Generic Protocol Framework 1.0 RC1

Generic Protocol Framework aims to allow users to rapidly prototype different emerging communications protocols. Implementations can be easily "dropped in" and tested independant of a finished product. Testing on both the end product, and the protocol itself can be easily accomplished. The tool aims to provide the developer and end user with a robust solution which can track the size of messages, how rapidly they will be generated, and how many of each type can be seen.
Why the GPF:
There are many similar tools available. The problem with many of these tools is that they are 1) closed source, 2) not easily adaptable to a specific implementation (they use custom languages), 3) expensive. The advantages of the GPF are its open source nature, the ease of which it can be adapted, and the cost: free!
Basic Flow:
Modification of the GPF is fairly simple. Tool-opts.h contains the basic options that will be applied to the packet while it is being built. To transmit a packet, the system calls the tx_message() function, and passes the message ID as well as the option block. This is then passed to the custom function: tx_message_custom() in tx.c. From the message id, the system selects an appropriate tx_* function (to be implemented by the user) and passes an unsigned char **, where the buffer will be written, and the option block. In turn, that function will make heavy use of the add_buf_tu*() functions, which will allow the user to add a tubyte8, tuint16, or tuint32 number to the buffer.
In daemonize mode, the basic options are set, and the system then listens for incomming packets. When a packet arrives, the system calls basic_parse() on the packet. This function then calls basic_parse_custom(), found in parse.c. In turn, this can call any appropriate parsing helpers, including the get_tu*() functions, which allow the user to retrieve a tubyte8, tuint16, or tuint32 from the buffer. CAVEAT: if the first two bytes of the buffer are zerod, it will be treated as an END message. However, recovery is available. In the basic_parse_custom() message, you can set the end_signal_caught variable of the option_block to 0. In this case, it will not stop the daemon from running.
Enhancements:
- Currently, TCP support is somewhat experimental.
- Testing for that portion will be ongoing.
- No clear examples are provided.
- The examples/ directory contains the precursors to a MIP example.