|
|
Latest Version: 1.0.5
|
|
|
What is SinterPoint™?
|
|
|
Introduction
|
|
SinterPoint™ is a networking architecture designed to enable
developers to create network-distributed applications. A
SinterPoint™-based solution includes:
- The SinterPoint™ server application, and
- SinterPoint™-based client applications
The main goal of SinterPoint™ is to provide developers with an easy way
to network components of their applications. It is a cross-platform
solution written in C++, allowing flexibility in the design of a networked software
system.
|
|
|
How it works
|
|
|
The SinterPoint™ concept is very simple: Text strings are relayed to and from
clients, and those strings may be processed as command strings by client
applications. Clients may be designed to only receive strings, only send
strings, or both send and receive. The server manages client
connections, maintains a history of command strings, and makes sure each
receive client receives the same strings in the same order.
|
|
|
|
|
SinterPoint™ Server Features
|
|
|
1. No Configuration Required
|
|
The SinterPoint™ server requires no server-side configuration.
Instead, a client application declares its capabilities (such as maximum
number of send or receive clients) when it connects to the server. Upon
connection of the first client of a certain name, the server creates a
"session" with rules that are obeyed by subsequent client
connections.
For example, if a software package called "Foo" only supports a single "send"
client but an unlimited number of "receive" clients, that information is declared
to the SinterPoint™ server when the first "Foo" client connects. When subsequent "Foo" clients attempt to connect
to the server, they may be refused to enforce that "send" client limit.
|
|
|
2. Multiple Session Support
|
|
When a client of a certain name, e.g. "Foo", connects to the SinterPoint™
server, the server creates a "session" to manage clients of that type.
Subsequent "Foo" clients connect to the existing "Foo" session.
However, if a client of type "Bar" connects to the server, a new "Bar"
session is created and managed independently of the "Foo" session.
What this means for application developers is that a single
SinterPoint™ server can handle multiple applications, or it can
handle multiple independent data streams within the same application.
|
|
|
2. Session History for Late & Dropped Connections
|
|
For each active session, the SinterPoint™ server maintains a list
of all command strings issued for that session. When a "receive" client
connects to the session, it receives all the command strings recorded
for that session. This enables SinterPoint™ to support late or
dropped receive client connections. For a collaboration application
using SinterPoint™, users can connect at any time and get up to
speed by processing the command history. Similarly, should a receive client
application crash, it can be restored to its previous state using the command
history.
|
|
|
SinterPoint™ Client API Features
|
|
|
The main features of the SinterPoint™ client API are its
cross-platform compatibility and ease of use. The best way to
demonstrate the ease of use is with some examples. Below are complete
receive client and send client applications developed using
SinterPoint:
sendclient.cpp
receiveclient.cpp
|
|
|
System Requirements
|
|
|
At this time, we build SinterPoint™ for the platforms in the table
below. If your platform is not shown in the table, email
info@inv3rsion.com to ask about
extending support to your platform.
| Platform |
SinterPoint Client |
SinterPoint Server |
| Windows |
Yes |
Yes (XP only) |
| Linux |
Yes |
Yes |
| Irix |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
Download SinterPoint
|
|
|
The latest version of SinterPoint™ is 1.0.5. The downloadable versions of
the SinterPoint™ server are restricted to a run-time of 10 minutes at a
time. Contact us for information on obtaining a full license,
or to obtain a version for a different platform. By downloading the software,
you agree to abide by the
Demo License Agreement.
Please see the
README for release notes.
|
|
|
Get Additional Information
|
|
|
Send email to
info@inv3rsion.com to get information on licensing
SinterPoint™ for your application. The demo versions
of SinterPoint™ are for trial only, and they are not
supported in any way by Inv3rsion. However, we do welcome
feedback and feature requests.
|
|
top of page
|
|
