diff -r 000000000000 -r 64ded911540b branches/gmyth-0.1b/src/gmyth_socket.c
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/branches/gmyth-0.1b/src/gmyth_socket.c	Thu Feb 08 22:03:26 2007 +0000
@@ -0,0 +1,1082 @@
+/**
+ * GMyth Library
+ *
+ * @file gmyth/gmyth_socket.c
+ * 
+ * @brief <p> MythTV socket implementation, according to the MythTV Project
+ * (www.mythtv.org). 
+ * 
+ * This component provides basic socket functionalities to interact with
+ * the Mythtv backend.
+ * <p>
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2006 INdT - Instituto Nokia de Tecnologia.
+ * @author Rosfran Lins Borges <rosfran.borges@indt.org.br> 
+ *
+ *//*
+ * 
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
+ */
+
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include "config.h"
+#endif
+
+#include "gmyth_socket.h"
+
+#include <glib.h> 
+#include <glib/gprintf.h>
+
+#include <arpa/inet.h>
+#include <sys/types.h>
+#include <sys/socket.h>
+#include <sys/param.h>
+#include <netdb.h>
+#include <net/if.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <netinet/in.h>
+#include <fcntl.h>
+#include <signal.h>
+
+#include <sys/ioctl.h>
+
+#include "gmyth_stringlist.h"
+#include "gmyth_uri.h"
+#include "gmyth_debug.h"
+
+#define BUFLEN 				   	512
+#define MYTH_SEPARATOR 			    	"[]:[]"
+#define MYTH_PROTOCOL_FIELD_SIZE		8
+
+/* max number of iterations */
+#define MYTHTV_MAX_VERSION_CHECKS		40
+
+// FIXME: put this in the right place
+#define  MYTHTV_VERSION_DEFAULT			30
+
+static GStaticMutex mutex = G_STATIC_MUTEX_INIT;
+
+static gchar* local_hostname = NULL;
+
+static void gmyth_socket_class_init          (GMythSocketClass *klass);
+static void gmyth_socket_init                (GMythSocket *object);
+
+static void gmyth_socket_dispose  (GObject *object);
+static void gmyth_socket_finalize (GObject *object);
+
+G_DEFINE_TYPE(GMythSocket, gmyth_socket, G_TYPE_OBJECT)
+
+static void
+gmyth_socket_class_init (GMythSocketClass *klass)
+{
+    GObjectClass *gobject_class;
+
+    gobject_class = (GObjectClass *) klass;
+
+    gobject_class->dispose  = gmyth_socket_dispose;
+    gobject_class->finalize = gmyth_socket_finalize;	
+}
+
+static void
+gmyth_socket_init (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket)
+{
+	
+	/* gmyth_socket->local_hostname = NULL; */
+	
+}
+
+/** Gets the some important address translation info, from the client socket
+ * that will open a connection.
+ * 
+ * @return gint that represents the error number from getaddrinfo(). 
+ */
+static gint
+gmyth_socket_toaddrinfo (const gchar *addr, gint port, struct addrinfo **addrInfo )
+{
+    struct addrinfo hints;
+    gchar *portStr = NULL;
+    gint errorn = EADDRNOTAVAIL;
+ 
+    g_return_val_if_fail ( addr != NULL, -1 );
+    g_debug ("Calling %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
+
+    /* hints = g_malloc0 ( sizeof(struct addrinfo) ); */
+    memset ( &hints, 0, sizeof(struct addrinfo) );
+    hints.ai_family = AF_INET;
+    hints.ai_socktype = SOCK_STREAM;
+    /* hints.ai_flags = AI_NUMERICHOST; */
+    
+    if ( port != -1 )	
+        portStr = g_strdup_printf ( "%d", port );
+    else
+	portStr = NULL;
+
+    gmyth_debug ("Getting name resolution for: %s, %d\n", addr, port);
+
+    if ( ( errorn = getaddrinfo(addr, portStr, &hints, addrInfo) ) != 0 ) {
+		g_printerr( "[%s] Socket ERROR: %s\n", __FUNCTION__, gai_strerror(errorn) );
+    }
+    g_free (portStr);
+    /* g_free (hints); */
+    return errorn;
+}
+
+static gint
+gmyth_socket_find_match_address_uri( GMythURI* uri, gchar *address ) {
+
+        if ( g_ascii_strcasecmp( gmyth_uri_get_host( uri ), address ) == 0 ) {
+                //g_printerr( "Found URI: %s !!!\n", rui_uri_getvalue(uri) );
+                return 0;
+        } else {
+                return -1;
+        }
+
+}
+
+static const gchar *PATH_PROC_NET_DEV = "/proc/net/dev";
+
+/** Gets the list of all local network interfaces (using the /proc/net/dev directory).
