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C# Auto Discovery

I found this article that contains code on a client / server application can communicate with each other without knowing their IP address prior the the first network handshake. The article discusses using UDP.

http://www.nullskull.com/a/1551/clientserver-autodiscovery-in-c-and-udp-sockets.aspx

My understanding of UDP is that it is not as secure as TCP.

Is there a TCP example?
Or any other advice? I need a client to auto discover a server app without knowing the IP. I know bonjour is a possibility but looking for another solution.

Thanks

it_saige

For this situation you want to use UDP. It doesn't have to be secure because you are not making a secure connection, instead you are sending a network wide signal. It's basically a ping. For this ping you want the smaller footprint that a UDP packet allows for. Anyone that is listening for the ping responds.

After you receive the ping acknowledgement do you attempt to make the secure tcp connection. I believe that you think that you have to use a different port than that of which you currently use but that is not the case.

TCP/80 is not the same as UDP/80 (not implying that this is the port you use).

WCF even implements helper classes for UdpDiscovery: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd456791(v=vs.110).aspx

-saige-

CipherIS

ASKER

Saige,

So if I understand correct, use UDP for the ping. Once I receive the acknowledgement, then switch to TCP to make the secure connection?

Thanks

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it_saige

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CipherIS

ASKER

I wouldn't have to worry about the security issues with UDP (e.g. DOS)?