CONИ3CT

CONИ3CT is a multi video conferencing application built to provide low-latency communication that uses Selective Forwarding Unit (SFU) technology, it offers a scalable alternative to traditional Mesh WebRTC architectures.

🚀 Features

• SFU Architecture: Efficient media routing that reduces client-side bandwidth and CPU usage.
• Real-time Video/Audio: Media streaming with synchronized state management.
• Persistent Room Logic: Join unique rooms with custom usernames and instant peer discovery.
• Dynamic UI: Responsive video grid that scales based on the number of active participants.
• Secure Authentication: Integrated Google Identity Services (GIS).

🏗️ Backend Design & Working

Unlike standard WebRTC where users send data to every other user (Mesh), CONИ3CT uses a Selective Forwarding Unit (SFU) powered by mediasoup.

1. Signaling: A Node.js + Socket.io server handles the initial "handshake" and room logic.
2. Transport Creation: When a user joins, the server creates WebRTC Transports for sending and receiving media.
3. Producers & Consumers: When you join the room and getLocalMediaStream, you become a Producer. The server then creates Consumers for every other participant, forwarding your single stream to everyone else efficiently.
4. State Sync: The backend tracks active producers and manages cleanup automatically when users disconnect to prevent "ghost" streams.

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Frontend: React.js,CSS
• Backend: Node.js, Express
• Real-time Signaling: Socket.io
• Media Server: Mediasoup (SFU)
• Languages: JavaScript (ES6+), C++ (via Mediasoup worker)
• Authentication: GIS Services
• Database: MongoDB

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💻 Local Setup Guide

1. Prerequisites

Because mediasoup compiles C++ code during installation, you must have the following installed:

• Node.js: v16 or higher.
• Python: v3.7 or higher.
• C++ Build Tools:
  • Windows: Visual Studio Build Tools (Desktop development with C++).
  • Mac: xcode-select --install
  • Linux: sudo apt-get install build-essential python3

2. Backend Setup

1. Clone the Repository

# Using SSH
git clone git@github.com:rohIta-k/connect.git

# OR using HTTPS
git clone https://github.com/rohIta-k/connect.git

cd connect

2. Navigate to the server directory

   cd backend

3. Install Dependencies
```bash
npm install

4. Create Backend Environment Variables

PORT=3001
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret
FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:5173
GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID=your_google_client_ID
SESSION_SECRET=your_session_secret
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string

5. Run the Server Run the app with Node:

node server.js

6. Install Frontend dependencies

cd ..
npm install

7. Create Frontend Environment Variable

VITE_SERVER_URL=http://localhost:3001

8. Run the Frontend

npm run dev