CableLabs’ Kyrio Talks IoT Testing

With the rapid expansion of IoT devices, CableLabs’ testing unit Kyrio has added IoT device certification testing to its current wireless, network and security services. And testing will be in compliance with the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) specifications. CableLabs has been active with OCF with a top focus on device security, Kyrio pres Mitch Ashley told us. CableLabs also sits on the OCF Board of Directors. “We believe that device security and an effective certification program are critical to the success of the IoT market. Our members seek to leverage the largest open market of IoT devices and OCF is delivering this non-proprietary marketplace of interoperable IoT devices,” Ashley said. The OCF, with 200 members worldwide from consumer, enterprise, industrial, automotive and health industries, aims to provide a unified IoT platform regardless of manufacturer, operating system, chipset or physical transport. Ashley noted Kyri is one of the first Approved Test Labs of OCF’s certification program. And OCF Certified means that the device has passed a series of tests that demonstrate interoperability across connected devices according to the OCF’s specifications. With so much fragmentation in the IoT market, Ashley said the key to achieve test interoperability across vendor solutions is to have an open source reference implementation. Also required is a consistent set of certification tests and a consistent process by which certification is undertaken, he said. Rather than just performing black box testing or acting as a roadblock to certification, “we have always had a philosophy of guiding manufacturers through a certification process,” said Ashley. Meanwhile, OCF, backer of the IoTivity open source project, announced Mon that it’s merging with the AllSeen Alliance, which provides the AllJoyn open source IoT framework. The merger is expected to achieve interoperability between connected devices from both groups. The groups will collaborate on future OCF specifications, as well as the IoTivity and AllJoyn open source projects. The expanded OCF board of directors will include execs from companies including ARRIS, CableLabs, Canon, Cisco, GE Digital, Haier, Intel, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Technicolor.