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Socket Send

This block sends data through an established socket connection. Use it for TCP/IP communication with remote servers or devices.

Socket Send Block

Overview​

The Socket Send block transmits data over TCP/IP socket connections, enabling custom protocol implementations and direct network communication.

Configuration​

  • Socket Connection: Which socket connection to use
  • Data: Message or data to send
  • Format: Text, binary, or hex encoding

Data Format​

Send data in various formats:

Text/String​

Plain text messages with encoding (UTF-8, ASCII)

Binary​

Raw binary data for efficient protocols

Hexadecimal​

Hex-encoded data for debugging and specific protocols

Use Cases​

Common socket send scenarios:

  • Send Modbus TCP requests
  • Custom protocol commands
  • Database queries
  • API requests
  • Device control commands
  • Binary file transfers

Message Preparation​

Prepare data before sending:

  • Format strings with variables
  • Construct binary packets
  • Calculate checksums
  • Add protocol headers
  • Encode data appropriately

Buffer Management​

Socket send buffers data:

  • Automatic buffering for large messages
  • Non-blocking operation
  • Queue management
  • Flow control

Error Handling​

Handle send failures:

  • Connection closed: Reconnect required
  • Buffer full: Wait or reduce send rate
  • Timeout: Check network latency
  • Format error: Verify data encoding

Use On Socket Event to monitor errors.

Performance​

Optimize socket transmission:

  • Batch small messages
  • Use binary format for efficiency
  • Monitor buffer usage
  • Implement flow control

Protocol Implementation​

Implement custom protocols:

  1. Connect to remote server
  2. Send protocol handshake
  3. Wait for response
  4. Send commands/queries
  5. Process responses
  6. Close connection when done

Security​

Secure socket communication:

  • Use TLS/SSL sockets
  • Validate server certificates
  • Encrypt sensitive data
  • Implement authentication

See Also​