The concept of smart devices has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years. TVs, smartphones, tablets, printers, etc., have become part of a network and can communicate with each other for smooth operability.
DLNA and UPnP are common guidelines that help to ensure the compatibility of such devices. While they are often used interchangeably, there are quite a few differences between UPnP and DLNA servers.
What is a DLNA Server?
Digital Living Network Alliance(DLNA) is an industry-wide standard that allows users to send content over a home network wirelessly. It is used by a wide range of modern devices and enables you to send photos, videos, and music from one device to another.
DLNA was set up by Sony in 2003 and now includes many consumer electronics manufacturers that have created a standard for all DLNA devices. This means that you can easily link all DLNA-compliant products across your Wi-Fi network if you have a router.
What is the Use of UPnP?
Universal Plug n Play or UPnP is a networking protocol that lets network devices automatically connect, communicate with and control each other. Devices like personal computers, smartphones, routers, printers, and IoT devices use it to discover each other and establish connections for sharing services and data.
UPnP is an extension of Plug and Play and is generally used for residential networks. It makes it easy for users to connect network devices without needing to configure them or deal with incompatible standards.
Difference between DLNA and UPnP
Simply put, DLNA is an alliance of electronics manufacturers that has set a common standard enabling users to share content across their devices wirelessly. UPnP, meanwhile, is a set of protocols that enables devices on a home network to connect automatically.
DLNA and UPnP primarily differ in their scope. The latter is simply a protocol that helps devices discover each other, while the former also covers media servers, management systems, and content protection systems.
In fact, DLNA uses UPnP so that DLNA-supported devices such as TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones can find each other and connect. All DLNA-capable devices, therefore, usually also tend to be UPnP-capable.
