How Does Jini Work?
A simple Jini network has three main elements: a Service Provider, a Look-Up Service and a Client.
Step 1. Discovery
The first thing a device must do when it is connected to a Jini network is to discover a Look-Up Service to register with. A signal is sent by the Service Provider that asks all Look-Up Services to make themselves known. It is important that registration occurs so that services can be found.
Step 2. Join
Once a suitable Look-Up Service has been found, then a join can occur. The Service Provider will upload a copy of the Service object and any attributes directly to the Look-Up Service where it will be stored.
The Service is now ready to be found by a Client.
Step 3. Look-Up
If the Client wants to a find a particular Service it needs, it does a search on the Look-Up Services to see if any of them have what it needs. The search critera will be compared to the Service Attributes that each Look-Up Server takes a copy of. If there is a match, the Client will take a copy of the Service Object.
Step 4. Completion
The Client now has direct access to the required service and is free to use it.
