About the Grouping API

The Peer Grouping API combines the technology of the PNRP Name Space Provider API and the Graphing API. Grouping adds the following two pieces of technology:

• A multiplexing layer that allows multiple applications to use one graph, one port, and one record database.
• Security that ensures only peers invited to a group can join and connect throughout the lifetime of a group.

Grouping provides an accessible and easy approach to peer networking because of the straightforward call flow and secure messaging. This API utilizes PNRP for group discovery and a standard PKI-based security provider instead of requiring a developer to implement one. However, if your application demands greater flexibility in terms of security options, consider using the Graphing API.

The following table identifies the topics in this Grouping API section:

Topic	Description
How to Work With Groups	Describes the call flow in a Peer Grouping application from startup to shutdown.
How Group Security Works	Describes how peer group membership and data exchanges are secured.
Inviting a Peer to a Group	Describes the process by which peers are invited and added to a peer group.
How to Connect to a Peer Group	Describes how a peer connects to and interacts with a peer group.
Managing Group Records	Describes peer group records and how to manage them as a member and as an administrator.

 

Note

Applications using the Grouping API in an environment with a firewall require exception groups that cover the port specific to the application, as well as port '3587-TCP' for the Grouping API and port '3540-UDP' for PNRP. These exception groups should be enabled whenever the application is running.