CODEWITHSUNDEEP
google-chromefirefoxgoogle-chrome-extensionfirefox-addonfirefox-addon-webextensions
Logioniz
Logioniz

Reputation: 891

TCP server in WebExtension

Is there a way to start the TCP server that will listen port using Firefox WebExtension? I know that exist way to start server with XUL/XPCOM extension, but it is obsolete and will not be supported (deprecated) from November 2017. The same question interests and about google chrome.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1316

Answers (2)

JamesTheAwesomeDude
JamesTheAwesomeDude

Reputation: 1052

Not yet.

With the removal of XPCOM, add-ons access to UDP and TCP sockets will disappear, which will cause problems for a number of add-ons.
– Adam Roach

This is being tracked at Firefox bug FF#1435798 (libdweb):

  • Open
  • Type: enhancement
  • The actual TCP and UDP components are each Priority: P3 (Backlog)

It's been discussed and everyone seems to like the idea.

if somebody is motivated to work on this, sketching out a design that meets the requirements outlined above would be the first step.

we are all for a well thought out API and that's the next step for someone to take on.

You can keep an eye on their progress for it, or lend a hand, at the Git repo.

Of course, as the other answerer notes, a native host / buddy software component is the only workaround at this time; you've got to run some kind of privileged/native code to open sockets until or unless libdweb gets released.

Upvotes: 1

Xan
Xan

Reputation: 77541

No, a Chrome Extension / Firefox WebExtension cannot open a socket to listen.

However, you could have a separate Native Host component that does it for you. It will need to be installed separately.

Upvotes: 1

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