+ * 
+ * @param current_connections	A list with all the network interfaces are valid, 
+ * 		to be applied just like a filter.
+ * @return List with all the local net interfaces. 
+ */
+static GList *
+gmyth_socket_get_local_addrs( GList *current_connections )
+{
+
+	GList *local_addrs = NULL;
+	FILE *fd;
+	gint s;
+	gchar buffer[256+1];
+	gchar ifaddr[20+1];
+	gchar *ifname;
+	gchar *sep;
+	
+	s = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM, 0);
+	if (s < 0)
+		return 0;
+	fd = fopen(PATH_PROC_NET_DEV, "r");
+	fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer)-1, fd);
+	fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer)-1, fd);
+	while (!feof(fd)) {
+		ifname = buffer;
+		sep;
+		if (fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer)-1, fd) == NULL)
+			break;
+		sep = strrchr(buffer, ':');
+		if (sep)
+			*sep = 0;
+		while (*ifname == ' ')
+			ifname++;
+		struct ifreq req;
+		strcpy(req.ifr_name, ifname);
+		if (ioctl(s, SIOCGIFFLAGS, &req) < 0)
+			continue;
+		if (!(req.ifr_flags & IFF_UP))
+			continue;
+		if (req.ifr_flags & IFF_LOOPBACK)
+			continue;
+		if (ioctl(s, SIOCGIFADDR, &req) < 0)
+			continue;
+		g_strlcpy( ifaddr, inet_ntoa(((struct sockaddr_in*)&req.ifr_addr)->sin_addr), sizeof(struct ifaddr)-1 );
+		local_addrs = g_list_append( local_addrs, g_strdup( ifaddr ) );
+
+		gmyth_debug( "( from the /proc/net/dev) Interface name: %s, address: %s\n", 
+								ifname, ifaddr );
+	}
+	fclose(fd);
+	close(s);
+	return local_addrs;
+
+}
+
+
+/**
+ * Get only the local addresses from the primary interface
+ */
+static gchar *
+gmyth_socket_get_primary_addr()
+{
+	
+	gchar *if_eth0 = g_new0( gchar, sizeof(struct ifaddr)-1 );
+	GList *if_tmp = NULL;
+	
+	GList *interfs = gmyth_socket_get_local_addrs( NULL );
+	
+	if ( interfs != NULL && ( g_list_length( interfs ) > 0 ) ) 
+	{
+		/* get the first occurrence (primary interface) */
+		if_tmp = g_list_first( interfs );
+		
+		if ( if_tmp != NULL )
+			g_strlcpy (if_eth0, (gchar *)if_tmp->data, sizeof(struct ifaddr)-1 );
+
+	}
+	
+	if ( interfs != NULL )
+		g_list_free( interfs );
+	
+	return if_eth0;
+}
+
+/** This function retrieves the local hostname of the 
+ * client machine.
+ *
+ * @return GString* get local hostname.
