CP372 Assignment 1 - Client-Server Communication Application

Overview

This is a Python-based client-server communication application developed for CP372 (Computer Networks) at Wilfrid Laurier University. The application implements a basic chat system between multiple clients and a server using TCP sockets.

Group Members

• Jillian Fernandes
• Ryan Campbell 169073812

Features

• TCP socket-based client-server communication
• Support for multiple clients (up to 3 concurrent connections)
• Automatic client naming system (Client01, Client02, etc.)
• In-memory cache for tracking client connections
• Message acknowledgment system
• Status reporting functionality
• Clean client disconnection handling
• Bonus features:
  • File repository listing
  • File streaming capabilities

Project Structure

.
├── README.md
├── Server.py
├── Client.py
└── Report.pdf

Git Collaboration Guide

First Time Setup

If you're setting up the repository for the first time:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/souppman/cp372-a1.git
cd cp372-a1

# Configure your Git identity (if not already done)
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

# Add the remote repository
git remote add origin https://github.com/souppman/cp372-a1.git

Making Changes

Follow these steps when making changes:

# Get the latest changes
git pull origin main

# Make your changes to the files

# Check status of your changes
git status

# Add your changes
git add .                  # Add all changes
# OR
git add specific_file.py   # Add specific file

# Commit your changes
git commit -m "Descriptive message about your changes"

# Push to repository
git push origin main

Common Git Commands

• git status: Check status of your changes
• git pull: Get latest changes from repository
• git add: Stage changes for commit
• git commit: Save your changes locally
• git push: Upload your changes to repository
• git log: View commit history

Best Practices

1. Always pull before making changes
2. Write clear commit messages
3. Test code before pushing

Setup Instructions

Running the Application

1. Start the server:

python server.py

2. Start a client (in a separate terminal):

python client.py

Usage Instructions

Server Commands

• The server automatically handles client connections and maintains a connection cache
• Server limits connections to 3 concurrent clients
• Server responds to client messages with acknowledgments

Client Commands

• Messages are sent via command line interface
• Special commands:
  • status: Request current server cache contents
  • exit: Terminate connection with server
  • list: Request list of files in server repository (bonus feature)
  • To request a file: Enter the filename after receiving the file list

Assignment Requirements

• Programming Language: Python
• Required Files:
  • Server.py
  • Client.py
  • Report.pdf
• Demonstration is mandatory
• Both team members' names must be included in code files and report

Development Notes

• Server uses multi-threading to handle multiple clients
• Client naming follows the format "Client[XX]" (e.g., Client01, Client02)
• Cache maintains connection timestamps (start and end times)
• Clean disconnection handling implemented

Testing

Refer to the Report.pdf for:

• Test cases and screenshots
• Implementation details
• Challenges faced and solutions
• Potential improvements