Interprocess Communication in Computer Networks

• Interprocess communication (IPC) is an essential aspect of computer networking, as it enables different processes running on different machines to exchange data and coordinate their activities. IPC allows processes to communicate with each other, share resources, and synchronize their operations to achieve a common goal. There are various techniques for IPC in computer networks, including message passing, shared memory, and remote procedure calls.

• Message passing is a widely used IPC technique, where processes exchange messages over a network. A sender process sends a message to a receiver process, which then processes the message and sends a reply. This technique is useful when processes need to communicate with each other asynchronously and do not require a shared memory space.

• Shared memory is another IPC technique that enables processes to share a portion of their memory space. Shared memory allows processes to access the same data, which can be useful for implementing synchronization between processes or exchanging data quickly. However, shared memory requires careful management to prevent data conflicts and ensure data consistency.

• Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) are a third technique for IPC, where a client process can invoke a procedure or function on a remote server process. RPC is useful when processes need to perform complex tasks that require access to multiple resources or services. RPC can be used to implement distributed systems, where different machines cooperate to perform a common task.

• Overall, IPC is essential for computer networking as it enables processes to work together and share resources. Different IPC techniques have different advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of IPC method depends on the specific requirements of the application.