+ */
+GString *
+gmyth_socket_get_local_hostname  ()
+{
+
+    char hname[50];
+    gint res = gethostname (hname, 50);
+
+    if (res == -1) {
+	g_debug ("Error while getting hostname");
+	return NULL;
+    }
+
+    return g_string_new (hname);
+    
+#if 0	
+    GString *str = NULL;
+    
+    if ( local_hostname != NULL && strlen(local_hostname) > 0 )
+    	return g_string_new( local_hostname );
+
+    gchar *localaddr = NULL; 
+    gboolean found_addr = FALSE;
+    struct addrinfo* addr_info_data = NULL, *addr_info0 = NULL;
+    struct sockaddr_in* sa = NULL;
+    gchar localhostname[MAXHOSTNAMELEN];
+
+
+    if (gethostname (localhostname, MAXHOSTNAMELEN) != 0 ) {
+    	gmyth_debug ( "Error on gethostname" );
+    }
+    localhostname[MAXHOSTNAMELEN-1] = 0;
+
+    gint err = gmyth_socket_toaddrinfo (localhostname, -1,  &addr_info_data );
+    
+    if ( err == EADDRNOTAVAIL )
+    {
+    	g_warning( "[%s] Address (%s) not available. (reason = %d)\n", __FUNCTION__, localhostname, err );
+    	return str;
+    }
+    
+    g_static_mutex_lock( &mutex );    	
+
+    addr_info0 = addr_info_data;
+
+    while( addr_info0 != NULL && addr_info0->ai_addr != NULL && 
+	    ( sa = (struct sockaddr_in*)addr_info0->ai_addr ) != NULL && !found_addr ) {
+    	localaddr = inet_ntoa( sa->sin_addr );
+
+	    if ( localaddr != NULL && ( g_strrstr( localaddr, "127" ) == NULL ) ) {
+	        str = g_string_new (localaddr);
+	        found_addr = TRUE;
+		g_free (localaddr);
+	        break;
+	    }
+/*
+	    if (localaddr != NULL) {
+		g_free (localaddr);
+		localaddr = NULL;
+	    }
+	    */
+
+	    addr_info0 = addr_info0->ai_next;
+    };
+    
+    freeaddrinfo (addr_info_data);
+    addr_info_data = NULL;
+    
+    if ( found_addr == FALSE ) {
+        gchar *prim_addr = gmyth_socket_get_primary_addr();
+
+    	if ( prim_addr != NULL ) {
+		g_warning("[%s] Could not determine the local alphanumerical hostname. Setting to %s\n",
+    	        __FUNCTION__, prim_addr );
+      
+	        str = g_string_new (prim_addr);
+	        g_free (prim_addr);
+    	} else {
+        	str = g_string_new (localhostname);
+    	}
+    }
+
+    g_static_mutex_unlock (&mutex);
+    
+    if ( str != NULL && str->str != NULL )
+    	local_hostname = g_strdup( str->str );
+
+    return str;
+#endif    
+}
+
+static void
+gmyth_socket_dispose  (GObject *object)
+{
+    GMythSocket *gmyth_socket = GMYTH_SOCKET(object);
+
+    /* disconnect socket */
+    gmyth_socket_close_connection (gmyth_socket);
+
+    g_free (gmyth_socket->hostname);
+    gmyth_socket->hostname = NULL;
+    
+    g_free (local_hostname);
+    
+    local_hostname = NULL;
+
+    G_OBJECT_CLASS (gmyth_socket_parent_class)->dispose (object);
+}
+
+static void
+gmyth_socket_finalize (GObject *object)
+{
+    g_signal_handlers_destroy (object);
+
+    G_OBJECT_CLASS (gmyth_socket_parent_class)->finalize (object);
+}
+
+/** Creates a new instance of GMythSocket.
+ * 
+ * @return a new instance of GMythSocket.
+ */
+GMythSocket*
+gmyth_socket_new ()
+{
+    GMythSocket *gmyth_socket = GMYTH_SOCKET (g_object_new(GMYTH_SOCKET_TYPE, NULL));
+
+    gmyth_socket->mythtv_version = MYTHTV_VERSION_DEFAULT;
+
+    return gmyth_socket;
+}
+
+/** Try to open an asynchronous connection to the MythTV backend.
+ * 
+ * @param fd 			Socket descriptor.
+ * @param remote 	Remote address.
+ * @param len 		Newly created socket length field.
+ * @param timeout	Timeval argument with the time interval to timeout before closing.
+ * @param err			Error message number.
+ * @return Any numerical value below 0, if an error had been found.
