SuperCom™ TCP/IP Library

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is SuperCom offering synchronous or asynchronous data communication ?

SuperCom is offering asynchronous non-blocking data communications.

Is there a limit on the number of servers or clients ?

Yes. Each application (.exe) using SuperCom can control up to 255 simultaneously open connections. For example, one or more server that accept up to 254 clients, 1 to 255 clients for outgoing connections or any mixture of server and clients up to 255 connections. To increase that limit it is possible to request a custom SuperCom DLL or use another instance of the same application (.exe).

How many concurrent connections can a TCP server control ?

A SuperCom TCP/IP server can handle up to 254 concurrent connections. That is 254 simoultaneously active data communication connections. See also the next question.

More than 250 clients must reach simultaneously a TCP server.

Each application (.exe) using SuperCom can control up to 255 simultaneously open connections. To increase that limit it is possible to request a custom SuperCom DLL or use another instance of the same application (.exe) using the next server on an unused port.
Example
mysrv.exe 9000    Clients 1 to 254 connecting to port 9000, that is a total of 254 concurrent connections
mysrv.exe 9001    Clients 1 to 254 connecting to port 9001, that is a total of 508 concurrent connections
mysrv.exe 9002    Clients 1 to 254 connecting to port 9002, that is a total of 762 concurrent connections

One could also use mysrv.exe as a hidden console application that runs behind the GUI.

Another important issue one should consider when designing a high volume application is the overall resource consumption.

My TCP server can accept up to 100.000 short connections a day. Is this possible with SuperCom ?

100.000 connections per day = 100.000 / 24 = 4167 connections per hour = 70 connections per minute. With SuperCom a TCP server can handle up to 254 concurrent connections.

Is it possible to start the same TCP server application (.exe) more than one time using a different port ?

Yes. Each application (.exe) using SuperCom can start a server using a different port and thus supporting additional 254 simultaneously connected clients.

Need a high volume TCP Client

Using SuperCom each application can run up to 255 concurrent client connections. If need more just start another instance of the client (.exe).
Example
myclient.exe    Clients 1 to 255, that is a total of 255 concurrent connections
myclient.exe    Clients 1 to 255, that is a total of 510 concurrent connections
myclient.exe    Clients 1 to 255, that is a total of 765 concurrent connections

One could also use myclient.exe as a hidden console application that runs behind the GUI.

Another important issue one should consider when designing a high volume application is the overall resource consumption.

Our connection drops too soon. Does SuperCom perform a stable connection ?

Yes. With SuperCom the connection stays stable until your application or the remote releases it. If the library you are currently using does not handle connections that way it is doing wrong.

Is it possible for clients to simultaneously exchange files with a server ?

Yes. Each client connected to the server can send or receive a file. SuperCom offers standard protocols (e.g. ZMODEM, YMODEM, XMODEM, KERMIT, etc.) that can be used for that purpose but custom protocols can be used too.
The shipped product includes TCP server samples (GUI and console) that accept files from many clients concurrently.

Several clients must transmit files per ZMODEM to the server.

A SuperCom TCP Server can hold up to 254 concurrent connections. Each one can send or receive file(s) using ZMODEM or any other included file transfer protocol.

Can I build something like a File-Server ?

Yes. The shipped product include high speed servers (GUI and console) that accept files from many clients simultaneously. One sample also offers a login protection by user, password.

Do you offer an "OnData" event ?

Yes. SuperCom can inform the application when data for a specific connection was received and buffered. SuperCom can report a lot more events too.

Is it possible to get an event on a special byte/character or even on a byte sequence ?

Yes. A special event reports on special byte or sequence of bytes. More...

Is it possible to get an event when the network breaks down ?

Yes. A special event reports when the own network access breaks down or returns back (e.g. cable, network card, etc.).

My application needs to know when the TCP connection is closed

SuperCom reports event when the connection closed on client or server side.

Is it possible to use or share Delphi Indy connections?

SuperCom ist very flexible. It can use third party connections to transfer data or files. For example, the application can transfer data or files using SuperCom over the ready Indy connection and return after that to Indy.

How is the TCP server reporting incoming connection ?

The server is sending an event to the Server event function (e.g. OnComm and/or UserEventProc) in order to signal each incoming connection. The application can accept or reject.

Is there an ActiveX that I can use ?

Yes. SuperCom for TCP/IP and SuperCom Suite is offering DUAL API library, that means one can use the ActiveX control, the DLL functions or the SuperCom .NET Class Library (ActiveX similar class).

What do I use with .NET ?

Additionally to the ActiveX control also included is the SuperCom .NET Class Library including the class SuperCom and the ActiveX similar class TSCom. One can choose the best fit.

Multi Threaded TCP Server in C

A complete multi threaded client / server project written in C is included. Details ...