Archive for August, 2007

PeerAware indexing with iFilters

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

PeerAware uses the iFilter interface for retrieving text content from files as it indexes shared files.

As long as there is an iFilter for a file, PA will be able to retrieve the text content just like any desktop search engine. In fact, the iFilter interface is also used by MSN Desktop Search.

You can install additional iFilters if you would like to expand PeerAware’s capabilities. http://www.ifilter.org/ maintains a list of free filters. Others can be purchased from http://www.ifiltershop.com/products.html.

Finally, as you install software packages, they will often install their own filters as part of the installation process.

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UPnP

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is an architecture for peer-to-peer network connectivity. One of the most important features is the support for automatic service discovery. PeerAware (PA) uses this mechanism for discovering workspaces running on the local network. When a new workspace is started, PA users nearby will automatically discover this and display the workspace on the start page.

How it works is quite simple: Each PA service instance registers a workspace list device that is announced on the local network, and stores a list of active workspaces on the computer. Each PA client instance will search the network for PA workspace list devices and retrieve the list of active workspaces from each. Workspaces discovered are displayed in the local list on the start page.

PA will also use UPnP for controlling IGD compatible devices. Internet Gateway Devices (IGD) like ADSL modems and wireless access points are automatically configured for NAT traversal if UPnP is enabled for the gateway device.

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Beta 4

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

Summer is over, and my coding sessions on PeerAware (PA) are getting more intense. With the latest release I focused on general stability issues and running the workspace as a service. I run my two test workspaces on a dual core rig, and I have XP set to receive Windows updates automatically. That ensures that my system is as protected as possible, but previously that led to the workspaces shutting down when the update routine did a reboot of the computer. And since I normally start PA as I log into my account that meant that the workspace remained closed until I logged on again the next morning. Since the security updates keep trickling out of Redmond, running a workspace as a service is essential for operating a stable network.

Two workspaces are active on my computer, one for general discussion of PA, and the other for playing Texas Hold’em Poker. Both are on the list of workspaces visible when you start PeerAware. You can play poker or chat, but file sharing is disabled.

The latest release also add the concept of presence to PeerAware. You have the option of setting your online status to ‘Online’, ‘Away’ and so on like in most IM systems. Status is visible if you hover over a user in the workspace user list.

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