Index: Makefile
==================================================================
--- Makefile
+++ Makefile
@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@
 CSCOPTS= 
 INSTALL=install
 SRCFILES = common.scm items.scm launch.scm \
            ods.scm runconfig.scm server.scm configf.scm \
            db.scm keys.scm margs.scm megatest-version.scm \
-           process.scm runs.scm tasks.scm tests.scm genexample.scm
+           process.scm runs.scm tasks.scm tests.scm genexample.scm \
+	   fs-transport.scm
 
 GUISRCF  = dashboard.scm dashboard-tests.scm dashboard-guimonitor.scm dashboard-main.scm
 
 OFILES   = $(SRCFILES:%.scm=%.o)
 GOFILES  = $(GUISRCF:%.scm=%.o)

Index: common.scm
==================================================================
--- common.scm
+++ common.scm
@@ -40,10 +40,12 @@
 (define *globalexitstatus*  0) ;; attempt to work around possible thread issues
 (define *passnum*           0) ;; when running track calls to run-tests or similar
 
 ;; SERVER
 (define *my-client-signature* #f)
+(define *transport-type*    'fs)
+(define *megatest-db*       #f)
 (define *rpc:listener*      #f) ;; if set up for server communication this will hold the tcp port
 (define *runremote*         #f) ;; if set up for server communication this will hold <host port>
 (define *last-db-access*    (current-seconds))  ;; update when db is accessed via server
 (define *max-cache-size*    0)
 (define *logged-in-clients* (make-hash-table))

Index: db.scm
==================================================================
--- db.scm
+++ db.scm
@@ -17,15 +17,19 @@
 ;; (import (prefix rpc rpc:))
 
 (use sqlite3 srfi-1 posix regex regex-case srfi-69 csv-xml s11n md5 message-digest base64)
 (import (prefix sqlite3 sqlite3:))
 (import (prefix base64 base64:))
+
+;; Note, try to remove this dependency 
+(use zmq)
 
 (declare (unit db))
 (declare (uses common))
 (declare (uses keys))
 (declare (uses ods))
+(declare (uses fs-transport))
 
 (include "common_records.scm")
 (include "db_records.scm")
 (include "key_records.scm")
 (include "run_records.scm")
@@ -1104,22 +1108,33 @@
 ;;   (let loop ()
 ;;     (thread-sleep! 10) ;; move save time around to minimize regular collisions?
 ;;     (db:write-cached-data)
 ;;     (loop)))
 
+;; NOTE: Can remove the regex and base64 encoding for zmq
 (define (db:obj->string obj)
-  (string-substitute
-   (regexp "=") "_"
-   (base64:base64-encode (with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize obj))))
-   #t))
+  (case *transport-type*
+    ((fs) obj)
+	((http)
+     (string-substitute
+       (regexp "=") "_"
+         (base64:base64-encode (with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize obj))))
+        #t))
+    ((zmq)(with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize obj))))
+    (else obj)))
 
 (define (db:string->obj msg)
-  (with-input-from-string 
-      (base64:base64-decode
-       (string-substitute 
-	(regexp "_") "=" msg #t))
-    (lambda ()(deserialize))))
+  (case *transport-type*
+   ((fs) msg)
+   ((http)
+    (with-input-from-string 
+       (base64:base64-decode
+         (string-substitute 
+	   (regexp "_") "=" msg #t))
+       (lambda ()(deserialize))))
+   ((zmq)(with-input-from-string msg (lambda ()(deserialize))))
+   (else msg)))
 
 (define (cdb:use-non-blocking-mode proc)
   (set! *client-non-blocking-mode* #t)
   (let ((res (proc)))
     (set! *client-non-blocking-mode* #f)
@@ -1126,58 +1141,83 @@
     res))
   
