obex-data-server

obex-data-server [OPTIONS]

-d, --debug
    Enables verbose debug messages for troubleshooting and development.

-f, --foreground
    Keeps the server running in the foreground instead of detaching as a daemon. Useful for debugging and terminal monitoring.

-r, --replace
    Attempts to replace an existing instance of the daemon if one is already running, ensuring a fresh start.

-v, --version
    Displays the version information of the obex-data-server and exits immediately.

-h, --help
    Shows a brief help message with available command-line options and exits.

obex-data-server provides a D-Bus service that enables applications to exchange objects using the OBEX (Object Exchange) protocol, primarily over Bluetooth. It acts as a backend for various OBEX profiles, including OBEX Push (for sending files), OBEX FTP (for browsing and manipulating files on a remote device), and OBEX Sync (for synchronizing data like contacts or calendar entries).

As a system service, it is typically activated automatically via D-Bus when an application requests OBEX functionality, rather than being invoked directly by users. It abstracts the underlying OBEX communication, providing a standardized D-Bus interface for applications to interact with Bluetooth-enabled devices for object transfer.

obex-data-server is typically managed by the system's D-Bus daemon and is automatically started when an application requires OBEX services. Users generally do not need to run it manually from the command line. Directly launching it without proper D-Bus integration may not provide full functionality or integrate correctly with other system services.

While OBEX is a standard protocol, its direct usage for file transfer has somewhat diminished in favor of more modern methods (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct, cloud services), though it remains relevant for legacy and specific embedded contexts. Security largely depends on the underlying Bluetooth security model (pairing, trust relationships).

obex-data-server registers itself on the system D-Bus, typically under the service name org.bluez.obex or a similar identifier, allowing applications to discover and interact with its services programmatically. This ensures a standardized and secure way for applications to request OBEX operations without needing direct access to Bluetooth hardware.

Beyond basic file transfer, OBEX supports various profiles like Object Push Profile (OPP) for sending objects, File Transfer Profile (FTP) for remote file system browsing, and Synchronization Profile (SYNC) for data synchronization. obex-data-server provides the underlying support for these profiles on the Linux platform, enabling a wide range of Bluetooth-based data interactions.

The OBEX protocol itself was standardized in 1999, primarily for object exchange over IrDA and later widely adopted by Bluetooth. obex-data-server emerged as part of the broader effort to provide robust Bluetooth support on Linux systems, integrating OBEX capabilities into the D-Bus ecosystem. Its development is tied to the evolution of the BlueZ Bluetooth stack and the need for standardized interfaces for applications to interact with Bluetooth services. It has been a core component for file transfer and synchronization functionality over Bluetooth on Linux for many years, providing a modern D-Bus bridge to this established protocol.

bluetoothd(8), obex-push(1), obex-ftp(1)