PROJECT TITLE……(mention your project
title)
Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Requirments (s/w and hardware)
4. Technologies
5. System architecture
6. Source code
7. Output
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography
10.GitHub profile
ABSTRACT
This document outlines the design, development, and implementation of a local area
network (LAN) based chat application. In an increasingly interconnected world, there
remains a significant need for secure, private, and reliable communication methods that
do not depend on external internet connectivity. This project addresses this need by
providing a straightforward chat solution designed for confined network environments
such as offices, educational institutions, or home networks. The application facilitates
real-time text-based communication between users connected to the same local
network, ensuring data remains within the private infrastructure. This report details the
system's architecture, specifying both software and hardware prerequisites, enumerates
the core technologies utilized (primarily Python with its networking and GUI libraries),
and presents sample code for both server and client components. Furthermore, it
illustrates the application's operational output and concludes with a summary of its
capabilities and potential future enhancements.
INTRODUCTION
In an era dominated by cloud-based communication platforms and global internet
connectivity, the necessity for localized, offline communication solutions often goes
overlooked. However, for organizations, educational institutions, or individuals
concerned about data privacy, internet dependency, or operating in environments with
limited or no internet access, a local chat application presents an invaluable tool. Such
applications enable direct, peer-to-peer or client-server communication within a defined
local area network (LAN) without routing data through external servers or the public
internet.
A local chat application offers several distinct advantages. Firstly, it enhances security
and privacy by keeping all communication traffic confined within the private network
perimeter, significantly reducing exposure to external threats and surveillance.
Secondly, it ensures reliability and speed, as messages are exchanged directly between
devices on a high-speed local network, bypassing potential internet bottlenecks or
outages. This makes it ideal for critical internal communications where external internet
access might be unreliable or undesirable. Lastly, it provides a cost-effective solution,
eliminating the need for paid third-party services or subscriptions.
This document serves as a comprehensive guide to developing a foundational local
chat application. It aims to provide a clear understanding of the underlying principles,
necessary technical components, and practical implementation details. By walking
through the requirements, technology stack, system architecture, and providing
concrete code examples, this report intends to equip readers with the knowledge to
establish a robust and functional LAN-based communication system. The project
focuses on simplicity and clarity, using widely accessible and popular tools, primarily
Python, to demonstrate the core concepts effectively.
REQUIREMENTS
Hardware Requirements
• Processor (CPU): A modern multi-core processor such as Intel Core i3 (7th Gen
or newer) or AMD Ryzen 3 (1st Gen or newer) or equivalent is recommended for
both server and client machines. This ensures smooth execution of the
application and efficient handling of network communication and GUI rendering.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): A minimum of 4 GB RAM is required, with 8
GB or more recommended for optimal performance, especially when running
multiple client instances or in environments with other demanding applications.
• Storage: Approximately 100 MB of free disk space is sufficient for the application
files and any logs. Modern Solid State Drives (SSDs) are preferred for faster load
times, though a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is also acceptable.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): An active and functional Ethernet (wired) or Wi-
Fi (wireless) network adapter capable of connecting to a Local Area Network
(LAN) is mandatory for all machines participating in the chat. A 100 Mbps or
Gigabit Ethernet connection is ideal for reliable and fast data transfer.
Software Requirements
• Operating System: The application is designed to be cross-platform, compatible
with widely used operating systems.
– Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit versions).
– macOS: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer.
– Linux: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or newer, Fedora, Debian, or other popular
distributions.
• Python Interpreter: Python 3.8 or a newer version. It is crucial to have the
correct Python version installed and configured in the system's PATH.
• Required Python Libraries:
– socket: Built-in Python module for network communication (TCP/IP).
– threading: Built-in Python module for managing concurrent operations,
essential for handling multiple clients and non-blocking I/O.
– tkinter: Built-in Python module for creating the Graphical User Interface
(GUI). While optional for a command-line client, it significantly enhances
user experience.
• Text Editor or Integrated Development Environment (IDE):
– Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Highly recommended due to its rich
Python extension support.
– PyCharm Community Edition: A powerful IDE specifically designed for
Python development.
– Sublime Text, Atom, or Notepad++ can also be used.
TECHNOLOGIES
The development of this local chat application leverages a robust set of technologies,
primarily centered around Python's extensive standard library and its capabilities for
network programming and GUI development. The chosen technologies prioritize ease of
development, cross-platform compatibility, and efficiency for the specific use case of
LAN-based communication.