 ;; params = 'target cached remparams
 ;;
 ;; make-vector-record cdb packet client-sig qtype immediate query-sig params qtime
+;;
+;; cdb:client-call is the unified interface to all the transports. It dispatches the
+;;                 query to a server routine (e.g. server:client-send-recieve) that 
+;;                 transports the data to the server where it is passed to db:process-queue-item
+;;                 which either returns the data to the calling server routine or 
+;;                 directly calls the returning procedure (e.g. zmq).
 ;;
 (define (cdb:client-call serverdat qtype immediate numretries . params)
   (debug:print-info 11 "cdb:client-call serverdat=" serverdat ", qtype=" qtype ", immediate=" immediate ", numretries=" numretries ", params=" params)
-  ;; (handle-exceptions
-  ;;  exn
-  ;;  (begin
-  ;;    (thread-sleep! 5) 
-  ;;    (if (> numretries 0)(apply cdb:client-call serverdat qtype immediate (- numretries 1) params)))
-   (let* ((client-sig  (server:get-client-signature))
-	  (query-sig   (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) (conc qtype immediate params)))
-	  (zdat        (db:obj->string (vector client-sig qtype immediate query-sig params (current-seconds)))) ;; (with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize params))))
-	  )
-     (debug:print-info 11 "zdat=" zdat)
-     (let* (
-	  (res  #f)
-	  (rawdat      (server:client-send-receive serverdat zdat))
-	  (tmp         #f))
-     (debug:print-info 11 "Sent " zdat ", received " rawdat)
-     (set! tmp (db:string->obj rawdat))
-     ;; (if (equal? query-sig (vector-ref myres 1))
-     ;; (set! res
-     (vector-ref tmp 2)
-     ;; (loop (server:client-send-receive serverdat zdat)))))))
-	  ;; (timeout (lambda ()
-	  ;;            (let loop ((n numretries))
-	  ;;              (thread-sleep! 15)
-	  ;;              (if (not res)
-	  ;;       	   (if (> numretries 0)
-	  ;;       	       (begin
-	  ;;       		 (debug:print 2 "WARNING: no reply to query " params ", trying resend")
-	  ;;       		 (debug:print-info 11 "re-sending message")
-	  ;;       		 (apply cdb:client-call serverdat qtype immediate numretries params)
-	  ;;       		 (debug:print-info 11 "message re-sent")
-	  ;;       		 (loop (- n 1)))
-	  ;;       	       ;; (apply cdb:client-call serverdats qtype immediate (- numretries 1) params))
-	  ;;       	       (begin
-	  ;;       		 (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cdb:client-call timed out " params ", exiting.")
-	  ;;       		 (exit 5))))))))
-     ;; (send-receive)
-     )))
-     ;; (debug:print-info 11 "Starting threads")
-     ;; (let ((th1 (make-thread send-receive "send receive"))
-     ;;       (th2 (make-thread timeout      "timeout")))
-     ;;   (thread-start! th1)
-     ;;   (thread-start! th2)
-     ;;   (thread-join!  th1)
-     ;;   (debug:print-info 11 "cdb:client-call returning res=" res)
-     ;;   res))))
+  (case *transport-type* 
+    ((fs)
+     (let ((packet (vector "na" qtype immediate "na" params 0)))
+       (fs:process-queue-item packet)))
+    ((http)
+     (let* ((client-sig  (server:get-client-signature))
+	    (query-sig   (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) (conc qtype immediate params)))
+	    (zdat        (db:obj->string (vector client-sig qtype immediate query-sig params (current-seconds))))) ;; (with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize params))))
+       (debug:print-info 11 "zdat=" zdat)
+       (let* ((res  #f)
+	      (rawdat      (server:client-send-receive serverdat zdat))
+	      (tmp         #f))
+	 (debug:print-info 11 "Sent " zdat ", received " rawdat)
+	 (set! tmp (db:string->obj rawdat))
+	 (vector-ref tmp 2))))
+    ((zmq)
+     (handle-exceptions
+      exn
+      (begin
+	(thread-sleep! 5) 
+	(if (> numretries 0)(apply cdb:client-call zmq-sockets qtype immediate (- numretries 1) params)))
+      (let* ((push-socket (vector-ref zmq-sockets 0))
+	     (sub-socket  (vector-ref zmq-sockets 1))
+	     (client-sig  (server:get-client-signature))
+	     (query-sig   (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) (conc qtype immediate params)))
+	     (zdat        (db:obj->string (vector client-sig qtype immediate query-sig params (current-seconds)))) ;; (with-output-to-string (lambda ()(serialize params))))
+	     (res  #f)
+	     (send-receive (lambda ()
+			     (debug:print-info 11 "sending message")
+			     (send-message push-socket zdat)
+			     (debug:print-info 11 "message sent")
+			     (let loop ()
+			       ;; get the sender info
+			       ;; this should match (server:get-client-signature)
+			       ;; we will need to process "all" messages here some day
+			       (receive-message* sub-socket)
+			       ;; now get the actual message
+			       (let ((myres (db:string->obj (receive-message* sub-socket))))
+				 (if (equal? query-sig (vector-ref myres 1))
+				     (set! res (vector-ref myres 2))
+				     (loop))))))
+	     (timeout (lambda ()
+			(let loop ((n numretries))
+			  (thread-sleep! 15)
+			  (if (not res)
+			      (if (> numretries 0)
+				  (begin
+				    (debug:print 2 "WARNING: no reply to query " params ", trying resend")
+				    (debug:print-info 11 "re-sending message")
+				    (send-message push-socket zdat)
+				    (debug:print-info 11 "message re-sent")
+				    (loop (- n 1)))
+				  ;; (apply cdb:client-call zmq-sockets qtype immediate (- numretries 1) params))
+				  (begin
+				    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cdb:client-call timed out " params ", exiting.")
+				    (exit 5))))))))
+	(debug:print-info 11 "Starting threads")
+	(let ((th1 (make-thread send-receive "send receive"))
+	      (th2 (make-thread timeout      "timeout")))
+	  (thread-start! th1)
+	  (thread-start! th2)
+	  (thread-join!  th1)
+	  (debug:print-info 11 "cdb:client-call returning res=" res)
+	  res))))))
   
