Home Network Administration Protocol (HNAP) can be implemented in network devices to allow configuration and management by other devices or applications – such as Cisco Network Magic. By implementing HNAP in a device, manufacturers can ensure their devices are correctly identified and provide detailed information about the device. HNAP can be implemented in any network device, including PCs, routers, cameras, NAS, and media players.

HNAP is an HTTP-Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)-based protocol. Because the protocol is based on top of existing HTTP-SOAP standards, it is very flexible and easily extensible.

Benefits of implementing HNAP in network devices

There are three high level benefits to manufacturers for implementing HNAP in a network device:

Accurate Topology Discovery
By implementing HNAP, a network device can accurately describe itself to applications that support HNAP and show detailed information about the device. A device can choose its type and subtype defining its iconic representation, and also expose properties such as model name, firmware version, and support contact information. This type of information is useful to consumers when managing their networks, and to support personnel when troubleshooting a problem.

Custom Task Extensibility
A network device can display custom tasks for the device. For example, when a device with HNAP support is selected in an application, tasks related to that device can be displayed. Custom tasks allow device vendors to differentiate their devices by exposing advanced or exclusive features to users.

Programmable API
Perhaps the largest and most comprehensive benefit of implementing HNAP on a network device is its ability to be silently managed by other management products. The full programmable API suite allows devices’ network connections to be remotely managed and administered.

For example, for a router, the programmable API can provide:

• Automatic port mapping management

• Network security with MAC filtering, WEP and WPA

• Router Setup, provisioning WAN and LAN interfaces, including advanced settings such as PPOE username/password

• Add new devices to the network

• Bandwidth monitoring

• DHCP Server Management and Static Reservations.