[BC] Radio Is Not what it Used to be

[Dan Dickey]

Bill,

I think the SBE did try to do something about this several years ago. 
However, in today's world is it really necessary?  If all manufacturers 
could agree that Ethernet/IP is the way to go (and most do) then it is only 
a matter of protocols.  If manufacturers could just make their devices web 
enabled this would provide a common interface (HTTP) to all products.  The 
IP router manufacturers have been doing this for years.

As a manufacturer I have some problems:

1) The 'everything from anywhere' presents a problem of security that cannot 
be easily addressed by the transmitter or console manufacturer.  I contend 
that this is a problem best left to the IP network designer.  Is this right?

2) I don't think the IP interface should be inherently required for a 
transmitter to perform its intended function.  Is this acceptable in your 
mind?  The net result might be that the cost of the IP enabled product is 
more than the one without it.

3) It seems impossible to get two transmitter engineers to agree on what 
functions should be available from an IP interface.  Some want to control 
everything, some want 64 levels of authorization all the way from no access 
to rewriting all the firmware in the box, and some only want read access. 
This is one area that I have been able to please no one.

BTW, at Continental our engineers don't usually wear suits.  Is that bad?

Best regards,
Dan