1. What is P2P File Transfer?

P2P File Transfer is a multi-browser add-on that lets you easily send and receive files between two or more peers. Simply exchange a 6-digit token between peers and start transferring files. In this app, the sender creates a token and the receiver uses that token to connect with the sender. Once the connection is initiated with the WebSocket technology, the app uses WebRTC to find peers and make a private channel to send and receive files. For the WebSocket connection, the app uses https://replit.com/ - a cloud application hosting platform. You can find the server code in the GitHub repo, located in the server folder. If you want to change this server to a different one, please click on the settings button at the top-left corner and then add a server address and related token in the designated areas. For the WebRTC connections, this app uses three public stun servers: stun.mit.de, stun.l.google.com, and stun.services.mozilla.com. Please read below to get more info about this extension and how it works.

2. How can I work with P2P File Transfer addon?

To work with the P2P File Transfer add-on, please open the app on two different machines on which you want to send and receive files. On one machine press the SENDER button and on the other, the RECEIVER button. Copy the 6-digit number from the sender machine to the receiver machine (designated input area) and press the JOIN button. Once the connection between these two peers is established, you will see a blue circle with an orange plus sign in the middle of the interface. This is where you can drag and drop or browse a file to transfer. Once you drop a file in this area, the transfer operation begins and both peers see the related information about this transfer, including file name, transfer speed, and the remaining time to finish the transfer. By default, once the file transfer is finished, it will be downloaded to the receiver machine (default download location) automatically. But you can change this behavior from the settings pane. Please note that, after a few minutes of inactivity, if there is no transfer, the connection between peers will be lost and you need to reload the app and initiate the connection again.

3. How can I download the source code for P2P File Transfer?

To download the source code for this extension from Chrome Web Store, it is recommended to use Extension Source Downloader. With this addon, you can download the source code as a ZIP or CRX format to your machine. If you want to download the source code from the Firefox addons store, please open the firefox download link (if available) in the Firefox browser and then right-click on the - Add to Firefox - button and select - Save Link As... - item. Choose the destination folder on your machine and then save the file in XPI format. You can then rename the XPI format to a RAR or ZIP file. Some extensions may have a GitHub repo address, which you can use to download the source code as well. But, it may not be the latest version of the addon. Therefore, downloading the source code from the official web stores is the best option as it always gives you the latest version of the addon.

4. What is WebRTC?

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a web technology that enables real-time communication between two or peers (i.e. web browser, mobile app, etc.). It allows users to have audio, video, and data-sharing capabilities without requiring any additional plugins or software installations. At its core, WebRTC provides a set of protocols and APIs that allow peers to establish direct p2p connections. This means that users can communicate directly with each other without the need for intermediate servers or infrastructure. WebRTC brings several benefits to users and developers. Firstly, it simplifies the process of adding real-time communication capabilities to web and mobile applications. Secondly, WebRTC offers low latency and high-quality data transmission. By leveraging peer-to-peer connections, the communication data takes a direct path between users, reducing delays and ensuring a more responsive and immersive experience. Moreover, WebRTC is designed with privacy and security in mind. It incorporates encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect communication channels from unauthorized access and eavesdropping. This ensures that sensitive information remains confidential during real-time communication sessions.

5. What is WebSocket?

WebSocket is a communication protocol that enables full-duplex communication between a client and a server over a single, long-lived connection. It provides a persistent and bi-directional channel that allows real-time data exchange between peers (i.e. web browsers, applications, or servers). The WebSocket protocol operates over a single TCP connection, providing a low-latency and lightweight solution for real-time applications. It eliminates the need for constant polling or frequent HTTP requests, reducing unnecessary network overhead and improving overall performance. WebSocket has a wide range of applications. It is commonly used in real-time web apps that require instant updates and continuous data exchange, collaborative tools, real-time dashboards, and multiplayer online games. As mentioned above, this app uses WebSocket technology to find and connect peers (handshake operations).

6. How can I change the WebSocket server?

To change the WebSocket server, please first find a cloud platform that supports WebSocket connections. Then, write a WebSocket server similar to the one available here. Once the server is ready, please add the server URL and token in the app (within the settings sidebar). Now, the app will use the new WebSocket server to initiate the communications for WebRTC streams.

7. Is there any options or setting page available for this addon?

No, all the settings and options are placed in the app UI. Please note that all the changes are auto-saved to the memory by default.

8. Can I open P2P File Transfer interface in toolbar popup or a new tab?

No, currently the app UI can only be opened in a standalone window. In future versions, support for the - new tab - will be added.

9. Where can I find the privacy policy for P2P File Transfer?

Please read the privacy policy for this extension here.