prpl Foundation launches new HL-API certification program

Internet service providers can now trust that vendor Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) running prplOS will interoperate with their device management systems and burgeoning application ecosystems, through the new High-Level Application Programming Interface (HL-API) certification program from the prpl Foundation.

App-enabled service Gateways are currently in high-demand, as operators look to offer new and value-added services to their customers. The certification offered through the HL-API program is able to support device vendors, OEMs, and chipsets that have already implemented the prpl Foundation’s open-source solutions within their products. The prpl High-Level API reduces customization time and effort for routers, access-points and Gateways by harmonizing software development processes and standardizes on-device APIs, all via open-source protocols. For end users, this means broader tech adoption, more supported services, innovative technology at lower price points, and faster rollout of new features and devices.

“We are excited to announce the certification of implementations for our High-Level API,” said prpl Foundation President Dr. Len Dauphinee. “Certification testing of standardized, open-source solutions is one of the core principles behind successful open technologies. Our High-Level API certification represents a significant milestone towards the standardization and interoperability of containerized applications built to run on prplOS powered CPE. This certification is the first of several planned programs to support products in the prplWare ecosystem”.

The HL-API certification program assures customers that their products have been tested to properly utilize the prpl Foundation’s official device definition using the Broadband Forum TR-181 Device:2 model, which standardizes the way that interfaces, features and device statistics are described when managed via the Broadband Forum User Services Platform (TR-369).

“This certification is extremely valuable for operators looking to deploy solutions this powerful,” said Tim Winters of QA Cafe, Chair of the prpl Foundation Testing and Certification Working Group. “Based on the High-Level API test plan, devices that pass testing are those that have correctly implemented the standardized parameters, commands and service objects. They have also made the appropriate underlying changes to their configurations or revealed the proper Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) when triggered to do so via their management interface. This validation is the cornerstone of what prplOS-enabled devices are and will be capable of in the future”.

Going forward, the industry can continue to look to the prpl Foundation’s Certification Working Group for additional programs created to complete and complement the prplWare ecosystem.

The prpl Foundation is a collaborative open-source community dedicated to open APIs and open industry standards, focusing on carrier-grade software for broadband customer premise equipment as specified by operator members. The prpl Foundation brings together service providers, original equipment manufacturers, system integrators, chip vendors and application developers to harmonize home network architecture, then commonizes a reference implementation of standardized open-source infrastructure built atop open APIs and open industry standards. prpl enables a service delivery ecosystem including innovative third-party applications that can be quickly and easily deployed across different CPE platforms.