Machine-to-machine protocol indication and negotiation

An apparatus implementing an IoT client endpoint, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and communication circuitry, the apparatus being connected to a communications network via its communication circuitry, the apparatus further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus resource directory to:

• send, to an IoT resource directory, a first resource discovery request comprising criteria for discovering a first needed resource;
• receive a first set of communication protocols preferences comprising two or more options for a messaging protocol and/or a transport protocol to be used in communications with an IoT endpoint server for the first needed resource;
• negotiate, with from the IoT resource directory, a chosen protocol for accessing the needed resource on the IoT endpoint server in accordance with a first set of communication protocol preferences;
• and
• receive, from the IoT endpoint server using the chosen protocol, the needed resource.

An apparatus implementing an IoT endpoint server, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and communication circuitry, the apparatus being connected to a communications network via its communication circuitry, the apparatus further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus resource directory to:

• send, to a first IoT resource directory, a first resource registration request comprising a first set of communication protocol preferences for a first resource hosted on the apparatus, the first set of communication protocols preferences comprising two or more options for a messaging protocol and/or a transport protocol to be used for the first resource;
• send, to a second IoT resource directory, a second resource registration request comprising a second set of communication protocol preferences for a second resource hosted on the apparatus, the second set of communication protocols preferences comprising two or more options for a messaging protocol and/or a transport protocol to be used for the second resource, wherein the first and second resource are distinct, and wherein the first and second set of communication protocol preferences are distinct;
• receive, from a first IoT endpoint client, a first request to access the first resource in accordance with a first chosen protocol selected from the first set of communication protocol preferences;
• receive, from a second IoT endpoint client, a second request to access the second resource in accordance with a second chosen protocol selected from the second set of communication protocol preferences;
• provide, to the first IoT endpoint client, access to the first resource in accordance with the first chosen protocol
• provide, to the second IoT endpoint client, access to the second resource in accordance with the second chosen protocol.