File Transfer using Client-Server Architecture Distributed Systems (SOCKETS)

This program is a basic implementation of a widely used client-server based communication architecture between different Distributed Systems. Connections are established through Sockets. Server can handle multiple clients simultaneously using multi-threading. Clients can download multiple files parallely using multiple threaded connections.

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Implementation

Run the server.py python script before client.py (else the client would throw a connection error and close).

Server

The server.py can be executed simply using:

python server.py

If required, arguments can be passed to the Server during the time of execution as follows:

python server.py --ip <Host Address> --port <PORT> --dir <Host File Location>

--port is used to pass port number as argument (default:9000)

--dir is used to declare the host file directory (default: ./host_dir)

--ip is used to pass IP Address manually (default: Self Host)

Client

To start the client, run client.py

python client.py

If required, arguments can be passed to the Client during the time of execution as follows:

python client.py --ip <Address> --port <PORT> --dir <Download Location>

--port is used to pass server's PORT number as argument (default:9000)

--dir is used to declare the download file directory (default: ./downloads)

--ip is used to pass Server's IP Address manually (default: Self Host)

It is advised to not use --ip if running the server.py and client.py on local machine.

To shutdown an active server, Keyboard Interrupt the server by pressing ‘ctrl’ + ’F’ keys.

If any active clients are connected, the server will print the same in console. It is advised to close the clients before closing the server to avoid temporary PORT blocking.

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Features

Server Features (Version 1.0.0)

• Server logs every major action in a log file.
• The server binds to a socket which is listening for conntections on a port.
• Clients can connect to the server using the system's address and port number.
• Server can handle multiple connections simultaneously using Multi-Threading.
• The server (program) hosts a few files in it's specified host directory.
• The server sends the list of files it has in it's hosted directory to the client on demand.
• Server sends the requested download file to the client from it's host directory.
• Host Address, Port Number and File host directory can be updated as passed arguements while running the program.

Client Features (Version 1.0.0)

• Client is an terminal based user interractive program.
• Client establishes connection to the server using the server system's address and port number.
• Client requests the server to send the list of files it has.
• Client creates a directory to download files to (if not created).
• Client takes files selected for download by the user and proceeds to download using either of the two methods:
  • Parallel Download: Downloads files parallely by establishing new connection for each file download.
  • Serial Download: Downloads files one after another in the same connection as the client.
• Client closes connection and shutdowns if user quits the program.

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About

Version: 1.0.0

Reporitory: https://github.com/amitnikam/File-Transfer-using-Client-Server-Architecture-Distributed-Systems-SOCKET

Author: Amit Nikam

Mail: mail@amitnikam.com

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