Winsock or Alternatives for C/S Communication?

[JAG14]

Hi All,

I have a program that currently runs locally on each users system. I log in to the system remotely to change settings or adjust programming.
I want to build a Server program that will communicate with each of the Clients and adjust settings from a central location.
I've been researching Winsockets but I need to use it both ways. That is, the server also needs to receive information (a log) from the Clients and then Send Information Back based on that log entry.

Will I need to open a session from the Server to send information and a Seperate session from the client to return?

All answers apreciated greatly, Winsocket to me.

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]

 

[dilettante]

Winsock is bidirectional. Normally there is no reason to open two connections.

 

[chiph]

Normally there is no reason to open two connections.

True, unless both sides need to initiate conversations. Otherwise it's a "I talk, You reply" kind of conversation.

Chip H.


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[dilettante]

I've run into situations where one end was an IBM mainframe as well, and for whatever reason they chose to use two connections. I think they said it was done to avoid some one-in, one-out limitation in their CICS programs. This allowed the client end to send multiple requests without awaiting the response to each request before sending the subsequent one.

 

[JAG14]

Thanx Guys,

Does the connection have to close before another client wants a natter with the server?

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]

 

[dilettante]

Not necessarily, the server can accept multiple connections simultaneously if written to use a control array properly.

You should find plenty on writing multiuser servers based on Winsock here already, or at other web sites supporting VB 5&6. Start with the FAQs for this forum, then maybe a few searches here and via Google or your favorite search site.

 

[dilettante]

Here is one general overview of Winsock programming in VB. I'm sure you can find many others as well:

Creating Client/Server Application using Winsock