Network Functions Documentation

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the available network functions within the MS framework. These functions are designed to facilitate complex network operations, data manipulation, and communication protocols.

Core Network Function Categories

The network functions are broadly categorized to streamline development and understanding. Each category encompasses a set of specialized tools:

• Data Transfer: Functions for sending and receiving data across various network protocols (HTTP, TCP, UDP).
• Protocol Handling: Utilities for parsing, constructing, and managing network protocols like DNS, TLS, and more.
• Network Discovery: Tools for identifying active hosts, services, and network topology.
• Security: Functions related to encryption, authentication, and secure communication channels.
• Monitoring & Diagnostics: Utilities for capturing network traffic, analyzing performance, and diagnosing issues.

Featured Network Functions

Here are some of the most commonly used and powerful network functions:

• http_request(url, method, headers, body)

  Initiates an HTTP request to a specified URL. Supports custom headers and request bodies, making it versatile for interacting with web services and APIs.

  Parameters:

  • url (string): The target URL.
  • method (string): HTTP method (e.g., "GET", "POST", "PUT", "DELETE").
  • headers (object, optional): Key-value pairs for request headers.
  • body (string/object, optional): The request payload.

  Returns:

  An object containing the response status code, headers, and body.

• tcp_listen(port, handler)

  Starts a TCP server listening on a specified port. A callback function handles incoming connections and data.

  Parameters:

  • port (number): The port to listen on.
  • handler (function): Callback function that receives a connection object.

  Returns:

  A server object that can be used to close the listener.

• dns_lookup(hostname)

  Resolves a hostname to its IP address using DNS.

  Parameters:

  • hostname (string): The hostname to resolve.

  Returns:

  An array of IP addresses associated with the hostname.

• send_udp_packet(address, port, data)

  Sends a UDP packet to a specified IP address and port.

  Parameters:

  • address (string): The destination IP address.
  • port (number): The destination port.
  • data (string/buffer): The data to send.

Advanced Network Operations

Beyond basic data transfer, our framework provides advanced capabilities:

TLS/SSL Integration

Securely establish communication channels using the built-in TLS functions. These functions handle certificate management and encryption protocols.

// Example of setting up a secure server
const tls = require('tls');
const server = tls.createServer({
    key: fs.readFileSync('server.key'),
    cert: fs.readFileSync('server.crt')
}, (stream) => {
    console.log('client connected', stream.remoteAddress);
    stream.write('Hello Client! ');
    stream.end();
});
server.listen(8000, () => {
    console.log('server bound');
});

Packet Capture and Analysis

Utilize powerful packet capture utilities to inspect network traffic in real-time or from pcap files. Analyze headers, payloads, and identify network anomalies.

Refer to the network_capture module for detailed API references.

Examples and Use Cases

Explore practical examples of how to leverage these functions:

• Building a simple web scraper using http_request.
• Implementing a custom chat application with tcp_listen and client connections.
• Creating a network scanner by combining dns_lookup and host probing techniques.
• Developing a real-time monitoring dashboard that consumes network metrics.

For detailed code examples and tutorials, please visit our Tutorials section (link placeholder).