Hello, need a little advice from you ATLAS / AJAX gurus.

I am writing a chat application and want to employ these technologies. I have seen some simple examples [on various sites] where a timer is used and the server is polled by the client every second (or whatever interval) to get the latest messages, etc.. for the chat session.

The chat text box is updated via AJAX so that no form post is necessary, and that’s a good thing. However, my application needs to support a potentially large number of clients. Having each client poll the server on a given interval would create too much unnecessary network traffic – so here’s the big question…

Is it a reasonable goal to build an application using this technology where events are generated on the server when new messages are posted – then the server is able to ‘broadcast’ to any registered client? I realize this doesn’t correspond with basic internet fundamentals but after seeing the CallBack, OnComplete, etc.. I was hoping for a plausible AJAX solution that would support up to 10000 clients.

Any advice is appreciated; thanks in advance.

Your probably going to want to use client / server technology very loosely here.  My recomendation would be to use a combined form of Ajax / Asp.net 2.0 and a client side ActiveX control paired with a server executeable that extends your database.

The essence of what happens is, the database is updated by a client submit, the extended exe notifies through sockets, the clients registered to recieve broadcasts (loged on) , using the client side ActiveX object as the recieving end of that, then you use that even to tell Ajax it needs to update.

Getting 10,000 page refereshes to your DB every second isnt that attractive, especially if 30 to 40% of the time, nothing is new.

Hi Freakyuno, i just searching for something like Bill E wants, but i just don't know from where start!

Have you can indicate any start point? Like a tutorial, website, examples, cause searching in the forum there's a lot of users with that exactly same doubts and just don't no from where start too.

If you can me bring some light about the 'start point' of your answer i will be very very gratfull.

THANKS IN ADVANCE, SO MUCH!

Kalel

Give this resource a shot, it may get you started.

http://www.codeproject.com/Ajax/UChat.asp

Thanks Brian! Your tip was great, and visiting the article I maded a searching in the Code Project Site and found this another articles very interesting too for this issue.

The links:

Create a Chat system of using Ajax and asp.net

Simple Chat asp.net + Ajax

A Sample Chat Application using Mike Schwarz's AJAX Library

We are discussing about it in another thread too, and i'm trying join all the related content is possible for all are looking for too, so i'll post your tip there too and have sure that your contribuition you'll be very helpfull.

The thread is this: http://forums.asp.net/thread/1373404.aspx

So If you found something more please, join us and post in the thread.

Thanks so much!

Kalel