+ */
+static gint 
+gmyth_socket_try_connect ( gint fd, struct sockaddr *remote, gint len,
+               struct timeval *timeout, gint *err)
+{
+	  /*g_return_val_if_fail( timeout != NULL, 0 );*/	  
+	  gint saveflags, ret, back_err;
+	  
+	  fd_set fd_w;
+	
+	  saveflags = fcntl( fd, F_GETFL, 0 );
+	  if( saveflags < 0 ) {
+	    g_warning( "[%s] Problems when getting socket flags on fcntl.\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err=errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* Set non blocking */
+	  if( fcntl( fd, F_SETFL, saveflags | O_NONBLOCK ) < 0) {
+	  	g_warning( "[%s] Problems when setting non-blocking using fcntl.\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err=errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* This will return immediately */
+	  *err= connect ( fd, remote, len );
+		back_err=errno;
+	
+		/* restore flags */
+	  if( fcntl( fd, F_SETFL, saveflags ) < 0) {
+	    g_warning( "[%s] Problems when trying to restore flags with fcntl.\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err=errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* return unless the connection was successful or the connect is
+	     still in progress. */
+	  if( *err < 0 && back_err != EINPROGRESS) {
+	    g_warning( "[%s] Connection unsucessfully (it is not in progress).\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err = errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  FD_ZERO( &fd_w );
+	  FD_SET( fd, &fd_w );
+	
+	  *err = select( FD_SETSIZE, NULL, &fd_w, NULL, timeout);
+	  if ( *err < 0 ) {
+	    g_warning( "[%s] Connection unsucessfull (timed out).\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err=errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* 0 means it timeout out & no fds changed */
+	  if(*err==0) {
+	    close(fd);
+	    *err=ETIMEDOUT;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* Get the return code from the connect */
+	  len = sizeof( ret );
+	  *err=getsockopt( fd, SOL_SOCKET, SO_ERROR, &ret, (socklen_t *) &len);
+	  
+	  if( *err < 0 ) {
+	    g_warning( "[%s] Connection usnsucessfull.\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+	    *err=errno;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  /* ret=0 means success, otherwise it contains the errno */
+	  if (ret) {
+	    *err=ret;
+	    return -1;
+	  }
+	
+	  *err=0;
+	  return 0;
+}
+
+/** Connects to the backend.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param hostname The backend hostname or IP address.
+ * @param port The backend port.
+ * @return TRUE if success, FALSE if error.
+ */
+
+
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_connect (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket,
+	const gchar *hostname, gint port)
+{
+    return gmyth_socket_connect_with_timeout (gmyth_socket,
+		    hostname, port, 0);
+}
+
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_connect_with_timeout (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket,
+	const gchar *hostname, gint port, guint timeout)
+{
+    struct addrinfo *addr_info_data = NULL, *addr_info0 = NULL;
+    gint ret_code = -1;
+    gint errno;
+    gboolean ret = TRUE;
+
+    gmyth_debug ("CONNECTING %s:%d", hostname, port);
+
+    if ( hostname == NULL )
+        gmyth_debug ( "Invalid hostname parameter!\n");
+
+    /* store hostname and port number */
+    if (gmyth_socket->hostname != NULL) {
+        //g_free (gmyth_socket->hostname);
+        gmyth_socket->hostname = NULL;
+    }
+
+    errno = gmyth_socket_toaddrinfo ( hostname, port, &addr_info_data );
+
+    g_return_val_if_fail( addr_info_data != NULL && hostname != NULL, FALSE );
+
+    gmyth_socket->hostname = g_strdup( hostname );
+    gmyth_socket->port = port;
+
+    for ( addr_info0 = addr_info_data; addr_info0; addr_info0 = addr_info_data->ai_next ) {
+        /* init socket descriptor */
+        gmyth_socket->sd = socket( addr_info0->ai_family, addr_info0->ai_socktype,
+                         addr_info0->ai_protocol );
+
+        if ( gmyth_socket->sd < 0 )
+            continue;
+
+        struct timeval *timeout_val = g_new0 (struct timeval, 1);
+	if (timeout != 0) {
+	    /*timeout_val = g_new0 (struct timeval, 1);*/
+	    
+            timeout_val->tv_sec = timeout;
+            timeout_val->tv_usec = 0;
+	} else {
+            timeout_val->tv_sec = 5;
+            timeout_val->tv_usec = 100;
+	}
+        
+        if (gmyth_socket_try_connect (gmyth_socket->sd, (struct sockaddr *)addr_info0->ai_addr,
+                addr_info0->ai_addrlen, timeout_val, &ret_code ) < 0 )
+        {
+            g_printerr( "[%s] Error connecting to backend!\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+            if (ret_code == ETIMEDOUT)
+                g_printerr( "[%s]\tBackend host unreachable!\n", __FUNCTION__ );
+
+            close (gmyth_socket->sd);
+            gmyth_socket->sd = -1;
+            g_printerr ("ERROR: %s\n", gai_strerror(ret_code));
+	    g_free (timeout_val);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+	g_free (timeout_val);
+
+        /* only will be reached if none of the error above occurred */
+        break;
+    }
+
+    freeaddrinfo (addr_info_data);
+    addr_info_data = NULL;
+
+    if (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch != NULL) {
+        g_io_channel_unref (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch);
+        gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch = NULL;
+    }
+
+    gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch = g_io_channel_unix_new (gmyth_socket->sd);
+    
+    //GIOFlags flags = g_io_channel_get_flags (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch);
+		/* unset the nonblock flag */
+		//flags &= ~G_IO_FLAG_NONBLOCK;
+		/* unset the nonblocking stuff for some time, because GNUTLS doesn't like
+		 * that */
+		//g_io_channel_set_flags (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, flags, NULL);
+
+    ret = ( ret_code == 0 ) ? TRUE : FALSE ;
+    return ret;
+}
+
+/** Gets the GIOChannel associated to the given GMythSocket.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ */
+GIOChannel *
+gmyth_socket_get_io_channel( GMythSocket *gmyth_socket )
+{
+    g_return_val_if_fail( gmyth_socket != NULL, NULL );
+
+    return gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch;
+}
+
+/** Verifies if the socket is able to read.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @return TRUE if the socket is able to read, FALSE if not.
