SCC311 Coursework Part 1 Specification

Due: Friday Week 3 through Moodle
Marking: Your assigned Lab session Week 4
Total mark allocation: 20%

The goal of this exercise is to build a simple client-server setup that invokes a method using Java
RMI. You will develop both the client and the server.
Level 1: Invocation (12%)
Build a server that offers this exact interface, listening on the default port 1099:
public AuctionItem getSpec(int itemId, int clientId) throws RemoteException;

This returns the details of an auctioned item that has the identifier itemId. The clientId is like a
username to be used for authorisation in further versions of the coursework. The return type
AuctionItem is for you to define, but below is a suggested structure.
int itemId
String itemTitle
String itemDescription
You might want to extend this structure to add other variables, such as item condition (new / used),
etc. especially in the remainder of the coursework. You need to be able to justify your decisions.

You also need to build a very simple client that invokes the above method on the server using RMI,
and render the return values to be displayed on screen. A basic text-based client is all we ask for.
You could develop a GUI if you wish, but there will be no extra credit awarded.

Tip: Do not forget to start the RMI registry when running your code.
Level 2: Encryption (8%) - If achieved, no need to attempt Level 1
Implement logic to encrypt communications. You need to do this using AES keys, not passwords.
To achieve this, use SealedObject, a mechanism that allows you to encrypt and decrypt objects.
public SealedObject getSpec(int itemId, SealedObject clientRequest) throws
RemoteException;
The modified interface (above) will take an item ID and a sealed (i.e. encrypted) “client request” (a
class that just includes clientId and is Serializable) as its arguments, and returns a sealed
server response that encapsulates an AuctionItem. The client needs to display the decrypted
response. You will need to generate and manage your own keys; see KeyGenerator.
Marking Scheme
Level 1
Client invocation and display 3 marks
Server interface 3 marks
Management of listing data on server 3 marks
Answer in-lab questions 3 marks
Level 2
Key creation and use 2 marks
Create client request 3 marks
Decrypt sealed server response 3 marks