lan chat messenger (lcm) using java programming ...

3rd International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13)

LAN CHAT MESSENGER (LCM) USING JAVA PROGRAMMING WITH VOIP IBRAHIM MUHAMMED ABBA

NORSHAKIRAH AB.AZIZ

SOCSIT Linton University College Mantin, Malaysia [email protected]


UMAPATHY EAGANATHAN

JANET GABRIEL

DOCS Vels University Chennai, India [email protected]


Abstract—LAN Chat Messenger (LCM) using VOIP offers zero cost communication among staffs in a company. Not limited to that, it is also allows them to chat, send files and free voice call. This study offers voice call and file transfer which helps to solve the communication issue especially on time and cost of the communication maintenance. The information exchange between individual becomes smoother and provides more options. The Rational Unified Process(RUP) development methodology was used in the development of the System and for implementation Client/Server network and TCP/IP was used. LCM is a standalone application using JAVA programming as the programming language and tested at one of the private organization as domain study.

sends another colleague an email the colleague (recipient) may have to go online to check his/her email before the message can be seen or read [2]. Some staffs do check their mail every two or three days, so if a message is sent, it may take the recipient two to three days to reply because that is when he would be able to access or check his mail. Therefore, with the highlighted problem above, LCM aims is to give a solution to this setback. This Messenger will help save time, evaluate work presence and reduce the staff stress.

Keywords-LAN, Chat, Messenger, Client Server.

I. INTRODUCTION The relatively amorphous nature of synchronous messaging allows it to potentially support many different types of communication.It could boost business activities, save time, energy and cost in some cases, it also takes place in different forms such as speech, text, signals and the likes. It can also be said to be a conceptual way of exchanging information between entities [1]. The despite of uprising growth, popularity and advancement in communication technology which many organizations are using today, some of them still lags behind i.e. they still have not gotten the basic use of Instant Messaging service among Staffs. The communication still conducted with the conventional way which the staffs communicate with each other by walking to the office of the colleague they intend to communicate with. They do similarly or call using mobile phones when they need information from a colleague, which is stressful and/or costly. Also, despite the use of emails for communication, it still has this drawback that if a colleague

II.

LITERATURE REVIEW

LCM is a computer program for the widespread online conference.LCM is considered for an instant messaging build for the use only in a single LAN (Local Area Network) [3].As a matter of fact there are countless assortments of chatting. The simplest computer chatting is a method of dispatching, consenting, and storing typed memos alongside a web of users. This web might be WAN (Wide Area Network) or LAN (Local Area Network).This study proposed chat system using LAN’s (static IP address). It is made up of two requests one runs on the server side (every computer on the web that selects it to be the server) as the supplementary is held and gave on the client side. Every single period the client wants to chat he/she runs the client application.The client must login and then enter port number and IP address of the server, while the server application started. With a LCM, it is easy to broadcast information to other clients. It makes information sharing possible without any physical contact. As stated by [4] the Importance of chat messenger includesconnections provision combined problematic resolving, coordination, communal connection,

428

3rd International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13) and collective knowledge which are important for difficult collaboration.This is very helpful mainly for large offices because the distance barrier is broken and reduces burden on staff. Information that could be shared can include; files, text and pictures. Therefore, chat messenger can be considered as a powerful tool for information sharing. The proposed system will be using voice call, send file and will support multiple clients to have a conversation that is conference. Many firms rely on LCM to stay in stroke alongside every single other. And alongside the attendance indicator, one can swiftly and facilely notify if a co-worker is at their desk or computer. According to [1], It has become common place for teams to work across distances so common, in fact, that new terminology such as virtual teams and global work are becoming widely accepted. Many economic factors drive this style of working. Despite inexperienced claims in some quarters that working across distance is not essentially different from co-located work, careful analysis and examination of the evidence indicate otherwise. The LCM system uses the three (3) tier client server architecture as shown in Figure 1. Most of the company logic is placed in the middle tier which the company logic is encapsulated as a constituent in a distinct tier. In this construction, after the company attention or company laws change, merely the middle tier has to be adjusted [5].

and devices (such as modem, printer or fax card). The clients neither share their resources with any Client nor the Server. The figure 2 below shows the Client/Server network architecture.