 (define (cdb:set-verbosity serverdat val)
   (cdb:client-call serverdat 'set-verbosity #f *default-numtries* val))
 
 (define (cdb:login serverdat keyval signature)

ADDED   fs-transport.scm
Index: fs-transport.scm
==================================================================
--- /dev/null
+++ fs-transport.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+
+;; Copyright 2006-2012, Matthew Welland.
+;; 
+;;  This program is made available under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or
+;;  greater. See the accompanying file COPYING for details.
+;; 
+;;  This program is distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the
+;;  implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+;;  PURPOSE.
+
+(require-extension (srfi 18) extras tcp s11n)
+
+(use sqlite3 srfi-1 posix regex regex-case srfi-69 hostinfo md5 message-digest)
+(import (prefix sqlite3 sqlite3:))
+
+(use spiffy uri-common intarweb http-client spiffy-request-vars)
+
+(tcp-buffer-size 2048)
+
+(declare (unit fs-transport))
+
+(declare (uses common))
+(declare (uses db))
+(declare (uses tests))
+(declare (uses tasks)) ;; tasks are where stuff is maintained about what is running.
+
+(include "common_records.scm")
+(include "db_records.scm")
+
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; F S   T R A N S P O R T   S E R V E R
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; There is no "server" per se but a convience routine to make it non
+;; necessary to be reopening the db over and over again.
+;;
+
+(define (fs:process-queue-item packet)
+  (if (not *megatest-db*) ;; we will require that (setup-for-run) has already been called
+      (set! *megatest-db* (open-db)))
+  (debug:print-info 11 "fs:process-queue-item called with packet=" packet)
+  (db:process-queue-item *megatest-db* packet))
+      

