercial Extensions in Thread 1.2
The Commercial Extensions in Thread 1.2 allow for large scale authentication, network joining, subnet roaming, and operation based on trusted identities in an Enterprise Domain.
To enable reliable authentication of devices and verification of authorization information, an installer can setup an Enterprise Certificate Authority to ease the process of deploying a large-scale network. This allows the installer to set-up and maintain the network without direct access to the individual devices, and without any direct interaction with these devices, by means of an automated enrollment process called Autonomous Enrollment. Unlike Thread 1.1, where device passcode pairing is used for authentication, the Commercial Extensions in Thread 1.2 will support a more scalable certificate-based form of authentication.
An enterprise network can have several Thread Domains and can be set-up to integrate multiple Thread networks. Furthermore, it allows for interfacing with other IPv6-based networks, such as ethernet or Wi-Fi. These networks are connected via a Backbone Link in the enterprise network.
Example of a Thread Domain in an enterprise network
The Autonomous Enrollment feature makes sure that every device is authenticated and then verified to be associated with a single Thread Domain which can be based on multiple Thread Networks. Multiple Thread Domains can be defined as part of the same Enterprise Domain.
Using the new Commercial Commissioning Mode in Thread 1.2, devices can be discovered as part of the Autonomous Enrollment procedure. Any device can be directed to a specific Thread network and be authenticated after it is approved as a trusted entity.
Apart from the new commissioning features, Thread 1.2 offers additional enhancements for large scale commercial applications. These include Multicasting which spans multiple networks and domains so that application features are available regardless of where the devices are located.
In conclusion
With the introduction of Commercial Extensions, Thread 1.2 builds upon what is already a secure, low-power and easy to maintain network technology that allows for an even more efficient deployment procedure for large scale implementations.
Its IPv6-based architecture has been a core part of Thread’s design since the beginning. It builds on the proven, secure and well-known technologies that are in place today. This streamlines the deployment and configuration procedures by leveraging the knowledge that system integrators and administrators already have of IPv6-based network technologies.
The inclusion of Commercial Extensions in Thread 1.2 is a natural addition to Thread’s philosophy of fully integrated enterprise networks. It allows for an even quicker way to setup a network and offers fine-grained monitoring, usage analysis and flexibility to make changes -- all of which contribute to shorter maintenance times and lower costs.