Fig. 2 Client/Server network keeps resources centralized [6] A protocol is a set of formal rules describing how data is transmitted especially across a network [7]. This study, TCP/IP protocol was used for implementation purposes and client server model for communication. All instant messenger clients use one or more protocols to enable communication possible. Computer Network Protocols commonly use packet switching technique to send and receive messages in a packet format [7]. According to [8], TCP/IP layers is widely accepted standard to promote interoperability among vendor equipment and to encourage economies of scale. This is due to complexity of communication tasks. The communication layers are divided into layers to promote understandability and modularity for process communication.The table below explains the five layers in the TCP/IP architecture layer of a network communication according to [8]. Table 1 TCP/IP layers Application layer

Provides access to the OSI environment for users and also provides distributed information services.

Transport layer

Provide the control structures for communication between end points; provides end-to-end error recovery and flow control Provides upper layers with independence from the data transmission and switching technologies used to connect systems; responsible for establishing, terminating connections.

Fig. 1 Three Tier Client/Server Architecture Model [5] Client/server network was chosen to be used in this paper to implement the LCM because of the central administration, scalability- any component or client can be upgraded when required, flexibility – new technology can be integrated into the network should the client increase.In the Client/Server network host/nodes/computers called clients communicate with each other using or with the help of a central host/node/computer called Server [6]. In this type of network, all the resources are being provided and managed by the Server while the Clients consume the resources. Again these resources may be files, directories, applications

Network layer

Link layer

429

Provides for the reliable transfer of information across the physical link; sends blocks (frame) with the necessary synchronization, error control, and flow

3rd International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13) control.

Physical layer

Concerned with transmission of unstructured with bit stream over physical medium; deals with mechanical, electrical, functional, and procedural characteristics to access the physical medium.

Inorder to implement the LCM, it requires socket which is generally a software element that is used to connect process to communicate with other computers process. Socket was described by [9] as an object that represents a low-level access point to the IP stack. [10] continues explains that Socket enables an application to connect to a network and communicate with other applications that connected to the same network. A socket basically constitutes the combination of an IP address and a port number. (Socket = IP address + Port Number). The figure 3 and 4 shows the TCP client incoming connection and after a connection was established.The server accepts the client request and TCP listener. Then its listens for another incoming client connection request. After that its accommodate other clients in the network and the cycle goes until the server goes down. However, after a connection is established it can only be terminated by the client.

A. How Chat Communication Works As mentioned, two sockets are created at the client side and the server side. The client connects to the server through its IP address and port number. They must share the same port number for them to communicate [9].The client and the server both communicate through a stream of bytes written to the socket. The client and the server must agree on a protocol (TCP, UDP or RAW) and agree on the language of the information transferred back and forth through the socket [14]. This study used socket concept to collect message. Basically the message sent by one staff into a socket and pass it to another staff on the receiving side. If it is a group chatting, a central socket will be used to collect the message and then it will be broadcast to all staff that is active.The process of the socket communication shown in figure 5.

Fig. 3 Server Application listens on a host and port number for incoming TCP client connection [10].

Fig. 5 Socket communication (Creating a TCP Stream Socket Application [9].

Fig. 4 TCP listener accepts incoming TCP client connection [10]

430

3rd International Conference on R Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13) III.

RESEARCH METHODOL LOGY

RUP was used as the methodology of the pproposed system. RUP is the process of building a working system by using object oriented concepts to describe work fflows and phases of an information system [11]. The RUP is also known as a procedure instituted and conserved by Rational Software[12]. However [13]stated that RUP P is not a suitable procedure for all kinds of progress but it doees embody a new creation of generic processes. The most vitaal changes are the separation of periods and workflows, andd the credit that employing multimedia in a user’s nature iis portion of the process. It establishes a methodical methood for allocating tasks and obligations inside an enhanced organization. Its target is to make sure the conception of high-quality multimedia that meets the needs of its endd-users, inside an anticipated design and budget. The Figurre 6 shows RUP phases, it describes work flows of RUP phases.

Select Online User

Click Voice Call

Verify Information

Voice Called Sucessful

[ No ]

[ Yes ]

User Rejected Call

Fig. 7 Make Voice Call Activity A Diagram For the send file function, the Fiigure 8 shows the work flows of send the file. The send file function in this system n one second and receive is very fast, it sends files in less than files in less than one second.

Select Online User

Click Send File

Fig. 6 RUP Phases [12]. Select File from Dialog Box

To help the development process and foocus on the core functionalities of the system, the unified moodeling language (UML) as fundamental principles was desiggned. The Figure 7 shows the processes of Voice Call coonducted by the proposed system.

