[FIXED] How to connect my server to other machine using socket library in Python?

Issue

I am new to socket library and server side programming. I made 2 scripts which runs perfectly on my machine i.e. server.py and client.py. But when i test it on two different computers it doesn't worked.

What i want is to make my server.py file connected to client.py, where server.py will run on my machine and it will be connected to client.py on a separate machine at any location in the world.

I just know socket only. But if this problem can be solved by use of other library, then also it will be fine.

Here is my code:

server.py

import socket

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
host = socket.gethostbyname(socket.gethostname())
port = 12048

s.bind((host, port))

s.listen()
print("Server listening @ {}:{}".format(host, port))

while True:
    c, addr = s.accept()
    print("Got connection from", addr)

    c.send(bytes("Thank you", "utf-8"))

client.py

import socket

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
host = '192.168.1.162'  # The IP printed by the server must be set here
port = 12048

s.connect((socket.gethostname(), port))

msg = s.recv(1024)
print(msg.decode("utf-8"))

I don't know how it's possible but if it is then please answer this.

Also, i want to receive files from client.py to my machine. Is it possible in socket or i have to import any other library?

Any help will be appreciated.

Solution

The reason the client will only connect to the server running on the same computer is because you are using s.connect((socket.gethostname(), port)) instead of s.connect((host, port)). Your host IP variable is never being used. This error means that the client will be trying to connect to its own hostname, which would be itself, and so that is why it only works on one single computer.

You should modify client.py like this:

import socket

s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
host = '192.168.1.162'  # Make sure this is set to the IP of the server
port = 12048

s.connect((host, port))

msg = s.recv(1024)
print(msg.decode("utf-8"))

Now you will be able to connect to a server running on a different computer.

Answered By - Noah Broyles

Answer Checked By - Marilyn (PHPFixing Volunteer)