C H A P T E R 1

About Network Setup

Figure 1-4Structure of the Network Setup Library

Network Setup aware applications

High-level framework

Mid-level database (OTCfg)

Network Setup extension

Low-level database (Cfg)

Legacy

Synchronization

module

As shown in Figure 1-4, the Network Setup library is divided into four key components:

The low-level database, which is an internal component of the Network Setup Extension file. The low-level database contains the core database manipulation engine. It knows nothing about networking — it just moves bits around. The low-level database is not visible to developers except insofar as its prefix (“Cfg”) is used by some Network Setup identifiers.

The mid-level database, which is the actual programming interface exported to developers. Its routine names start with “OTCfg”. The mid-level database passes most requests directly to the low-level database, which actually executes the request and manipulates the database. The mid-level database also interfaces with the legacy synchronization module.

The legacy synchronization module, which in combination with the mid-level database, ensures that the database is synchronized with the legacy preferences files. This module will be removed in a future version of Network Setup. See “Legacy Synchronization Algorithm” (page 22) for more information about legacy file synchronization.

Most users of the Network Setup programming interface use a high-level framework to assist them in their task. Apple software uses an Apple-internal C++ framework for this. This framework is statically linked into software like the Network Setup Scripting application. Third-party developers commonly use the MoreNetworkSetup framework, available as sample code.

Inside the Network Setup Library

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Apple manual 4Structure of the Network Setup Library