Programming Language: Python
Python is selected as the primary programming language due to its simplicity,
readability, extensive standard library, and cross-platform compatibility. Its rich
ecosystem facilitates rapid prototyping and development, making it an excellent choice
for network applications. Python's dynamic typing and high-level data structures
streamline the implementation of networking logic and message handling.
Networking: Sockets (TCP/IP)
The core of the application's communication relies on Python's built-in socket module,
which provides access to the Berkeley sockets API.
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): For reliable, connection-oriented
communication. TCP ensures that data packets are delivered in the correct
order, without loss or duplication, making it ideal for text-based chat where
message integrity is paramount. Both the server and client components establish
TCP connections to exchange messages.
• IP (Internet Protocol): Used for addressing and routing data packets across the
network. In a LAN environment, IP addresses are typically assigned by a router
or manually configured.
While UDP (User Datagram Protocol) could be considered for broadcast-based
discovery or real-time voice, TCP is the standard for chat applications due to its
guaranteed delivery.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) Framework: Tkinter
Tkinter is Python's standard GUI (Graphical User Interface) toolkit. It is a wrapper
around Tcl/Tk and comes bundled with most Python distributions, eliminating the need
for additional installations.
• Simplicity: Tkinter is relatively easy to learn and use for creating simple to
moderately complex GUIs.
• Cross-Platform: Applications built with Tkinter can run on Windows, macOS,
and Linux without modification.
• Built-in: Its inclusion in the standard library makes deployment simpler, as no
external dependencies are needed for basic GUI functionality.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The local chat application primarily adopts a centralized Client-Server model within the
Local Area Network (LAN). This architecture simplifies message broadcasting and client
management. While a peer-to-peer (P2P) model is also feasible for local chat, the
client-server approach is more straightforward for initial implementation, especially
concerning handling multiple recipients and ensuring message delivery.
Use Case Diagram :-
Sequence Diagram :-
System Architecture Diagram:-
(Explanation of Diagram…….)
SOURCE CODE
The following Python code snippets demonstrate the implementation of both the server
and client components for the local chat application. The server is responsible for
managing connections and broadcasting messages, while the client provides a simple
graphical interface for user interaction.
1. Server Code (server.py)
This script sets up a TCP server that listens for incoming client connections. For each
connected client, it creates a new thread to handle receiving messages from that client.
Any message received is then broadcasted to all other connected clients.
import socket
import threading
import datetime # For timestamping messages
# Server configuration
HOST = '0.0.0.0' # Listen on all available interfaces
PORT = 12345 # Port to listen on (arbitrary non-privileged port)
# List to keep track of connected clients
clients = []
clients_lock = threading.Lock() # To prevent race conditions when modifying
the clients list
def broadcast_message(message, sender_client=None):
"""Sends a message to all connected clients."""
with clients_lock:
for client_socket, client_address, client_username in clients:
if client_socket != sender_client: # Don't send back to sender
for simplicity, or include sender
try:
client_socket.sendall(message.encode('utf-8'))
except Exception as e:
print(f"[ERROR] Could not send message to
{client_address}: {e}")
remove_client(client_socket) # Attempt to remove
problematic client
def handle_client(client_socket, client_address):
"""Handles communication with a single client."""
client_username = f"User-{client_address[1]}" # Default username if not
provided
print(f"[INFO] New connection from {client_address}")
# First, receive the username from the client
try:
username_msg = client_socket.recv(1024).decode('utf-8')
if username_msg.startswith("USERNAME:"):
client_username = username_msg.split(":", 1)[1].strip()
print(f"[INFO] Client {client_address} identified as
'{client_username}'")
else:
print(f"[WARNING] Client {client_address} did not send a username
in expected format.")
except Exception as e:
print(f"[ERROR] Failed to receive username from {client_address}:
{e}")
remove_client(client_socket)
return
# Add client to the list
with clients_lock:
clients.append((client_socket, client_address, client_username))
# Announce new user
join_message = f"[{datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%H:%M:%S')}]
{client_username} has joined the chat."
print(join_message)
broadcast_message(join_message.encode('utf-8'), client_socket) # Announce
to others
try:
while True:
# Receive message from client
message = client_socket.recv(4096)
if not message:
break # Client disconnected
decoded_message = message.decode('utf-8')
timestamp = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%H:%M:%S')
formatted_message = f"[{timestamp}] {client_username}:
{decoded_message}"
print(formatted_message) # Print to server console
# Broadcast the message to all other clients
broadcast_message(formatted_message.encode('utf-8'))
except (ConnectionResetError, BrokenPipeError):
print(f"[INFO] Client {client_address} ({client_username})
disconnected unexpectedly.")
