Networkservices in "Open Signed Online "

[kernelhao]

I developed an application using Symbian C++. In this application, I need to read the sensor data and then send this data to a HTTP server. If I use the "Open Signed Online" from Symbian Signed, can I set the network alert to "Ask first time" (not "Ask every time") and assign a default Access Point for the HTTP connection?

When I used J2ME for developing a network application, I don't need to sign my application. I can use the "Menu" - "Application" - "Application Manager" - "installed apps." - "setting" to set the network alert to "Ask first time" and assign a default Access Point for the HTTP connection.

[ltomuta]

There is no such setting/preference (or at least not by default) for Symbian applications. You application must have the NetworkServices capability which will be granted at install time whether you use self-signing or one of the Symbian Signed R&D or release options.

It then depends on your application level implementation if the user will be prompted for access point selection or whether the application will silenly use one [predefined] access point.

[kernelhao]

Do you mean that users can set the network access alert to "ask the first time" at install time ?

My target Phone is N96. Is it hard to implement a default AP selection?

[ltomuta]

No, the user can decide whether to install an uncertified application using the network services capability or not. Once the application is in the phone it has equal rights with all the other apps and can establish network connections.

There are example applicatios on Forum Nokia showing how to manipulate the access points and how to extablish a connection using a given access point. Use such example application as a starting point for your project. See Establishing Connections in C++ and S60 Platform: Access Points Example with Roaming Support at http://www.forum.nokia.com/Resources...tworking.xhtml

[kernelhao]

Thank you for your reply.
I am sorry. I am fully new to Symbian C++. For the first problem, do you mean that: If I sign my application, and then install it on my mobile phone, I can configure it as I configure for the J2ME application(use the "Menu" - "Application" - "Application Manager" - "installed apps." - "setting" to set the network alert to "Ask first time").

Also If I write some codes to set the default Access Point, can I still use the "Open Signed Online"? When I sign my application using "Open Signed Online", I can not find the NetworkControl (I can find the NetworkServices there) from the "Capability information" in https://www.symbiansigned.com/app/pa...ignedOnline.do . But the codes setting the default AP may use the API from NetworkControl.

[ltomuta]

Thank you for your reply.
I am sorry. I am fully new to Symbian C++. For the first problem, do you mean that: If I sign my application, and then install it on my mobile phone, I can configure it as I configure for the J2ME application(use the "Menu" - "Application" - "Application Manager" - "installed apps." - "setting" to set the network alert to "Ask first time").

No, there is no such setting for native applications. You can provide such setting if you want in your application otherwise you can make your application to always connect without any prompt.

So, you have the following option at application level:

• chose a random AP and use it - maybe it works, not very user friendly
• enumerate AP and try them one by one until you find one that works - not very user friendly
• provide user friedly settins in your applcation with options such as
  
  • ask me once per session
  • ask me always
  • user selected AP/destination

Just have a look at one of the built in applications (e.g. Podcasts or Browser) and offer the same options to the user.

Also If I write some codes to set the default Access Point, can I still use the "Open Signed Online"? When I sign my application using "Open Signed Online", I can not find the NetworkControl (I can find the NetworkServices there) from the "Capability information" in https://www.symbiansigned.com/app/pa...ignedOnline.do . But the codes setting the default AP may use the API from NetworkControl.

All the basic network related APIs and use cases require only NetworkServices which can be granted to self-signed application or to apps signed online (Open Signed Online). If you do need NetworkControl (for one reason or another) then you have a problem which will lead you to Publisher ID and Open Signed Offline. See http://blogs.forum.nokia.com/blog/lu...symbian-signed

[kernelhao]

Thank you.

No, there is no such setting for native applications. You can provide such setting if you want in your application otherwise you can make your application to always connect without any prompt.

So, you have the following option at application level:

• chose a random AP and use it - maybe it works, not very user friendly
• enumerate AP and try them one by one until you find one that works - not very user friendly
• provide user friedly settins in your applcation with options such as
  
  • ask me once per session
  • ask me always
  • user selected AP/destination

My application will only use a specific access point. thus I can use the first solution.

Just have a look at one of the built in applications (e.g. Podcasts or Browser) and offer the same options to the user.


All the basic network related APIs and use cases require only NetworkServices which can be granted to self-signed application or to apps signed online (Open Signed Online). If you do need NetworkControl (for one reason or another) then you have a problem which will lead you to Publisher ID and Open Signed Offline. See http://blogs.forum.nokia.com/blog/lu...symbian-signed

I only develop the application for research purpose, and I can afford the fee for Publisher ID. Could you please give me some advices or material on that?

[kernelhao]

You can provide such setting if you want in your application otherwise you can make your application to always connect without any prompt.

Do you konw how to make my application always connect without any prompt?

So, you have the following option at application level:

• chose a random AP and use it - maybe it works, not very user friendly
• enumerate AP and try them one by one until you find one that works - not very user friendly
• provide user friedly settins in your applcation with options such as
  
  • ask me once per session
  • ask me always
  • user selected AP/destination

Just have a look at one of the built in applications (e.g. Podcasts or Browser) and offer the same options to the user.


All the basic network related APIs and use cases require only NetworkServices which can be granted to self-signed application or to apps signed online (Open Signed Online). If you do need NetworkControl (for one reason or another) then you have a problem which will lead you to Publisher ID and Open Signed Offline. See http://blogs.forum.nokia.com/blog/lu...symbian-signed

How do you check derivation of the used APIs(NetworkControl or NetworkServices)?

[ltomuta]

See the already recommended example to learn how to establish a connection without prompt.

See the docs for the APIs you use and see also Carbide.c++'s plug-ins for information about capabilities required by your application. As said, you don't need NetworkControl so just write your app without worries. If at some point you do find out that you have used an API that requires that capability you should review your design and correct your mistake.

[kernelhao]

Ok. Thank you very much. I will do it.

[kernelhao]

When I checked the "Access Points Example with Roaming Support" on http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.n...g_Support.html, I found the following sentence from the "description" :Note that access point management features implemented as an option in the example require WriteDeviceData and NetworkControl capabilities. Does it mean that I need a NetworkControl capability for setting the default AP?

[ltomuta]

It means that you should study the example, understand what that "access point management" feature really means and then decide whether you need it or not. Once you decide that you don't need it, your problem goes away.

Check the MMP file, learn what the __S60_3X_NET_CTRL__ and __S60_3X_COMMDB_WRITE__ macros mean and avoid any code activated by those macros.