ISO/IEC 29341-4-11:2011 PDF

Overview

ISO/IEC 29341-4-11:2011 - "Information technology - UPnP Device Architecture - Part 4-11: Audio Video Device Control Protocol - Level 2 - Connection Manager Service" defines the ConnectionManager service used in UPnP AV networks. This international standard specifies a service-type that models the streaming capabilities of audio/video (A/V) devices and the binding of those capabilities between devices. Each UPnP AV device that can send or receive streams implements one instance of the ConnectionManager service. The document is a technical revision that replaces the 2008 first edition and is compliant with UPnP Device Architecture v1.0.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Service purpose: Provide control points with mechanisms to match capabilities between source (server) and sink (renderer) devices, discover current network transfers, and set up/tear down connections where required by the streaming protocol.
• State variables: Includes variables such as SourceProtocolInfo, SinkProtocolInfo, and CurrentConnectionIDs to describe supported protocols and active connections.
• Actions (APIs): Standardized actions include:
  • GetProtocolInfo() - query supported protocol information
  • PrepareForConnection() - reserve or prepare resources for a connection
  • ConnectionComplete() - finalize or release a prepared connection
  • GetCurrentConnectionIDs(), GetCurrentConnectionInfo() - enumerate and inspect active transfers
• Protocol abstraction: The service abstracts different streaming mechanisms (HTTP streaming, RTSP/RTP, 1394/IEC61883 and vendor-specific transports) so control points can work independent of the underlying transport.
• Eventing and error handling: Defines eventing behavior and common error codes so control points and devices interoperate reliably.
• Conformance: Uses RFC 2119 keywords (MUST/SHOULD/MAY) to indicate normative requirements.

Practical applications and users

Who uses this standard:

• Device manufacturers building UPnP AV servers, renderers, media bridges or gateways.
• Software developers implementing control point applications (media controllers, mobile apps, smart home hubs) that orchestrate streaming between devices.
• Test labs and QA teams validating UPnP AV interoperability, connection setup/teardown, and protocol matching.
• System integrators designing multi-room audio/video systems or consumer electronics ecosystems that rely on UPnP for device discovery and streaming control.

Practical uses:

• Capability matching between media servers and renderers
• Discovering and monitoring ongoing streams on a local network
• Coordinating multi-protocol streaming (HTTP, RTSP/RTP, IEEE 1394/IEC61883)
• Enabling seamless media playback control from control points without low-level transport details

Related standards

• UPnP Device Architecture v1.0 (basis for this service model)
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 29341 series (UPnP device architecture parts)
• Protocol-specific annexes referenced in the standard (e.g., IEC 61883 for 1394 streaming)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 29341-4-11:2011, UPnP, ConnectionManager, UPnP AV, streaming protocol, GetProtocolInfo, PrepareForConnection, RTSP, HTTP streaming, IEC61883, media renderer, control point.