OBEX file transfer

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Zenith - 22 Nov 2003 11:05 GMT

Hello NG,

Does anybody know the difference between OBEX file transfer and 'normal'
file transfer.
Why I'm asking ?

I downloaded Widcomm Bleutooth manager for my iPaq3870. Now I'm having the
same BT manager as on iPaq's latest models.
It seems to me that it's easier to work with.

Connecting my PocketPC and mobile phone, I noticed that the services that
can be used, are file transfer (browsing) and OBEX file transfer. I don't
see any difference between these to protocols.

Regards,
Marc

PS : I'm sure that Mauricio knows a good answer ! ;-))

Reply to this Message

Edward - 24 Nov 2003 00:59 GMT

The FTP profile is like a superset of the OBEX file transfer profile. It
allows you to browse the files available on the other device and select
files to download/upload to particular folders.

Not all devices capable of sending and receiving files support the full
ftp profile as it is more complex to implement. It relies on the device
having some sort of representation of a file system. A T68i for example
does support this feature.

The OBEX file transfer profile is more limited, it only allows you to
initiate file transfers from the sending device and you cannot browse a
list of files. The functionality is equivalent to what you experiance
with infra-red IRDA, which is indeed what the standard was based on.
Most mobiles and PDAs support at least this profile for transfering
business cards and calender entries, some will support other kinds of
files as well. The t68i for example will accept vcard, vcal, imy, gif,
jpg etc, but reject most other files as it does not know how to deal
with them.

The ftp profile, and bluetooth sychronisation profile are built on top
of the OBEX file transfer profile.

> Hello NG,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> PS : I'm sure that Mauricio knows a good answer ! ;-))

Reply to this Message

Edward - 24 Nov 2003 01:07 GMT

Correction

> A T68i for example does NOT support this feature.

The t610, 7650 and 6600 however do have FTP profile as well as OBEX file
transfer.

Is there any software for series 60 that lets you browse bluetooth ftp
folders on other devices?

> The FTP profile is like a superset of the OBEX file transfer profile. It
> allows you to browse the files available on the other device and select
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>>
>> PS : I'm sure that Mauricio knows a good answer ! ;-))

Reply to this Message

Zenith - 26 Nov 2003 21:14 GMT

> The OBEX file transfer profile is more limited, it only allows you to
> initiate file transfers from the sending device and you cannot browse a
> list of files.

I don't understand it any more. I've been experimenting with my iPaq3870 and
Siemens S55 mobile phone, using Widcomm's latest BT-manager.
Using the option that ipaq looks what services are available for other BT
hardware, results in "serial acces", "OBEX file transfer" and "BT dial up"
for my S55.
Manualy looking for services also gives the option "to browse" other BT
hardware, also my S55.
The only difference is the fact that OBEX always gets connection, while
"browsing" sometimes doesn't work...
For the rest I don't see any difference between them two : using OBEX I can
brows, delete, rename, create folders etc. on my S55.
Maybe it depends on the hardware.

Anyway, thanks for the reaction.

Kind regards,
Zenith

Reply to this Message

Mauricio Freitas - 24 Nov 2003 02:48 GMT

> Hello NG,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> PS : I'm sure that Mauricio knows a good answer ! ;-))

Thanks, but Edward did a good job replying that :)

You'll notice that depending on the mobile phone you'll not be able to
browse - but from your desktop to your Pocket PC it should be like a FTP
client - move around folders, copy single or multiple files or even a
folder. Very useful really.

Signature

Mauricio Freitas
mobility, wireless, handhelds: http://www.geekzone.co.nz

Reply to this Message