CS 635

PROJECT 2		              Due Date: 9pm Wednesday 05/11/2005

     The purpose of this project is to gain experience with implementing
a user-level application which processes input from more than one device
and which utilizes the services of a device-driver that we have created.  



                           PROJECT STATEMENT                               

     Write an application program named 'nicchat.cpp' which will support
peer-to-peer communication between users at any two workstations located 
in our Kudlick Classroom, using a character-mode LINUX device-driver for 
their installed RealTek 8139 network interface controllers. 

     During a communication session, your application should display two
text-mode windows of size 12 rows by 80 columns, using the line-graphics 
glyphs from your terminal's alternate character-set: keystrokes that are
typed locally should be shown in the lower window, while keystrokes that 
are received over the local network should be shown in the upper window. 
The ASCII control-codes (for backspace, horizontal-tab, carriage-return,
and line-feed) should produce the same screen effects that users expect,
using line-wrap and window-scrolling to keep displayed characters within
their respective borders.  The cursor should remain visible in the lower
window, where your local keyboard-input is being echoed.

     The following additional issues need to be considered: (1) How will
each communication-session be initiated?  (2) How will it be terminated?
(3) How will potential error-conditions (missing or repeated characters)
be dealt with?  (4) How will extraneous network-traffic be accommodated?
(5) How will you minimize the need to transmit 'broadcast' messages over 
the network?  (6) How will your application learn the name of the person
with whom it is communicating?  (7) What attitude shall your application 
adopt regarding the privacy and authenticity of its communications?  


                            WHAT TO SUBMIT

    Copy your source-files ('nic.c' and 'nicchat.cpp') to your '/submit' 
directory, along with your compiled files (the 'nicchat' application and
and the 'nic.ko' kernel-object), so that your Instructor can access them
for testing and grading.  And, in addition to these binaries, turn in to
your instructor a fully legible paper printout of your two source-files.
You may, at your option, submit a 'readme' text-file which would explain
design-features of your application and/or your device-driver that might 
otherwise not be apparent from the comments in your source-code; but you
should submit your 'readme' file in both binary and hardcopy forms.  The   
location of the Instructor's mailbox is Room HRN-208 (for receiving your 
project's paper printouts). 

________________________________________________________________________
(c) Allan B. Cruse       University of San Francisco         Spring 2005