cTubes overview

cTubes is an information-technology and communication (ITC) platform to create solutions for data and information management, sharing and processing within a user community. cTubes solutions can seamlessly switch among single user operation, multiuser direct data sharing (peer-to-peer) and multiuser server based mode.

Versions: cTubes is available in desktop and server versions. Desktop versions include Open reader, Network, Network PRO and Developer alternatives of the cTubes. They are all built on the same technology. With cTubes it is possible to build up data-publishing and collection networks, company internal or spanning the Internet.

Scalability: each application instance based on cTubes can act as a replication server for other nodes nearby. This means that there is no high performance central server infrastructure required - the network itself takes care of data distribution. Essentially this means that there is no limit to the size of a cTubes network.

Data updates: cTubes nodes find each other on internal networks and over the Internet by a variety of means. Replication always happens within cTubes of the same origin, only participants having specific tubes (databases) can take part in this specific replication. This process is optimized so that only changes are transferred in both directions. Normally replication takes effect without further configuration. For specific applications the ideal replication topology can be chosen by simple configuration of user groups and their respective replication partners.

Desktop use: cTubes generates index files (for sort, filter and grouping) on the fly, depending on user actions. Unused index files are automatically discarded to avoid overhead. Index files are kept as long as they are regularly used. This automatic index files generation is very helpful - the user can freely work with the data, without caring about technicalities like pre-defining indices. Whatever the environment, cTubes is designed to make the best use of available computing resources; the more memory is available, the faster it becomes.

Replication: replication runs in the background and is completely transparent for the user. The desktop versions are optimized for best response on the user interface, the server versions for concurrent replication with many other instances. Resource use for server versions can be fine-tuned for best performance and coexistence with other processes, they also support load sharing if needed. Compared to distribution of complete files, a 'changes-only' replication normally reduces overall network traffic.

Wireless connections: in today's mobile world, it is common that network connections can disconnect anytime. The replication will simply continue next time.