WebAPI/Push/Requirements

Push Project Requirements

• No open TCP sockets
  • In order to reduce network load, clients should not be required to hold a TCP socket open in order to receive notifications.
  • Network operators should be able to use UDP broadcast (or other standarized mechanism, like WapPUSH, SMS) to 'wake up' client who then should establish a TCP connection to Push Server.
• No continuously open TCP sockets on mobile devices (previous requirement obsoleted by WebRTC new server initiated connection requirement)
  • Connection between provider proxy to the Push server and the device will be determined by the provider.
  • Provider must allow proxy to hold open a proxied socket to the Push Server, and must relay served notification alerts to devices in a timely manner.

• Multiple connections (signal versus signal+data)
  • Push system should not require a second TCP connection for data/notification fetching
    • Mozilla believe that this may be a premature optimization.

• Easy-to-use API
  • A design goal for *all* web apis.
  • Default should be safe, and ensures end to end privacy of data
  • Must not require applications to do their own crypto

• Guaranteed delivery
  • Push system should guaranteed a timely delivery of notification
  • Push system should be able to recover from data center loss

• Data privacy
  • Push server should not be able to inspect application private data
  • No disclosure of personal identifiable info to application (e.g. MSISDN)

• Push system scalability
  • Push system must be able to be scaled to tens of millions.
    • Order of mag smaller than apple or android's system.
  • System must be allowed to support multiple (and possibly federated) push servers

Nice-to-have features:

• Multicast notifications (e.g. all instance of the same user), broadcast (e.g. all instances of the app) through a single request from app server to the push server

• Special type of notifications with real-time requirements (e.g. notification of an incoming VoIP call) which are delivered with minimized delay.

Non Goals: