Network Programming and Python
Summary
In the first part of this chapter, we looked at the essentials of networking with
TCP/IP. We discussed the concept of network stacks, and looked at the
principle protocols of the Internet protocol suite. We saw how IP solves the
problem of sending messages between devices on different networks,
and how TCP and UDP provide end-to-end transport between applications.
In the second section, we looked at how network programming is generally
approached when using Python. We discussed the general principle of using
modules that interface with services as far up the network stack as we can manage.
We also discussed where we might find those modules. We looked at examples
of employing modules that interface with the network stack at different layers to
accomplish a simple network task.
Finally, we discussed some common pitfalls of programming for TCP/IP networks
and some steps that may be taken to avoid them.
This chapter has been heavy on the networking theory side of things. But, now
it's time to get stuck into Python and put some application layer protocols to
work for us.