Attempt at networking in C++ with a classic chess game. Tested with gcc(9.3.0) on linux.
Huge thanks to OneLoneCoder (JavidX9) and his video series on Networking in C++ using ASIO. The Networking module of this project has been inspired from his olcPixelGameEngine.
And Bryan Ford for his amazing paper on NAT Traversal techniques.
Download and Install ASIO from here or from Boost C++ library. or check your package manager for easier setup. Make sure Qt is installed and properly configured. (preferably Qt 6.1.3)
Clone the repository. Navigate to repo directory. Type the following commands in terminal :
mkdir Build && cd Build
cmake ..
cmake --build .
You might have to edit CMakeLists.txt in order to get it working.
Once you've built the executables, you're ready to start playing!
The ChessNet-server is the host side of the game. Use it to host the game.
The Server-side application sets up the game and waits for the opponent to connect.
The ChessNet-client is the client side of the game. Use it to connect to a game and start playing.
The Client-side asks for the IP address, connects and starts the game if IP is valid and is accepting connections.
Note :
Both IPv4 and IPv6 are supported. However, due to some problems explained below, prefer IPv6. Connecting over global network might be troublesome. I believe this has to do with NAT and its shortcomings to provide a proper P2P connection. It's tedious and annoying so I'll probably add a better alternative sometime later. Probably.. Things I have in mind :
- Hole Punching and other NAT traversal algorithms
Till then, use port forwarding to forward port 60000 to your server side machine.
OR, Just disable NAT on server side networks and use IPv6.
- Game never ends
- I killed the king
- would like a clock that ticks down the seconds you have left
- Game logic is not perfect
- Need a parity check to ensure valid game states between the two players.
- Gotta make Spectator mode, and something to simplify connections?
IPv6 only for now. DNS issues with IPv4. Will sort that out.Multiple clients on same machine will conflict. Need to find a way to check foreground terminal window.