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_is_able_to_read( GMythSocket *gmyth_socket )
+{
+    gboolean ret = TRUE;
+
+    /* verify if the input (read) buffer is ready to receive data */
+    GIOCondition io_cond = g_io_channel_get_buffer_condition( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch );
+
+    if ( ( io_cond & G_IO_IN ) == 0 ) {
+	g_warning ("[%s] IO channel is not able to send data!\n", __FUNCTION__);
+	ret = FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return ret;
+
+}
+
+/** Verifies if the socket is able to write.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @return TRUE if the socket is able to write, FALSE if not.
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_is_able_to_write( GMythSocket *gmyth_socket )
+{
+    gboolean ret = TRUE;
+
+    /* verify if the input (read) buffer is ready to receive data */
+    GIOCondition io_cond = g_io_channel_get_buffer_condition( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch );
+
+    if ( ( ( io_cond & G_IO_OUT ) == 0 ) || ( ( io_cond & G_IO_HUP ) == 0 ) ) {
+	g_warning ("[%s] IO channel is not able to send data!\n", __FUNCTION__);
+	ret = FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return ret;
+
+}
+
+/** Sends a command to the backend.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket the GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param command The string command to be sent.
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_send_command(GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, GString *command) 
+{
+    gboolean ret = TRUE;
+
+    GIOStatus io_status = G_IO_STATUS_NORMAL;
+    //GIOCondition io_cond;
+    GError* error = NULL;
+   
+    
+    gchar *buffer = NULL;
+
+    gsize bytes_written = 0;
+
+    if( command == NULL || ( command->len <= 0 ) || command->str == NULL ) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Invalid NULL command parameter!\n", __FUNCTION__);
+		ret = FALSE;
+		goto done;
+    }
+
+    //g_static_mutex_lock( &mutex );
+    gmyth_debug ("Sending command to backend: %s\n", command->str);
+
+    buffer = g_strnfill( BUFLEN, ' ' );
+    g_snprintf( buffer, MYTH_PROTOCOL_FIELD_SIZE+1, "%-8d", command->len);
+
+    command = g_string_prepend(command, buffer);
+
+    /* write bytes to socket */    
+    io_status = g_io_channel_write_chars( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, command->str, 
+	    command->len, &bytes_written, &error );
+
+
+    if( (io_status == G_IO_STATUS_ERROR) || ( bytes_written <= 0 ) ) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Error while writing to socket", __FUNCTION__);
+		ret = FALSE;
+    } else if ( bytes_written < command->len ) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Not all data was written socket", __FUNCTION__);
+		ret = FALSE;
+    }
+
+    io_status = g_io_channel_flush( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, &error );
+
+    if ( ( bytes_written != command->len ) || ( io_status == G_IO_STATUS_ERROR ) )
+    {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Some problem occurred when sending data to the socket\n", __FUNCTION__);
+	
+		ret = TRUE;
+    }
+
+    //g_static_mutex_unlock( &mutex );
+done:
+    if ( error != NULL ) {
+		g_printerr( "[%s] Error found reading data from IO channel: (%d, %s)\n", __FUNCTION__, error->code, error->message );
+		ret = FALSE;
+		g_error_free( error );
+    }
+
+    if ( buffer!= NULL )
+		g_free( buffer );
+
+    return ret;
+}
+
+/** Starts Mythtv protocol level connection. Checks Mythtv protocol version
+ * supported by the backend and send the "ANN" command.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket the GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param hostname_backend The backend hostname or IP address.
+ * @param port The backend port to connect.
+ * @param blocking_client A flag to choose between blocking and non-blocking
+ * @param with_events	Sets the connection flag to receive events.
