Dotdot is the universal language of the IoT

5th January 2019 Harshvardhan Mishra

Dotdot is the universal language of the Internet of Things, making it possible for smart objects to work together on any network. It represents the next chapter in the Zigbee Alliance’s continued commitment to create and evolve open standards for the smart networks in our homes, businesses and neighborhoods. Most IoT devices don’t speak the same language even if they use the same wireless technology, so Today’s Zigbee devices speak a common language with Dotdot, that language – the application layer at the heart of Zigbee technology – can be applied across other IoT networks. Dotdot has been developed by the Zigbee Alliance — an open, global, non-profit organization.

Why Dotdot

In the Internet of Things, every smart device must understand and speak the same language at the application layer. How else is a smart hub expected to know how to communicate and control an off-the-shelf door lock or thermostat? Without a common application layer, devices from different networks (Wi-Fi, Thread, Bluetooth, Zigbee) can’t communicate.

Dotdot is an open standard that can run over many networks allowing smart objects to communicate. Dotdot is based on the mature, proven solutions of the Zigbee Alliance. It is the product of 10+ years of work and experience from hundreds of innovative Zigbee Alliance member companies from across the industry and around the world.

Dotdot over Thread IP Network

The Zigbee Alliance and Thread Group together bring you the availability of the Dotdot specification over Thread’s IP network. This is the first time developers can confidently use an established, open, and interoperable IoT language over an IP network, which will help unify the fragmented connected device industry and unlock new markets.

Benefits of Dotdot

It is a single solution for all markets –

A single application layer that works over many networks means a single choice for developers and consumers, and an end to market fragmentation

It secure

Application level DTLS sessions
Operational certificates
Access Control Lists

It is global –

Built on the open standards and global membership of 400 Zigbee Alliance members

It is proven – Dotdot is based on the Zigbee Cluster Library (ZCL) that is deployed in over 300 million products for over 10 years

It is reliable and robust – Dotdot brings a rich catalog of device interaction models to IP networks. This enables

It is interoperable

Certification ensures device-to-device interoperability
A single application language enables and connects multi-vendor ecosystems
Designed for forward and backward compatibility

It is future-proof –

Brought to market with support from over 400 diverse member companies with decades of experience in the IoT industry

It is well-tested

Following Zigbee Alliance processes, test procedures are co-developed with the technical specification and validated via member interoperability test events
Automated test tools for improved coverage
Comprehensive testing and certification program available for members