Network programming can often seem intimidating due to the low-level nature of socket APIs. However, once you grasp the fundamentals, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in your .NET toolkit. This session provides a hands-on, practical introduction to socket programming in C#, focusing on the essentials of the TCP/IP stack and its relationship with the Socket, TcpClient, and TcpListener classes in .NET.

You will learn how to create a basic server and client from scratch, send and receive data, and manage connection lifecycles using both synchronous and asynchronous operations. Woody will also explore how these foundational elements can be used to build essential network features, such as chat applications or IoT command relays. Additionally, you will learn how to handle disconnections and exceptions gracefully.

Whether your goal is to develop real-time systems, enable peer-to-peer communication, or gain a solid understanding of what occurs beneath higher-level abstractions, this talk will provide you with the clarity and confidence to start building with sockets today.

Key Takeaways:
• Understand how the TCP/IP stack maps to your C# socket code.
• Learn how to create TCP clients and servers using .NET’s networking APIs.
• See how to manage multiple clients concurrently with basic socket patterns.
• Appreciate the difference between low-level sockets and high-level abstractions.

Target Audience:
C# developers with basic experience in .NET looking to understand network communication fundamentals and build their first low-level networked application.