Network Point to Point Connection

[scott-s-karl]

• [ ] Send Json from one user to no local user and back

[zane-a-karl]

Asking AI what our other options might be besides setting up port forwarding: You're right that port forwarding can be challenging for many users. Let's explore some alternative options that could make your game more accessible:

1. UPnP (Universal Plug and Play):

   • UPnP is a protocol that allows applications to automatically configure port forwarding on compatible routers.
   • You could implement UPnP in your application to try and set up the necessary port forwarding automatically.
   • This approach works well when both users have UPnP-enabled routers, but it's not universally supported.

2. STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT):

   • STUN helps discover the public IP address and port of a device behind a NAT.
   • It can facilitate direct peer-to-peer connections in many cases without manual port forwarding.
   • However, it may not work with all types of NATs, particularly symmetric NATs.

3. TURN (Traversal Using Relays around NAT):

   • TURN is used when direct peer-to-peer connections are not possible.
   • It relies on a TURN server to relay traffic between peers.
   • This approach works in almost all network configurations but requires hosting a TURN server.

4. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication):

   • WebRTC is primarily for web browsers but can be used in desktop applications.
   • It handles NAT traversal using ICE (Interactive Connectivity Establishment), which combines STUN and TURN.
   • This could be a robust solution, especially if you're open to creating a small web interface for your game.

5. Hole Punching:

   • This technique involves both peers sending packets to each other's public IP and port, potentially creating a path through the NAT.
   • It can be effective but may require a coordination server to exchange initial connection information.

6. VPN (Virtual Private Network):

   • Players could connect to a VPN service, which would place them on the same virtual network.
   • This approach requires users to set up and use a VPN, which might be a barrier for some.

7. Relay Server:

   • Similar to your website idea, you could set up a simple relay server that both clients connect to.
   • The server would forward messages between clients, eliminating the need for direct peer-to-peer connections.
   • This approach is reliable but introduces latency and requires server hosting.

Considering your constraints and desire for simplicity, here are a couple of recommendations:

1. Implement STUN with a fallback to a simple relay server:

   • Try to establish a direct connection using STUN.
   • If STUN fails, fall back to a simple relay server.
   • This approach provides a good balance of performance and reliability.

2. Use a library that handles NAT traversal:

   • Consider using a library like pyp2p or pynng, which can handle much of the networking complexity for you.
   • These libraries often implement various NAT traversal techniques internally.

Both of these options would require minimal setup from your friends while providing a good chance of successful connections across different network configurations.