Piping Server: Infinite Data Transfer Over Pure HTTP

Introduction

Piping Server, developed by nwtgck, is an innovative open-source project designed for infinitely transferring data between any device over pure HTTP. It stands out for its simplicity, storageless architecture, and the ability to stream data efficiently. Whether you need to send a small text file or an endless stream of data, Piping Server provides a straightforward solution using common tools like curl or a web browser, eliminating the need for any special software installation. Its core principle is to act as a temporary pipe, connecting a sender and a receiver without ever storing the data on the server itself, ensuring privacy and security.

Installation

Getting Piping Server up and running is straightforward, whether you prefer Docker or portable binaries.

Using Docker

To run a Piping Server instance on http://localhost:8080 using Docker, execute the following command:

docker run -p 8080:8080 nwtgck/piping-server

For a server that runs in the background and automatically restarts, use:

docker run -p 8080:8080 -d --restart=always nwtgck/piping-server

Using Portable Binaries

You can also run Piping Server using portable binaries. For Linux (x64), download and run it as follows:

curl -L https://github.com/nwtgck/piping-server-pkg/releases/download/v1.12.0/piping-server-pkg-linuxstatic-x64.tar.gz | tar xzvf -
./piping-server-pkg-linuxstatic-x64/piping-server --http-port=8080

Portable binaries are available for multiple platforms, including Linux (x64, ARM64, ARMv7), Intel macOS, Apple Silicon macOS, and Windows (x64). For other platforms, refer to the official piping-server-pkg repository.

Examples

Piping Server's usage is incredibly simple, mirroring the concept of Unix pipes over HTTP.

Basic Data Transfer

To send data, pipe it to curl using a unique path (e.g., /hello):

echo 'hello, world' | curl -T - https://ppng.io/hello

To receive the data, curl the same path:

curl https://ppng.io/hello > hello.txt

The path /hello can be any string, acting as a rendezvous point for sender and receiver. The server supports both POST and PUT for sending data.

Streaming Infinite Data

One of Piping Server's most powerful features is its ability to stream infinite data. For example, you can transfer an endless text stream:

seq inf | curl -T - https://ppng.io/infinite-stream

And receive it on another device:

curl https://ppng.io/infinite-stream

Public Servers

Why Use Piping Server?

Piping Server offers several compelling advantages that make it a unique and powerful tool for data transfer:

Infinite Transfer: Stream any amount of data, from small files to continuous streams, efficiently in terms of both time and space.
Zero Installation: Requires only a web browser or curl, which are widely pre-installed, eliminating the need for extra software.
Storageless: The server never stores your data, enhancing privacy and security by acting purely as a conduit.
Purity over HTTP: Its reliance on pure HTTP makes integration with other software and systems straightforward.
Engineer Friendly: Designed with Unix/Linux users in mind, it integrates seamlessly with command-line tools and pipes.
Versatile Applications: Beyond simple file transfers, it enables complex real-time applications like screen sharing, chat, and even SSH/VNC over HTTP, demonstrating the power of its streaming capabilities.

The project's philosophy emphasizes simplicity and efficiency, making it a robust solution for diverse data communication needs.

Piping Server: Infinite Data Transfer Over Pure HTTP

Summary

Repository Information

Topics

Use at your own risk