+ * 										backend connection. 
+ */
+static gboolean
+gmyth_socket_connect_to_backend_and_events (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, 
+	const gchar *hostname_backend, gint port, gboolean blocking_client,
+	gboolean with_events)
+{
+    if (!gmyth_socket_connect (gmyth_socket, hostname_backend, port)) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Could not open socket to backend machine [%s]\n", __FUNCTION__,
+					hostname_backend );
+		return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if ( gmyth_socket_check_protocol_version (gmyth_socket) ) {
+
+	GString *result;
+	GString *base_str = g_string_new("");
+	GString *hostname = NULL;
+
+	hostname = gmyth_socket_get_local_hostname();
+	if (hostname == NULL) {
+	    g_debug ("Hostname not available, setting to n800frontend\n");
+	    hostname = g_strdup ("n800frontend");
+	}
+
+	g_string_printf(base_str, "ANN %s %s %u", 
+		(blocking_client ? "Playback" : "Monitor"),
+		hostname->str, with_events);
+
+	gmyth_socket_send_command (gmyth_socket, base_str);
+	result = gmyth_socket_receive_response (gmyth_socket);
+
+	if (result != NULL) {
+	    gmyth_debug ("Response received from backend: %s", result->str);
+	    g_string_free (result, TRUE);
+	}
+
+	g_string_free (hostname, TRUE);
+	g_string_free (base_str, TRUE);
+
+	return TRUE;
+    } else {
+	g_warning ("[%s] GMythSocket could not connect to the backend", __FUNCTION__);	
+	return FALSE;
+    }
+}
+
+/** Starts Mythtv protocol level connection. Checks Mythtv protocol version
+ * supported by the backend and send the "ANN" command.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket the GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param hostname_backend The backend hostname or IP address.
+ * @param port The backend port to connect.
+ * @param blocking_client A flag to choose between blocking and non-blocking 
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_connect_to_backend (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, 
+	const gchar *hostname_backend, gint port, gboolean blocking_client)
+{
+    if (!gmyth_socket_connect_to_backend_and_events ( gmyth_socket, hostname_backend, port,
+    		blocking_client, FALSE) ) {
+		gmyth_debug ("Could not open socket to backend machine [%s]\n",
+					hostname_backend );
+		return FALSE;
+    }
+    
+    return TRUE;
+
+}
+
+/** Starts Mythtv protocol level connection. Checks Mythtv protocol version
+ * supported by the backend and send the "ANN" command.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket the GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param hostname_backend The backend hostname or IP address.
+ * @param port The backend port to connect.
+ * @param blocking_client A flag to choose between blocking and non-blocking 
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_connect_to_backend_events (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, 
+	const gchar *hostname_backend, gint port, gboolean blocking_client)
+{
+    if (!gmyth_socket_connect_to_backend_and_events ( gmyth_socket, hostname_backend, port,
+    		blocking_client, TRUE) ) {
+		gmyth_debug ("Could not open socket to backend machine in order to receive events [%s]\n",
+					hostname_backend );
+		return FALSE;
+    }
+    
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+/** Closes the socket connection to the backend.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ */
+void
+gmyth_socket_close_connection (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket)
+{
+    close (gmyth_socket->sd);	
+    gmyth_socket->sd = -1;
+
+    if (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch != NULL) {
+        g_io_channel_unref (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch);
+        gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch = NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+
+/** Try the MythTV version numbers, and get the version returned by
+ * the possible REJECT message, in order to contruct a new
+ * MythTV version request.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param mythtv_version The Mythtv protocol version to be tested
+ * 
+ * @return The actual MythTV the client is connected to.
