Plugfest
A Plugfest or Plugtest is an event that is based on a certain standard and in which developers of electronic devices or software test the interoperability of their products or designs with those of other manufacturers.
Examples
- The EEBUS Initiative organizes plug-fests before the release of new use case specifications. At the Plugfest, use cases that have been defined in advance and implemented by various manufacturers are tested for mutual interoperability (e.g. the electric vehicle communicates with the household energy management system in order to avoid peak loads).
- The CEA organizes plugfests for interoperability tests between HDMI, sink and repeater devices.
- VESA organizes plug tests for DisplayPort device designers and manufacturers.
- Plug tests for USB device providers and cable network operators are organized to test DOCSIS interoperability.
- OpenDoc Society organizes OpenDocument Plugfests in conjunction with industry associations such as OpenForum Europe, the Open Source Consortium and the UK Government Digital Service
- The SCSI Trade Association organizes regular Serial Attached SCSI plug-fests to test the interoperability of the device at an early stage.
The technical goal is twofold: to check compliance with and effectiveness of the standard. The latter could be the case if the standard is ambiguous. A simplified example: the width of a plug is prescribed, but manufacturers use different lengths.
A Plugfest can be formal and have public test results, or informal and private. In addition to supporting providers who improve their interoperability, a Plugfest helps to draw attention to the standard and improve the transparency of compatibility.