ADDED   http-transport.scm
Index: http-transport.scm
==================================================================
--- /dev/null
+++ http-transport.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,412 @@
+
+;; Copyright 2006-2012, Matthew Welland.
+;; 
+;;  This program is made available under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or
+;;  greater. See the accompanying file COPYING for details.
+;; 
+;;  This program is distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the
+;;  implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+;;  PURPOSE.
+
+(require-extension (srfi 18) extras tcp s11n)
+
+(use sqlite3 srfi-1 posix regex regex-case srfi-69 hostinfo md5 message-digest)
+(import (prefix sqlite3 sqlite3:))
+
+(use spiffy uri-common intarweb http-client spiffy-request-vars)
+
+(tcp-buffer-size 2048)
+
+(declare (unit server))
+
+(declare (uses common))
+(declare (uses db))
+(declare (uses tests))
+(declare (uses tasks)) ;; tasks are where stuff is maintained about what is running.
+
+(include "common_records.scm")
+(include "db_records.scm")
+
+(define (server:make-server-url hostport)
+  (if (not hostport)
+      #f
+      (conc "http://" (car hostport) ":" (cadr hostport))))
+
+(define  *server-loop-heart-beat* (current-seconds))
+(define *heartbeat-mutex* (make-mutex))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; Call this to start the actual server
+;;
+
+(define *db:process-queue-mutex* (make-mutex))
+
+(define (server:run hostn)
+  (debug:print 2 "Attempting to start the server ...")
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, cannot start server, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let* (;; (iface           (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+	 ;;        	      #f ;; (get-host-name) 
+	 ;;        	      hostn))
+	 (db              #f) ;;        (open-db)) ;; we don't want the server to be opening and closing the db unnecesarily
+	 (hostname        (get-host-name))
+	 (ipaddrstr       (let ((ipstr (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+					   (string-intersperse (map number->string (u8vector->list (hostname->ip hostname))) ".")
+					   #f)))
+			    (if ipstr ipstr hostn))) ;; hostname)))
+	 (start-port    (if (args:get-arg "-port")
+			    (string->number (args:get-arg "-port"))
+			    (+ 5000 (random 1001))))
+	 (link-tree-path (config-lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree")))
+    (set! *cache-on* #t)
+    (root-path     (if link-tree-path 
+		       link-tree-path
+		       (current-directory))) ;; WARNING: SECURITY HOLE. FIX ASAP!
+
+    ;; Setup the web server and a /ctrl interface
+    ;;
+    (vhost-map `(((* any) . ,(lambda (continue)
+			       ;; open the db on the first call 
+			       (if (not db)(set! db (open-db)))
+			       (let* (($   (request-vars source: 'both))
+				      (dat ($ 'dat))
+				      (res #f))
+				 (cond
+				  ((equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request))) 
+					   '(/ "hey"))
+				   (send-response body: "hey there!\n"
+						  headers: '((content-type text/plain))))
+				  ;; This is the /ctrl path where data is handed to the server and
+				  ;; responses 
+				  ((equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request)))
+					   '(/ "ctrl"))
+				   (let* ((packet (db:string->obj dat))
+					  (qtype  (cdb:packet-get-qtype packet)))
+				     (debug:print-info 12 "server=> received packet=" packet)
+				     (if (not (member qtype '(sync ping)))
+					 (begin
+					   (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+					   (set! *last-db-access* (current-seconds))
+					   (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)))
+				     ;; (mutex-lock! *db:process-queue-mutex*) ;; trying a mutex
+				     ;; (set! res (open-run-close db:process-queue-item open-db packet))
+				     (set! res (db:process-queue-item db packet))
+				     ;; (mutex-unlock! *db:process-queue-mutex*)
+				     (debug:print-info 11 "Return value from db:process-queue-item is " res)
+				     (send-response body: (conc "<head>ctrl data</head>\n<body>"
+								res
+								"</body>")
+						    headers: '((content-type text/plain)))))
+				  (else (continue))))))))
+    (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr start-port)
+    ;; lite3:finalize! db)))
+    ))
+
+