Click Open Button

File Sent Sucessful

Confirm Inforrmation

[ Yes ]

[ No ]

File Was Rejected

Fig. 8 Send file Activity Diagram m have shown that the The functionalities of the system system meets its requirements speecification analyzed. The system’s functionalities have inclluded the improvements expected and the solutions to the problems p it was meant to solve. The proposed system also provides Voice Call Function with recent calls that aree missed calls, outgoing call and incoming call. Figure 9 sh hows the client page that

431

3rd International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13) listed all of the incoming call which the existing systems don’t have. It allows users to communicate on networks outside internet boundaries. At the same time, it saves money and time especially in the process of getting information. It allows multiple chat (conference) which can be integrated in the school library for communication between students and Librarian. The proposed system can work on all Windows platforms provided the Client and Server are using the same type of operating system and it enables connected clients to save their chat history.

Factor

Akeni LAN Messenger It uses the Protocol single protocol i.e. it can only communicate with other users on the same client software using the TCP/IP protocol. Communication No Voice Call feature

Slow file transfer

Fig. 9 Client Page Showing Incoming Call.

IV.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

As conclusion, the LCM proposed supports peer to peer and server based modes. Without internet connection, the staffs still able to communicate with each other and LCM allows them to send files and chatting. Table 1 shows the details of the comparison of the proposed system with two selected existing systems.

Security

Encryption

Network Connection Type

Akeni LAN Messenger It is a secure LAN messenger

Outlook LAN Proposed Messenger System It is a secure It is more LAN secure messenger because there is encryption No No The messages sent to other users are encrypted. It requires It requires It requires only the LAN only the LAN only the LAN to to to communicate communicate communicate with other with other with other users. users. users.

Proposed System It uses the single protocol i.e. it can only communicate with other users on the same client software using the TCP/IP protocol.

No Voice Call Support Voice Call

Slow file transfer

File transfer very fast

The proposed system also was tested with the identified staffs which the feedback of the testing is good and really helps the staffs in the institution communicate among them easily. They prefer to use the chat because of the history of communication rather than using telephone conversation which no track record provided. At the same time, the information was distributed efficiently among the staffs. V. CONSLUSION As mentioned previously, the proposed system solved the communication problem among staffs and reduce the time and cost of the internal institution communication. The proposed system also helps the staffs within a building or work group to be connected which in distant locations. It becomes interconnected into larger wide area networks (WAN) using voice call and some other functions mentioned which helps the routine office chores such as file transfer and urgent management announcement.

Table 2: Comparison between Akeni LAN Messenger, Outlook LAN Messenger and Proposed system. Factor

Outlook LAN Messenger It uses the single protocol i.e. it can only communicate with other users on the same client software using the TCP/IP protocol.

REFERENCES [1]

Handel, M and Herbsleb, J.D (2002) What Is Chat Doing in the Workplace?, ACM Publishers, New York.

[2]

Flynn, N., (2004),Instant Messaging rules: a business guide to managing policies, security & legal issues for safe IM communication, Amacom, USA. LAN Messenger http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAN_messenger (2012) Bonnie, A.N, Steve, W and Erin, B (2000) Interaction and Outeraction: Instant Messaging in Action, ACM Publishers, New York. Chandra, S.Y and Kumar, S.S (2009) An Introduction to CLIENT/SERVER COMPUTING, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi. Hallberg, B. (2010), Networking, a beginner's guide, 5th ed., USA: McGraw-Hill Companies Meghanathan, N. (2010), Recent Trends in Networks and Communications, Germany: Springer-Verlag. Williams, S (2004) Computer Networking with Internet Protocols and Technology Alan Apt, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River.

[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

432

3rd International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2013 (ICRIIS’13) [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Reid, F (2004) Network programming in .net with c# and visual basic, Elsevier digital press, 200 wheeler road, Burlington, ma 01803, USA. Donahoo, J. M. &. Calvert, L. K. (2009),TCP/IP Sockets in C: practical guide for programmers, 2nd ed., USA: Elsevier Inc. Bruegge, B and Dutoit, A.H (2000) Object-Oriented Software Engineering Conquering Complex And Changing Systems, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. J. Manalil, "Rational Unified Process," Cochin University of Science and Technology, 2011. Sommerville, I (2007) Software Engineering: Software Process, 8thedn, Addison Wesley,London. Umar, S and Justin, M.P. (2003). Service-oriented Network Socket, Association for Computing Machinery Publishers, New York.

433