HP 9000 Networking XTI Programmer's Guide
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What is XTI
What is XTI
The X/Open Transport Interface (XTI) provides a programmatic interface to
the transport layer protocol over an OSI or a TCP/UDP network.
XTI calls enable two or more processes on the same or different computers to:
• Establish a transport connection
• Exchange (send and receive) data
• Shutdown the connection
An analogy may be drawn between the usage of XTI calls and the usage of
the telephone. A transport endpoint is roughly analogous to a telephone
handset with multiple buttons or extensions.
• Establishing Connections:
• To establish a connection, or initiate a telephone call requires the caller to
choose an extension and dial the destination phone number.
• The passive side “listens” for this connection request much like the
destination party “listens” for the phone to ring.
• A telephone connection is established when the listening party picks up the
telephone receiver and exchanges “Hellos” with the calling party.
• Exchanging Data:
The conversation between the two parties is analogous to the exchange of data.
• Shutdown the Connection:
When the parties have finished their conversation, they exchange “good byes”
and then hang up, which is analogous to XTI calls requesting a disconnect,
acknowledging the disconnect, and shutting down the connection.