def METHOD_NAME(self, seconds=1.0, pre_sync_fun=None):
    """Start a new handshake timer."""
    def timer_handler():
        """Perform a dev-host handshake by sending a sync message."""
        if pre_sync_fun is not None:
            pre_sync_fun()
        self.send_kv(MSG_KEY_SYNC, MSG_VALUE_DUMMY)
    self.__handshake_timer = threading.Timer(seconds, timer_handler)
    self.__handshake_timer.start()