CP372 – Socket Programming Assignment (Fall 2025)

This repository contains a simple TCP client–server system implemented in Python for CP372 – Computer Networks.

Repository Structure

• Server.py # Multi-threaded TCP server (handles up to 3 clients; cache; file repo)
• Client.py # Interactive client + driver code to spawn multiple clients for testing
• Report.pdf # Implementation details, tests (with screenshots), challenges, improvements

Files

Server.py

• Accepts multiple client connections (multi-threaded, configurable max; default 3).
• Auto-assigns names to clients: Client01, Client02, …
• Maintains an in-memory cache of connections (start/end timestamps).
• Echoes messages with ACK.
• Special commands:
  • status → returns the cache contents.
  • list → lists files available in the server’s repository.
  • <filename> → streams the requested file if present; handles not-found cases.
  • exit → cleanly disconnects the client.

Client.py

• Connects to the server and sends its assigned name.
• Sends messages; receives echoed ACK.
• Supports status, list, <filename>, and exit.
• Driver code included to spawn N clients for testing (see top-of-file usage/help).

Report.pdf

• Design & implementation overview.
• Challenges and how they were addressed.
• Test results with screenshots covering rubric items.
• Possible improvements.

How to Run

1. Start the server python Server.py
2. Start one or more clients python Client.py -- Use the driver section in Client.py to spawn multiple clients automatically for demo/testing.

Notes

• Demo is mandatory; ensure both group members’ names appear in the code headers and in Report.pdf.
• Socket communication is TCP only, as per assignment requirements.