+
+;; (define (server:main-loop)
+;;   (print "INFO: Exectuing main server loop")
+;;   (access-log "megatest-http.log")
+;;   (server-bind-address #f)
+;;   (define-page (main-page-path)
+;;     (lambda ()
+;;       (let ((dat ($ "dat")))
+;;       ;; (with-request-variables (dat)
+;;         (debug:print-info 12 "Got dat=" dat)
+;; 	(let* ((packet (db:string->obj dat))
+;; 	       (qtype  (cdb:packet-get-qtype packet)))
+;; 	  (debug:print-info 12 "server=> received packet=" packet)
+;; 	  (if (not (member qtype '(sync ping)))
+;; 	      (begin
+;; 		(mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+;; 		(set! *last-db-access* (current-seconds))
+;; 		(mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)))
+;; 	  (let ((res (open-run-close db:process-queue-item open-db packet)))
+;; 	    (debug:print-info 11 "Return value from db:process-queue-item is " res)
+;; 	    res))))))
+
+;;; (use spiffy uri-common intarweb)
+;;; 
+;;; (root-path "/var/www")
+;;; 
+;;; (vhost-map `(((* any) . ,(lambda (continue)
+;;;                            (if (equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request))) 
+;;;                                        '(/ "hey"))
+;;;                                (send-response body: "hey there!\n"
+;;;                                               headers: '((content-type text/plain)))
+;;;                                (continue))))))
+;;; 
+;;; (start-server port: 12345)
+
+;; This is recursively run by server:run until sucessful
+;;
+(define (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr portnum)
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (begin
+     (print-error-message exn)
+     (if (< portnum 9000)
+	 (begin 
+	   (print "WARNING: failed to start on portnum: " portnum ", trying next port")
+	   (thread-sleep! 0.1)
+	   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+	   (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr (+ portnum 1)))
+	 (print "ERROR: Tried and tried but could not start the server")))
+   (set! *runremote* (list ipaddrstr portnum))
+   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+   (open-run-close tasks:server-register 
+		   tasks:open-db 
+		   (current-process-id)
+		   ipaddrstr portnum 0 'live)
+   (print "INFO: Trying to start server on " ipaddrstr ":" portnum)
+   ;; This starts the spiffy server
+   (start-server port: portnum)
+   (print "INFO: server has been stopped")))
+
+(define (server:mk-signature)
+  (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) 
+			 (with-output-to-string
+			   (lambda ()
+			     (write (list (current-directory)
+					  (argv)))))))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R   U T I L I T I E S 
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; When using zmq this would send the message back (two step process)
+;; with spiffy or rpc this simply returns the return data to be returned
+;; 
+(define (server:reply return-addr query-sig success/fail result)
+  (debug:print-info 11 "server:reply return-addr=" return-addr ", result=" result)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock target send-more: #t)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock 
+  (db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result)))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; C L I E N T S
+;;======================================================================
+
+(define (server:get-client-signature)
+  (if *my-client-signature* *my-client-signature*
+      (let ((sig (server:mk-signature)))
+	(set! *my-client-signature* sig)
+	*my-client-signature*)))
+
+;; <html>
+;; <head></head>
+;; <body>1 Hello, world! Goodbye Dolly</body></html>
+;; Send msg to serverdat and receive result
+(define (server:client-send-receive serverdat msg)
+  (let* ((url        (server:make-server-url serverdat))
+	 (fullurl    (conc url "/ctrl")) ;; (conc url "/?dat=" msg)))
+	 (numretries 0))     
+    (handle-exceptions
+     exn
+     (if (< numretries 200)
+	 (server:client-send-receive serverdat msg))
+     (begin
+       (debug:print-info 11 "fullurl=" fullurl "\n")
+       ;; set up the http-client here
+       (max-retry-attempts 100)
+       (retry-request? (lambda (request)
+			 (thread-sleep! (/ (if (> numretries 100) 100 numretries) 10))
+			 (set! numretries (+ numretries 1))
+			 #t))
