Re: [Plib-devel] Networking Code

[Sam S. <sa...@sp...>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Curtis L. Olson" <cu...@me...>
To: <pli...@li...>
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2000 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Plib-devel] Networking Code


> Sam Stickland writes:
> > You should have a look at this article on gamasutra:
> >
> > The Internet Sucks: Or, What I Learned Coding X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter
> > http://www.gamasutra.com/features/19990903/lincroft_01.htm
> >
> > It explains how, somewhat surprisingly (to me at least) the
> > programming team made the mistake of starting with TCP/IP. In the
> > end they had to recode it all to use UDP/IP.
> >
> > I haven't looked into T/TCP at all - how widely supported is it now?
>
> Never heard of T/TCP myself ... I think there is a ttcp utility for
> unix that helps you bench mark raw net performance but I doubt that's
> the same thing.
>
> > As regards the difference between TCP and UDP, *everything* that
> > makes TCP great for file transfer makes it rubbish for streaming
> > media and real-time games.  (And vice-versa UDP is great for
> > streaming makes it's rubbish for file transfer).
>
> First let me say I don't disagree with anything you have said here.  I
> just want to fill in a little bit bigger picture.  In my mind anyway I
> think there are places where both TCP and UDP type sockets are
> important to have.  A more complex game/simulation might find itself
> needing both at the same time (meaning multiple open connections.)

>
> Now that I've finished my message I see this little add on at the
> bottom of yours ... oh well ... :-)

Heh, it happens.

> I guess the point I'd like to still emphasize is that a network
> library really needs to be able to support both TCP and UDP socket
> protocols.

Actually while we're on this subject I am concerned about the accuracy of my network engine over true internet links.  It's somewhat
harder to test these yourself than it is to run tests on LANs.  Are there any *cheap* (read free :), WAN simulators out there.  Or
maybe just some 30 day trial ones I can use to knock the code up into shape after I've done all the testing I can do.

All the ones I've found are commerical and way outside of my price range, for what is, essentially a hobby.

Sam