Thread: Finding a server

  1. #1
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    Finding a server

    Hi,

    i have a small problem.
    I wrote a server application running on a linux pc. Now this pc gets conencted to a network with DHCP server, from which it receives its ip.

    My problem is now that i run another programm on a windows pc, which has to find the linux server.

    I read something about broadcasts, but i dont know if its the right approach.

    Thanks for your time.

  2. #2
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    Is the windows PC and the linux PC on the same network? What stops you from assigning the linux PC's IP address statically?

  3. #3
    Registered User Kybo_Ren's Avatar
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    Yes, I'd set the broadcast flag and send a message with something like, "<app name> BROADCAST" to 255.255.255.255 on your application's port. Then the other computer can respond and they can initiate the connection.

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    Keep in mind that will only work if the SO_BROADCAST socket option is set, and the other computer is on the same LAN.

  5. #5
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    Is there some way you could make the servers ip or hostname a config option? this way you don't have to search, and its not restricted to LAN use.
    If any part of my post is incorrect, please correct me.

    This post is not guarantied to be correct, and is not to be taken as a matter of fact, but of opinion or a guess, unless otherwise noted.

  6. #6
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    Thank you very much.

    I got some problems understanding how broadcasts work.
    If anybody could post a link to a good explanation/example
    i would appreciate it.
    My problems are:
    the client sends the broadcast as udp packet, do i have then to implement the answer or will it be automatically?
    And can broadcasts be only on specific ports?

  7. #7
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    do i have then to implement the answer or will it be automatically?
    You have to answer. Traditionally you would send back the IP address to the client, so it could connect back to the server.

    And can broadcasts be only on specific ports?
    Well it can be on any port.

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