Dynamic self-configuration for ad hoc peer networking using mark-up language formated description messages

A dynamically self-bootstrapping computing device comprising:

• addressing means at the computing device for self-assigning an address for the computing device on an ad hoc network by selecting an address from a reserved range of addresses, pinging the selected address on the ad hoc network, and absent response to said pinging assigning the selected address to the computing device;
• announcing means at the computing device for multi-casting an announcement message on a multi-cast communications channel of the ad hoc network informing of the computing device's assigned address;
• discovery means at the computing device for listening on the multi-cast communications channel of the ad hoc network for a discovery message sent from a discovery client inquiring for a device type of the computing device;
• discovery response means at the computing device for sending a response message responsive to the discovery message identifying the computing device;
• and
• description means at the computing device responsive to a description request received by the computing device on the ad hoc network for sending a peer-accessible description message dynamically defining interaction via data messaging with the computing device to remotely operate the computing device over the ad hoc network.