Introduction

The content stream networking is based on so-called uplink and downlink ports. The uplink and downlink ports are the outlets resp. inlets of a portal.

Each uplink and downlink port has got different properties which – for instance – select certain content groups or control incoming contents. Uplink and downlink ports of a source portal can be connected with one (1:1) or several (1:n) target portals via channels.

Articles which are transferred with this networking functionality, are available on the target portal as a separate document, thus as a copy. Due to XML as transmission format you can implement foreign and proprietary contents easily.

Content streams are especially suited for system-overlapping implementation of current contents (e. g. news).

The actual data transfer takes place via a so-called „medium“. Currently either „e-mail“ or a „http direct connection“ can be considered as medium.

In case of the medium e-mail both, ASCII e-mails as well as e-mails in the XML format can be sent and read-out transcoded. But, in case of the ASCII format a lot of information is lost ! The whole process, namely the sending from the source portal as well as the receiving and the import process at the target portal, is handled by the so-called spooler.

In case of the medium „http direct connection“ the source portal contacts the target portal directly via internet and transmits all data.
Since in case of the http direct connection only the process of sending is handled by the spooler, and the data are written directly into the data base after verification at the receiving portal, normally the medium http direct connection is better, faster and less demanding regarding server resources. On the other hand e-mail per mail server also works in both directions - even through firewalls - and foreign content suppliers can be integrated easier.