Array

An array is a zero-based array of indexed slots. The slots can be of different types. There is no limit in the number of elements.

Buffer

A buffer is a sequence of bytes. It can be text, images, wave files, etc.

Connection

To exchange data with another endpoint or with an extension, the endpoint must connect to the broker.

Data types

Three data types are used to allow the Netsize Active Gateway components to exchange messages dynamically: arrays, frames and slots.

Endpoint

An endpoint is a Netsize Active Gateway component which you integrate to a program to send and receive data in form of messages. It allows applications to communicate in a same environment or in heterogeneous environment.

Frame

A frame is a collection of named slots.

Message

A long sequence of bytes that typically represent a «unit of meaning» to the application processes that send and receive it. In order to communicate by message, applications exchange frames.

Message broker

A message broker is, like message queuing and message passing, a variant of the messages-oriented middleware (MOM). The advantage of message broker in comparison to the MOM reside in the conversion of data types which allows it to run in heterogeneous environments. Netsize Active Gateway offers two ways to store information (in memory or in a folder) and use a dynamic data structure that is comprehensible by every platforms.

Message queue

In asynchronous mode, messages are stored in a queue until the peer connect to the broker to get them. They are either stored in memory or on the hard disk in a specific folder.

Mode: asynchronous

The broker stores the message in a queue (the data are kept in memory or saved on the disk) until the peer connects to the broker. This communication mode is used to exchange data with more than a peer or when an endpoint connects to an extension. The endpoint can choose another peer during a connection.

Mode: synchronous

Two applications connect simultaneously to the broker to start a point-to-point communication. This communication mode allows to know that the broker did receive the data but not if the peer got them. To connect with an extension, you can choose between this mode and the asynchronous mode.

Monitor

The Monitor extension allows to query the broker from a distance.

Objects

Netsize Active Gateway proposes a set of objects which can contain all data types. There are three object's types: slots, frames and arrays.

Peer

Another endpoint or an extension with which you want to communicate.

SDK

Software Development Kit of Netsize Active Gateway. This set of components is installed on you hard-disk to allow you to develop new endpoints and extensions for Netsize Active Gateway.

Slot

Slots are abstract objects similar to data storage boxes. These boxes can contain data of several types. Boolean, byte, DateTime (date and time), double, float, long, short and string.

Store & forward

Other appellation for the asynchronous mode. The peer is not simultaneously connected to the endpoint which sends messages. Data are stored in a waiting queue in the broker and delivered (forward) when the peer connects to the broker.