CommServer

CommServer is a Python-based TCP client-server model designed for robust two-way communication, efficient multithreading for handling multiple clients, and seamless file repository access.

Features

• Multithreaded Server: Supports concurrent connections for up to three clients simultaneously.
• Two-Way Communication: Reliable message exchange between clients and the server.
• File Repository Access:
  • list: View all available files in the server's repository.
  • get [filename]: Download specific files from the server.
• Client Commands:
  • status: Retrieve server-assigned client details.
  • exit: Safely terminate the connection and free server resources.
• Reliable Data Transfer: Uses headers to manage file sizes and ensure data integrity.
• Error Handling: Includes mechanisms to handle connection limits and invalid commands.

Requirements

• Python 3.x
• Standard Python libraries: socket, threading

Installation

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-repo/CommServer.git

2. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd CommServer

3. Ensure Python 3.x is installed on your system.

Usage

Starting the Server

1. Run the server script:

   python server.py

2. The server will start listening for client connections on the specified port.

Connecting a Client

1. Run the client script:

   python client.py

2. Use the following commands to interact with the server:
   • status: Retrieve connection details.
   • list: View available files.
   • get [filename]: Download a file from the server.
   • exit: Disconnect from the server.

Testing

Functional Tests

• Verified server handles up to three simultaneous clients.
• Confirmed proper responses for commands such as status, list, and exit.
• Ensured reliable file transfers, even with large files.

Stress Tests

• Attempted to connect more than three clients and observed appropriate error handling.
• Tested invalid commands and verified server stability.

Future Improvements

• Enhanced GUI: Develop a user-friendly interface for the client.
• Encryption: Implement secure data transfer protocols.
• Advanced Error Handling: Address unhandled edge cases and improve resilience.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Acknowledgments

This project was developed as part of the CP372 Computer Networks course at Wilfrid Laurier University.