Note: This tutorial assumes that you have completed the previous tutorials: Understanding Zeroconf.
(!) Please ask about problems and questions regarding this tutorial on answers.ros.org. Don't forget to include in your question the link to this page, the versions of your OS & ROS, and also add appropriate tags.

Understanding Service Types

Description: Explains the zeroconf service type formats.

Keywords: zeroconf

Tutorial Level: BEGINNER

Syntax

_ServiceType._TransportProtocolName.

Note especially:

  • Each part must start with an underscore, '_'.
  • The second part only allows '_tcp' or _'udp'.

If you blaspheme and do not include the underscores you will...die a horrible death.

Actually, there is a reason lost in time for it. I just can't remember now, but will add it here when I rediscover it.

Common Examples

Zeroconf service types are identified by a string, e.g. some common ones include:

_scanner._tcp
_http._tcp
_webdave._tcp
_tftp._udp

Semi-Official Ros Service Types

Although we're not keeping an official list anywhere (yet), the current ones that are common to test cases include:

  • _ros-master._tcp, _ros-master._udp
  • _concert-master._tcp, _concert-master._udp
  • _app-manager._tcp, _app-manager._udp

We may include some utilities to help translate between these cryptic names and human readable names at some point in the future.

Wiki: zeroconf/Tutorials/Understanding Zeroconf Service Types (last edited 2013-06-26 06:23:23 by DanielStonier)