+ */
+gint
+gmyth_socket_check_protocol_version_number (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, gint mythtv_version)
+{
+    GString *response = NULL;
+    GString *payload = NULL;
+    gboolean res = TRUE;
+    gint mythtv_new_version = MYTHTV_CANNOT_NEGOTIATE_VERSION;
+    guint max_iterations = MYTHTV_MAX_VERSION_CHECKS;
+
+try_new_version:
+    payload = g_string_new ("MYTH_PROTO_VERSION");
+    g_string_append_printf( payload, " %d", mythtv_version );
+
+    gmyth_socket_send_command(gmyth_socket, payload);
+    response = gmyth_socket_receive_response(gmyth_socket);
+
+    if (response == NULL) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Check protocol version error! Not answered!", __FUNCTION__);
+		res = FALSE;	
+		goto done;
+    }
+
+    res = g_str_has_prefix (response->str, "ACCEPT");
+    if (!res) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Protocol version request error: %s", __FUNCTION__, response->str);
+	/* get the version number returned by the REJECT message */
+	if ( ( res = g_str_has_prefix (response->str, "REJECT") ) == TRUE ) {
+        gchar *new_version = NULL;
+	    new_version = g_strrstr( response->str, "]" );
+	    if (new_version!=NULL) {
+		++new_version; /* skip ']' character */
+		if ( new_version != NULL ) {
+		    gmyth_debug ( "[%s] got MythTV version = %s.\n", __FUNCTION__, new_version );
+		    mythtv_version = (gint)g_ascii_strtoull (new_version, NULL, 10 );
+		    /* do reconnection to the socket (socket is closed if the MythTV version was wrong) */
+		    gmyth_socket_connect( gmyth_socket, gmyth_socket->hostname, gmyth_socket->port );
+            new_version =NULL;
+		    if ( --max_iterations > 0 ) 
+		    	goto try_new_version;
+		    else
+		    	goto done;
+		}
+	    }
+	}
+    }
+    
+    /* change the return value to a valid one */
+    if ( res ) {
+    	mythtv_new_version = mythtv_version;
+    	gmyth_socket->mythtv_version = mythtv_new_version;
+    }
+
+done:
+    if ( payload != NULL )
+		g_string_free (payload, TRUE);
+    if ( response != NULL )
+		g_string_free (response, TRUE);
+
+    return mythtv_new_version;
+}
+
+/** Verifies if the Mythtv backend supported the GMyth supported version.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @return TRUE if supports, FALSE if not.
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_check_protocol_version (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket)
+{
+    return ( ( gmyth_socket->mythtv_version = 
+    		gmyth_socket_check_protocol_version_number ( gmyth_socket, 
+    							MYTHTV_VERSION_DEFAULT ) ) != MYTHTV_CANNOT_NEGOTIATE_VERSION );
+}
+
+/** Returns the Mythtv backend supported version.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @return The actual MythTV version number.
+ */
+gint
+gmyth_socket_get_protocol_version (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket) 
+{
+	return gmyth_socket->mythtv_version;
+}
+
+/** Receives a backend answer after a gmyth_socket_send_command_call ().
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @return The response received, or NULL if error or nothing was received.
+ */
+GString*
+gmyth_socket_receive_response(GMythSocket *gmyth_socket)
+{
+    GIOStatus io_status = G_IO_STATUS_NORMAL;
+    GError* error = NULL;
+    gchar *buffer;
+
+    GString *str = NULL;
+
+    gsize bytes_read = 0;
+    gint  len = 0;
+    GIOCondition io_cond = g_io_channel_get_buffer_condition (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch);
+
+    g_return_val_if_fail( gmyth_socket != NULL, NULL );
+
+    /* verify if the input (read) buffer is ready to receive data */
+
+    //g_static_mutex_lock( &mutex );
+
+    //buffer = g_new0 (gchar, MYTH_PROTOCOL_FIELD_SIZE);
+    buffer = g_strnfill (MYTH_PROTOCOL_FIELD_SIZE, ' ');
+    io_status = g_io_channel_read_chars (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, buffer, MYTH_PROTOCOL_FIELD_SIZE, &bytes_read, &error);
+
+    /* verify if the input (read) buffer is ready to receive data */
+    io_cond = g_io_channel_get_buffer_condition (gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch);
+
+    gmyth_debug ( "[%s] Bytes read = %d\n", __FUNCTION__, bytes_read );
+
+    if( (io_status == G_IO_STATUS_ERROR) || (bytes_read <= 0) ) {
+		g_warning ("[%s] Error in mythprotocol response from backend\n", __FUNCTION__);
+		str = NULL;
+		//return NULL;
+    } else {
+
+		io_status = g_io_channel_flush( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, &error );
+		/* verify if the input (read) buffer is ready to receive data */
+		io_cond = g_io_channel_get_buffer_condition( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch );
+	
+		//if ( ( io_cond & G_IO_IN ) != 0 ) {
+            //gchar *buffer_aux = NULL;
+
+		    /* removes trailing whitespace */
+		    //buffer_aux = g_strstrip (buffer);
+		    len = (gint)g_ascii_strtoull ( g_strstrip (buffer), NULL, 10 );
+
+            if (buffer != NULL) {
+                g_free (buffer);
+                buffer = NULL;
+            }
+            
+            /*            
+            if (buffer_aux != NULL) {
+                g_free (buffer_aux);
+                buffer_aux = NULL;
+            }
+            */
+
+            buffer = g_new0 (gchar, len+1);
+	
+		    bytes_read = 0;
+		    io_status = g_io_channel_read_chars( gmyth_socket->sd_io_ch, buffer, len, &bytes_read, &error);
+		    buffer[bytes_read] = '\0';
+		//}
+    }  
+
+    //g_static_mutex_unlock( &mutex );
+
+    gmyth_debug ("Response received from backend: {%s}\n", buffer);
+
+    if ( ( bytes_read != len ) || ( io_status == G_IO_STATUS_ERROR ) )
+		str = NULL;
+    else
+		str = g_string_new (buffer);
+
+    if ( error != NULL ) {
+		g_printerr( "[%s] Error found receiving response from the IO channel: (%d, %s)\n", __FUNCTION__, error->code, error->message );
+		str = NULL;
+		g_error_free (error);
+    }
+
+    g_free (buffer);
+    return str;
+}
+
+/** Format a Mythtv command from the str_list entries and send it to backend.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param str_list The string list to form the command
+ * @return TRUE if command was sent, FALSE if any error happens.
