| SyncML® is an ambitious endeavor. It attempts to formulate a data synchronization protocol that interoperates across devices, networks, data types, and applications. Although the development of a common interoperable de facto synchronization standard is its primary goal, it must be designed such that it can be efficiently realized. Among other things, efficiency includes coping with resource-constrained mobile devices, operating over low-bandwidth wireless networks, and enabling servers to support millions of mobile devices. A data synchronization standard that interoperates but does not perform well adversely affects the overall user experience. Such a standard is not likely to be widely adopted. These considerations form the design goals of SyncML. The first of the following sections outlines the SyncML design space and discusses specific design goals of SyncML, along with the approaches adopted by SyncML to facilitate these goals. The second section provides an insight into the SyncML architecture. |
