Remote Device Controller System (Secure Socket Programming)

Project Overview

This project implements a Remote Device Controller System using Python socket programming with SSL/TLS encryption. It allows a centralized server to securely control multiple client devices such as volume control, notepad, alarm, camera, monitor, and light systems over a network.

The system demonstrates secure communication, multi-threading, and device-level command execution.

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Team Members

1. Meghna Sanjeev - SRN: PES1UG24CS269
2. Mrinmayi Raman - SRN: PES1UG24CS278
3. Advika Raj - SRN: PES1UG24CS906

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Features

• Secure communication using SSL/TLS
• Centralized server controlling multiple clients
• Device-level authentication using keys
• Real-time command execution
• Continuous status updates from clients
• Multi-threaded server handling multiple devices
• Latency measurement for commands

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System Architecture

All clients establish secure SSL/TLS connections to a centralized server, which sends commands and receives responses.

                      ┌───────────────┐
                      │    SERVER     │
                      │ Command Hub   │
                      └──────┬────────┘
                             │ SSL/TLS
      ┌────────────┬─────────┼─────────┬────────────┬────────────┬────────────┐
      │            │         │         │            │            │            │
 ┌────────┐  ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐
 │ Camera │  │ Monitor│ │ Light  │ │ Volume │ │ Notepad│ │ Alarm  │ │  ...   │
 │Client1 │  │Client1 │ │Client1 │ │Client2 │ │Client2 │ │Client2 │ │ Future │
 └────────┘  └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘

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Client Types

The system consists of two client programs:

Client1

Handles:

• Camera Capture (using OpenCV)
• System Monitoring (CPU and RAM using psutil)
• Light Control (GUI-based using Tkinter)

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Client2

Handles:

• Volume Control
• Notepad Control
• Alarm System (GUI-based using Tkinter)

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Technologies Used

• Python
• Socket Programming
• SSL/TLS
• Multi-threading
• Tkinter (GUI)
• OpenCV (Camera)
• Psutil (System Monitoring)

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Setup Instructions

1. Clone the repository

git clone <your-repo-link>
cd <repo-folder>

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2. Generate SSL Certificates (Mutual TLS)

mkdir certs
cd certs

# Create Certificate Authority (CA)
openssl genrsa -out ca.key 2048
openssl req -x509 -new -nodes -key ca.key -sha256 -days 365 -out ca.crt

# Generate Server Certificate
openssl genrsa -out server.key 2048
openssl req -new -key server.key -out server.csr
openssl x509 -req -in server.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out server.crt -days 365 -sha256

# Generate Client Certificate
openssl genrsa -out client.key 2048
openssl req -new -key client.key -out client.csr
openssl x509 -req -in client.csr -CA ca.crt -CAkey ca.key -CAcreateserial -out client.crt -days 365 -sha256

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3. File Distribution

Server Folder:

server.py
server.crt
server.key
ca.crt

Client Folder:

client.py
client2.py
client.crt
client.key
ca.crt

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4. Running the Project

Start Server

python server.py

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Start Clients

# Client1 (camera / monitor / light)
python client1.py

# Client2 (volume / notepad / alarm)
python client2.py

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Device Selection

• Client1 → camera / monitor / light
• Client2 → volume / notepad / alarm

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Supported Commands

Client1 Commands (camera / monitor / light)

Camera

• CAPTURE_IMAGE

Monitor

• GET_STATUS

Light

• TURN_ON_LIGHT
• TURN_OFF_LIGHT

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Client2 Commands (volume / notepad / alarm)

Volume

• INCREASE_VOLUME
• DECREASE_VOLUME

Notepad

• OPEN_NOTEPAD
• CLOSE_NOTEPAD

Alarm

• ACTIVATE_ALARM
• DEACTIVATE_ALARM

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Security Features

• SSL/TLS encrypted communication
• Mutual authentication using certificates
• Device-level authentication using keys
• Protection against unauthorized command execution

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Example Output

Server:

[SERVER STARTED]
[CONNECTED]
[INFO] Device registered: volume
[SENT] INCREASE_VOLUME -> volume
[ACK] volume: Volume Increased
[LATENCY] volume: 0.102 sec

Client:

[SECURE CONNECTED]
[STATUS] active

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Important Notes

• Ensure all certificate files are in correct directories
• Server must be started before clients
• IP address in client must match server IP
• Certificate Common Name (CN) must match server IP

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Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of socket programming
• Implementation of secure communication using SSL/TLS
• Multi-threaded client-server architecture
• Real-world system design concepts

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Future Enhancements

• Web-based dashboard for control
• Mobile app integration
• Role-based authentication
• Logging and monitoring system

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License

This project is developed for academic purposes.