|
Unity 2 Multiuser Server (U2MS) is a server-side Java application for developing and deploying multiuser applications. Unity 2 Multiuser Server has several audiences:
- For the Custom Flash App Developer
If you're creating custom multiuser applications for Adobe's Flash platform, you should use Unity 2 Multiuser Development Kit, which includes Unity 2 Multiuser Server and UClient for Flash.
- For the Custom Non-Flash App Developer
If you're creating custom multiuser client applications for a non-Flash platform, you should use Unity 2 Multiuser Server on its own. You do not need Unity 2 Multiuser Development Kit unless you are creating Flash client applications.
- For the Website Owner
If you want to put a ready-made Unity 2 App Pack (such as Unity uMiniChat) on your site, but don't intend to develop your own custom applications, you'll need to either run Unity 2 Multiuser Server on your site or rent service from a hosting company. For details, see the Unity 2 App Packs page.
- Minimum Pentium II, 400Mhz or equivalent processor
- Java 1.3 or higher running on Unix, Macintosh OSX, or Windows
- Ability to bind to a port
Unity 2 Multiuser Server pricing and ordering information is available here.
Unity 2 Multiuser Server is designed as a "run and forget" application. Starting the server typically involves only three simple steps: 1) Download, 2) Unzip, 3) Execute Start Script. For many installations, little or no configuration is required. When configuration is required, a single XML file allows complete control over the server behavior (see example here).
You don't have to be a Java developer to run Unity 2 Multiuser Server. You just have to have Java 1.3 (or higher) installed and set up to run applications. If you don't know whether your service provider will let you run Unity 2 Multiuser Server, or if you own Unity 2 Multiuser Server and have any trouble with it, you can email unity@moock.org. We'll make sure you get it running.
Unity 2 Multiuser Server provides extreme flexibility for server-side application developers and rugged stability for deploying multiuser applications. Unity 2 Multiuser Server's key features are:
- Stress tested and stable.
- Intuitive room-based architecture and event model (onRoomInit(), onAddClient() etc).
- Built-in XML messaging protocol.
- Store persistent server, room, and client attributes to a database or the file system.
- Exhaustive logs for debugging.
- Supports any socket-based client application, including Java, Flash (see UClient for Flash), C++, etc.
- Ridiculously customizable and extensible. Change or extend any part of the server, including:
- communication protocol (XML or otherwise)
- rooms and room behavior
- security model
- database and storage facilities
- client services, room services, namespace services, server services
- even integrate your own custom services
- Easy to use configuration file (see example), allowing definition of:
- admin password
- server port
- rooms and room attributes
- server attributes
- end of message character
- maximum users
- custom services
- custom attribute storage class
- client-side room creation and removal permissions
Once Unity 2 Multiuser Server is running, you can manage it and get live updates on performance and connections via a web-based administration tool, uAdmin. Features offered by uAdmin are:
- Stop/restart server
- Kick user
- Ban user
- Vital statistics
- Current memory use
- Current users connected
- Total user connections to date
- Visual tree of rooms and users
- User attribute list
- Room attribute list
Here's a look at the uAdmin in action.
If you're a developer, you're probably more at home in documentation and code than a product page. We, therefore, invite you to continue learning about Unity 2 Multiuser Server using the following links:
If you have any questions, feel free to contact unity@moock.org.
|
