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Using SwitchKit API

SwitchKit application developers require the SwitchKit API to allow their application to connect to the LLC. Sample applications are provided for guidance and review. Additionally, UNIX makefiles and Microsoft Visual Studio® project workspaces are included in the installation. These examples provide information on necessary libraries that are required for all SwitchKit applications.

For the UNIX operating environments, SwitchKit API is available in two sets of libraries: standard SK API and threadsafe SK API. Both APIs offer the same basic functionality to the application developer, with one major difference. The standard SK API allows single- threaded applications to be developed to connect to the LLC. The threadsafe SK API allows multi-threaded applications to be developed to connect to LLC. For maximum flexibility in application functionality today and in the future, it is recommended that all new development occur on the threadsafe SK API.

All SK API libraries are found in the SK_LIB_DIR\lib directory. See Development Libraries (1-5).

Solaris

If you are using the Solaris operating systems, you have the option of using the Forte compiler available through Sun Microsystems, or GNU gcc version 3.4.3. You also have the option of using the standard version of SK API or the threadsafe version of the SK API. SwitchKit API is available to support these situations.

Linux

If you are using Red Hat Linux operating systems, you have the option of using the threadsafe library or not. SwitchKit API is available to support both.

HP-UX

If you are using the HP-UX operating system, you have the option of using the threadsafe library or not. SwitchKit API is available to support both. Whether you are developing using the threadsafe or standard libraries, you must use libskcommonAA.sl.

Development Libraries

The next table shows which libraries are required for development on each UNIX platform supported. Be certain to include all libraries in your makefile for proper SwitchKit application development.

Operating System | Libraries
--- | ---
Windows® | Non Threadsafe Development skapi.lib Threadsafe Development skapi_ts.lib ACE.lib
Solaris | Non Threadsafe Development libskapi.a libskcapi.a libskapiGCC.a libskcapiGCC.a Threadsafe Development libskapi_ts.a libskcapi_ts.a libskapiGCC_ts.a libskcapiGCC_ts.a lib/libACE.so.5.4.4 libACE.so (soft link to libACE.so.5.4.4)
Linux | Non Threadsafe Development libskapi.a libskcapi.a Threadsafe Development libskapi_ts.a libskcapi_ts.a lib/libACE.so.5.3.3 libACE.so (soft link to libACE.so.5.3.3)
HP-UX | Non Threadsafe Development libskapiAA.sl libskapi.sl (soft link to libskapiAA.sl) libskcapiAA.sl libskcapi.sl (soft link to libskcapiAA.sl) *libskcommonAA.sl *libskcommon.sl (soft link to libskcommonAA.sl) *libstateAA.sl (required for LLC functionality) *libstate.sl (soft link to libstateAA.sl) Threadsafe Development libskapiAA_ts.sl libskcapiAA_ts.a libskcommonAA_ts.sl *libskcommonAA.sl *libskcommon.sl (soft link to libskcommonAA.sl) libACE.sl

* libskcommon is required for proper operation of LLC, SwitchManager, and customer-developed applications. libstate is required for proper operation of LLC.

Microsoft Windows NT® and Windows XP

If you are using a Windows NT® or WIndows XP operating system to develop your application, the following files must be included in your workspace.

Development Library | SKApi.lib
Run-time Library | SKApi.dll