Chapter 6: Conclusion 

5.1.      Conclusion

The Interactive Secure Communication system aimed to provide users with various means of communication, including message exchange, file transfer, and voice conferencing. The developed system can be used by companies as a low-cost alternative solution to the typical telecommunication systems.

 The developed system consists of three primary subsystems that are distributed amongst the system modules. These subsystems are: the ISC Message Exchange Subsystem, the ISC File Transfer Subsystem, and the ISC Voice Conferencing Subsystem. Each of the subsystems performs a specific task to provide service(s) to authorised users. As ISC was intended to be a distributed application, it was designed an implemented based on the client/server model.

 A significant characteristic of the application is the selection of Java as the programming language with which it was developed. Throughout the design phase, the demand for full portability of the application was considered crucial. That is, the application should be able to be executed independently of the workstation of the user. In order to achieve what was mentioned above and to build a user-friendly tool, Java was selected. With the use of Java, the developed application may run over any platform, as long as the Java Virtual Machine is supported by the platform.

 Prior to implementing the ISC system, the system design phase took place. The design phase provided a suitable architecture within the system requirements. However, during the design phase, frequent feedback from individuals was taken into account in order to satisfy users’ needs.

 As mentioned earlier, the ISC system was developed based on object oriented concepts by using Java as the programming language. During the system implementation, Java capabilities of networking were used to enable the system modules to communicate amongst each other. In addition, ISC commands were defined in order to provide sessions control, such as: creating ISC sessions, adding and removing users from a session.

 It is worth mentioning that many aspects in the implementation phase had to be learned, such as the Java Media Framework package and the Real-Time Transfer Protocol functions, in order to accomplish the project goal.

 5.2.      Problems Encountered

The implementation task for system was carried out with some problems encountered. However, most of the problems faced were overwhelmed with the help of the intensive research that was carried out. Furthermore, the only major problem, which caused the implementation phase to stop, occurred during the implementation of the ISC Voice Conferencing Subsystem.

 This problem rose as the voice system was designed based on the Java Media Framework that is not supported by the programming tool that was used for the implementation of the client application. However, this problem can be overcome by using an alternative programming tool, other than Symantec Visual Café.

 In addition, if no other alternative is found, some improvements could be added to the new system design that is identified in the Implementation Chapter (6.2). Although, most of the implementation of the proposed system is completed (using both of JBuilder and Visual Café), the implemented segments could not be merged together to act as a single system since Visual Café is unable to support the required JMF libraries.

5.3.      Results and Performance

ISC modules were tested on Windows XP system with 256RAM, Pentium III 1G MHZ processor. Loading time of the client application is around 5 seconds. However, the time required for loading a private or file transfer session is not noticeable. In addition, the server application was successfully tested with over 40 users connected to the application. Generally speaking, the system modules performed what was expected.

 5.4.      Future Enhancements

As for future enhancements, the following features, which were not proposed to be implemented in this project, may improve the function and performance of the application:

 o             Enable the incorporation of video data.

o             Enable multiple users to join a private session.

o             Enable users to establish multiple file transfer session concurrently.

o             Provide users with an online registration mechanism.

o             Enable users to run the application as an Applet, if desired.

o             More sophisticated graphical user interface, e.g. animation.

 Overall, the project was an opportunity to show my understanding of the development of network programming, as well as, an indication of my ability to apply them on a real-world software development project. It also demonstrates my ability to use Java classes and techniques, including I/O, networking, and multi-threading, to implement such a system and my ability to put into practice the skills, tools, and techniques that I have learned throughout this BSc course. Finally, it shows my ability to conduct research in the subject matter.