+ */
+gboolean
+gmyth_socket_write_stringlist(GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, GMythStringList* str_list)
+{
+
+    GList *tmp_list = NULL;
+    GPtrArray *ptr_array = NULL;
+    gchar *str_array = NULL;
+
+    g_static_mutex_lock( &mutex );
+
+    ptr_array = g_ptr_array_sized_new (g_list_length(str_list->glist));
+
+    // FIXME: change this implementation!
+    tmp_list = str_list->glist;
+    for(; tmp_list; tmp_list = tmp_list->next) {
+	if ( tmp_list->data != NULL ) {
+	    g_ptr_array_add(ptr_array, ((GString*)tmp_list->data)->str);
+	} else {
+	    g_ptr_array_add (ptr_array, "");
+	}
+    }
+    g_ptr_array_add(ptr_array, NULL); // g_str_joinv() needs a NULL terminated string
+
+    str_array = g_strjoinv (MYTH_SEPARATOR, (gchar **) (ptr_array->pdata));
+
+    g_static_mutex_unlock( &mutex );
+
+    gmyth_debug ( "[%s] Sending socket request: %s\n", __FUNCTION__, str_array );
+
+    // Sends message to backend	
+    // TODO: implement looping to send remaining data, and add timeout testing!    
+    GString *command = g_string_new(str_array);
+    gmyth_socket_send_command(gmyth_socket, command);
+    g_string_free (command, TRUE);
+
+    g_free (str_array);
+    g_ptr_array_free (ptr_array, TRUE);
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+/* Receives a backend command response and split it into the given string list.
+ * 
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param str_list the string list to be filled.
+ * @return The number of received strings.
+ */
+gint
+gmyth_socket_read_stringlist (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, GMythStringList* str_list)
+{
+    GString *response;
+    gchar **str_array;
+    gint i;
+
+    response = gmyth_socket_receive_response(gmyth_socket);
+    g_static_mutex_lock( &mutex );
+
+    gmyth_string_list_clear_all (str_list);	
+    str_array = g_strsplit (response->str, MYTH_SEPARATOR, -1);
+
+    for (i=0; i< g_strv_length (str_array); i++) {
+	gmyth_string_list_append_char_array (str_list, str_array[i] );
+    }
+    g_static_mutex_unlock( &mutex );
+
+    g_string_free (response, TRUE);
+    g_strfreev (str_array);
+
+    return gmyth_string_list_length (str_list);
+}
+
+/** Formats a Mythtv protocol command based on str_list and sends it to
+ * the connected backend. The backend response is overwritten into str_list.
+ *
+ * @param gmyth_socket The GMythSocket instance.
+ * @param str_list The string list to be sent, and on which the answer 
+ * will be written.
+ * @return TRUE if command was sent and an answer was received, FALSE if any
+ * error happens.
+ */
+gint
+gmyth_socket_sendreceive_stringlist (GMythSocket *gmyth_socket, GMythStringList *str_list)
+{
+    gmyth_socket_write_stringlist (gmyth_socket, str_list);
+
+    return gmyth_socket_read_stringlist (gmyth_socket, str_list);
+}