except Exception as e:
print(f"[ERROR] Error with client {client_address}
({client_username}): {e}")
finally:
remove_client(client_socket)
# Announce client departure
leave_message = f"[{datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%H:%M:%S')}]
{client_username} has left the chat."
print(leave_message)
broadcast_message(leave_message.encode('utf-8'), client_socket) #
Announce to others
def remove_client(client_socket_to_remove):
"""Removes a client from the active list."""
with clients_lock:
for i, (client_socket, _, _) in enumerate(clients):
if client_socket == client_socket_to_remove:
del clients[i]
break
try:
client_socket_to_remove.close()
except Exception as e:
print(f"[ERROR] Error closing socket: {e}")
def start_server():
"""Starts the main server listener."""
server_socket = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
server_socket.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1) #
Allow reuse of address
try:
server_socket.bind((HOST, PORT))
server_socket.listen(5) # Max 5 pending connections
print(f"[INFO] Chat server listening on {HOST}:{PORT}")
while True:
client_socket, client_address = server_socket.accept()
# Start a new thread to handle the client connection
client_handler = threading.Thread(target=handle_client,
args=(client_socket, client_address))
client_handler.daemon = True # Allow main program to exit even if
threads are running
client_handler.start()
except OSError as e:
if e.errno == 98: # Address already in use
print(f"[CRITICAL] Port {PORT} is already in use. Please choose
another port or ensure no other server instance is running.")
else:
print(f"[CRITICAL] Server startup error: {e}")
except KeyboardInterrupt:
print("\n[INFO] Server shutting down...")
finally:
print("[INFO] Closing server socket.")
server_socket.close()
if __name__ == "__main__":
start_server()
(Any one file in source code…)
OUTPUT :-
(paste each every screenshot of your project…)
CONCLUSION
This document successfully outlined the conceptualization, design, and practical
implementation of a local chat application designed for LAN-based communication. By
leveraging Python's robust networking capabilities (sockets) and its native GUI toolkit
(Tkinter), we demonstrated how to build a functional client-server chat system that
operates entirely within a private network.
The primary objective of providing a secure, private, and internet-independent
communication method for local environments has been met. The chosen architecture
ensures reliable message delivery through TCP/IP and manages concurrent client
interactions efficiently using Python's threading module. The provided sample code for
both the server and client components serves as a clear, ready-to-implement foundation
for anyone seeking to deploy a basic chat service within their local network.
The advantages of such an application are significant: enhanced data privacy and
security by containing all traffic within the LAN, reduced dependency on external
internet services, and improved communication reliability and speed within a localized
context. This makes it a valuable tool for scenarios such as internal team
communication, secure educational environments, or personal home networks where
privacy and control are paramount.
While the current implementation provides core chat functionalities, there are numerous
avenues for future enhancements. These include:
• Private Messaging: Allowing users to send messages directly to specific
individuals rather than broadcasting to all.
• Group Chat Management: Implementing channels or rooms for different
discussion topics.
• File Transfer: Enabling users to share files over the local network.
• User Authentication: Implementing a login system with usernames and
passwords for secure access.
• GUI Enhancements: Improving the user interface with more modern aesthetics
and features (e.g., emojis, user lists).
• Server Discovery: Automatically discovering the server on the LAN instead of
requiring manual IP input.
• Encryption: Adding end-to-end encryption for messages, even within the local
network, using libraries like `PyCryptodome`.
• Persistent Chat History: Storing chat logs on the server or client side.
• Error Handling and Robustness: More sophisticated error recovery, especially
for network interruptions.
• P2P Implementation: Exploring a fully decentralized peer-to-peer model for
distributed chat.
In conclusion, this project serves as a solid foundation for understanding and building
local network applications. It underscores the power and flexibility of Python in.
BIBILIOGRAPHY :-
• Python Software Foundation. (Current). Python 3 Documentation. Available at:
https://docs.python.org/3/
• Python Software Foundation. (Current). Socket Module Documentation. Available
at: https://docs.python.org/3/library/socket.html
• Python Software Foundation. (Current). Tkinter Documentation. Available at:
https://docs.python.org/3/library/tkinter.html
• Python Software Foundation. (Current). Threading Module Documentation.
Available at: https://docs.python.org/3/library/threading.html
• Beej's Guide to Network Programming. (Specific version/date varies). General
reference for socket programming concepts.
• Various online tutorials and articles on Python network programming and GUI
GITHUB PROFILE :-