An Easy to use Open-Source Virtual Networking Framework for Python. Including Switches and Clients/Servers.

Note

This framework is in early Beta and may have malfunctions. In this case we would be happy to receive feedback.

Solution

Offers a comprehensive networking solution designed to simplify the process of building and managing network infrastructures. With its user-friendly interface and pre-built infrastructure, NewAlpha eliminates the complexity of setting up networking systems. Whether for IoT applications or communication between virtual machines, NewAlpha provides a seamless experience, enabling users to easily change network configurations or manage logging systems for package tracing.

How it works

NewAlpha is based on the Socket library, and simplifies its use. Create a virtual switch that contains a logging system to track or observe data packets. Clients are then able connect to the switch via sockets and can request/respond to other clients or servers. The data packets are structured as follows: sender_port : message/parameter/commands : receiver_port or as a concrete example: 25505:Hello World!:80880.

Detailed:

Each packet contains three main components: the sender's port number, the message, parameter, or command being transmitted, and the receiver's port number. This format ensures clear identification of both the source and destination of each packet, along with the content being conveyed. For instance, a typical packet might appear as follows: '25505:Hello World!:80880,' where '25505' represents the sender's port, 'Hello World!' denotes the message or payload, and '80880' signifies the receiver's port. Every virtual object communicates with such structure.

Usage and implementation

Installing the latest version:

pip install NewAlpha

import NewAlpha

Switch setup and traffic handling:

switch = NewAlpha.AlphaSwitch()
switch.switchSetup(port=25505, address="Your IP-Address") #Change Port and IP
while True:
    switch.handleTraffic()

In this example, we first create an instance of the switch class, then set up the switch's address data with port and address arguments. Subsequently, we run a loop to continuously handle client requests.

Switch logging system:

The logging system is particularly useful when you want to track packets on the network or when troubleshooting with data transmission and cannot find the problem. These are the methods for managing the log:

... #Previous switch setup

switch.startLog() #Starts recording the traffic
switch.stopLog() #Stops recording the traffic
log_str = switch.getNewestLog #Returns the newest log (datatype: str)
log_list_of_str = switch.getFullLog #Returns the entire logging list (datatype: list containing str)

It's good to know that the log is stored as/in RAM.

Client/Server setup:

client = NewAlpha.AlphaClient()
client.clientSetup(80880, "Your IP_Address") #Change Client's Port and IP
client.bridge(25505, "Switch IP_Address") #Enter the Switch Port and IP
client.registerSwitch()

As previously, we instantiate an object and then configure the address details of the client and the switch. We then register the client on the switch (optional but recommended).

Client/Server response:

The virtual client/server has 3 types of response methods: frozenResponse() , dynamicResponse() and confirmationResponse.

frozenResponse():

import threading

... #Previous client setup

def auto_respond():
  #key=request:value=response
  ruleset = {
  "Hi Flynn!":"Hi! How are you?" 
  }
  client.frozenResponse(ruleset)

auto_respond_thread = threading.Thread(target=auto_respond)
auto_respond_thread.start()

If you want to send messages while handling requests, you need threads. The frozenResponse() method takes a set of rules as an argument to respond to a specific request with the correct answer. As the name suggests, the ruleset is frozen in a specific state, so there is no way to change it while the responding method processes it. However, it is possible to stop this thread and the response loop by setting a flag using the responseFlag() method.

dynamicResponse():

def auto_respond():
  while True:
    ... #Update ruleset for every new refresh/request
    client.dynamicResponse(ruleset=ruleset, refresh_time=1.0)

auto_respond_thread = threading.Thread(target=auto_respond)
auto_respond_thread.start()

Compared to the frozen response, the dynamic is able to change the ruleset every time the method is refreshed. Additionally, refresh_time requires a time argument, so the method waits for a specific amount of time for a request before it aborts. This is useful, for example, if you want to update the ruleset every second. (Side info: the method additionally returns request, response, sender_port in exact that order)

confirmationResponse():

def auto_respond():
    while True:
        received_data, port = client.confirmationResponse("Got it, thanks!")
        print(received_data, port) #Can be used to build a chat-programm

auto_respond_thread = threading.Thread(target=auto_respond)
auto_respond_thread.start()

This method was specifically designed to enable dynamic context-based exchanges. What does that mean? In short, you could for example use it to create a chat application. If you want to respond to a request tailored to the message you receive, you can set up a system so you have enough time to respond. However, the method itself always responds with the save confirmation message.

Client/Server request:

To request data packets, you can use either the request() method or the generalRequest() method. The only difference is that the general request method sends a message to all connected clients on the switch and the other method sends only a request to a specific connected client.

request():

def send_package():
  encoded_message = client.encode_format("Hi Flynn!", 70770) #Message, ReceiverPort
  response, port, address = client.request(message=encoded_message)

Before sending a data packet, the message must be encoded/formatted using the encode_format() method. As mentioned before into the following form: 25505:Hi Flynn!:70770. You don't always have to send it directly to the switch, you can also use it to transfer data to other networks (Then no encoding of the message is required).

generalRequest():

response_list = client.generalRequest(message="Hi Flynn!")

The general request method does not require an encrypted message as an argument due to the different ports the client needs to send to. It is important to know that sending the request is done serially and not parallel with threads. Therefore it may take a while for the response to arrive.

Benchmark

Average Benchmark Results (for the constant package sending pause of 10ms).

Clients-Amount	Package-Respond-Time	Latency-Drop-Time
5	13ms	~700ms (<1s)
3	5ms	~670ms
2	1-2ms (<3ms)	~500ms

Latency-Drop-Time explained: Worst case scenario when the switch has overlapping requests or is overloaded (Worst Package-Respond-Time).

Additional information:

PackageMaxSize = 4096 bytes of string (Maximum message size)

PortsDigitsLength = min/max 5 digits

MaxPortsRange = 10000 up to 65535 (Ports are only permitted in this range)

Further configurations

Blacklist toleration

During a data transaction, if a client that normally responds to requests is offline due to complications and the other ports are not informed and still send requests to that port, these clients will receive a "NoResponse" error. By default, this error occurs twice until the offline client is blacklisted. Therefore, no one can make a request to this machine. The client is removed from the blacklist when it communicates with the switch. Such tolerances can be changed using the setToleration() method, which accepts an amount as an argument. (This type of response error can also occur when the client is overloaded with requests.)

Byte size

By default, the maximum capacity of a message containing a string is 4096 bytes. For larger data transfers, you can change this byte size using the setByteSizeSwitch or setByteSizeClient method, which accepts an integer as an argument.

Contributing

Code of Conduct - Contribution

Security and License

Security Policy - MIT License