+       ;; send the data and get the response
+       ;; extract the needed info from the http data and 
+       ;; process and return it.
+       (let* ((res   (with-input-from-request fullurl 
+					      ;; #f
+					      ;; msg 
+					      (list (cons 'dat msg)) 
+					      read-string)))
+	 (debug:print-info 11 "got res=" res)
+	 (let ((match (string-search (regexp "<body>(.*)<.body>") res)))
+	   (debug:print-info 11 "match=" match)
+	   (let ((final (cadr match)))
+	     (debug:print-info 11 "final=" final)
+	     final)))))))
+
+(define (server:client-login serverdat)
+  (max-retry-attempts 100)
+  (cdb:login serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))
+
+;; Not currently used! But, I think it *should* be used!!!
+(define (server:client-logout serverdat)
+  (let ((ok (and (socket? serverdat)
+		 (cdb:logout serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))))
+    ;; (close-socket serverdat)
+    ok))
+
+(define (server:client-connect iface port)
+  (let* ((login-res   #f)
+	 (serverdat   (list iface port)))
+    (set! login-res (server:client-login serverdat))
+    (if (and (not (null? login-res))
+	     (car login-res))
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Logged in and connected to " iface ":" port)
+	  (set! *runremote* serverdat)
+	  serverdat)
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Failed to login or connect to " iface ":" port)
+	  (set! *runremote* #f)
+	  #f))))
+
+;; Do all the connection work, start a server if not already running
+(define (server:client-setup #!key (numtries 50))
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let ((hostinfo   (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (if hostinfo
+	(let ((host     (list-ref hostinfo 0))
+	      (iface    (list-ref hostinfo 1))
+	      (port     (list-ref hostinfo 2))
+	      (pid      (list-ref hostinfo 3)))
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Setting up to connect to " hostinfo)
+	  (server:client-connect iface port)) ;; )
+	(if (> numtries 0)
+	    (let ((exe (car (argv)))
+		  (pid #f))
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "No server available, attempting to start one...")
+	      (set! pid (process-run exe (list "-server" "-" "-debug" (if (list? *verbosity*)
+	        							  (string-intersperse *verbosity* ",")
+	        							  (conc *verbosity*)))))
+	      ;; (set! pid (process-fork (lambda ()
+	      ;;   			(current-input-port  (open-input-file  "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-output-port (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-error-port  (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(server:launch))))
+	      (let loop ((count 0))
+		(let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+		  (if (not hostinfo)
+		      (begin
+			(debug:print-info 0 "Waiting for server pid=" pid " to start")
+			(sleep 2) ;; give server time to start
+			(if (< count 5)
+			    (loop (+ count 1)))))))
+	      ;; we are starting a server, do not try again! That can lead to 
+	      ;; recursively starting many processes!!!
+	      (server:client-setup numtries: 0))
+	    (debug:print-info 1 "Too many attempts, giving up")))))
+
+;; run server:keep-running in a parallel thread to monitor that the db is being 
+;; used and to shutdown after sometime if it is not.
+;;
+(define (server:keep-running)
+  ;; if none running or if > 20 seconds since 
+  ;; server last used then start shutdown
+  ;; This thread waits for the server to come alive
+  (let* ((server-info (let loop ()
+                        (let ((sdat #f))
+                          (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (set! sdat *runremote*)
+                          (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (if sdat sdat
+                              (begin
+                                (sleep 4)
+                                (loop))))))
+         (iface       (car server-info))
+         (port        (cadr server-info))
+         (last-access 0)
+	 (tdb         (tasks:open-db))
+	 (spid        (tasks:server-get-server-id tdb #f iface port #f)))
+    (print "Keep-running got server pid " spid ", using iface " iface " and port " port)
+    (let loop ((count 0))
+      (thread-sleep! 4) ;; no need to do this very often
+      ;; NB// sync currently does NOT return queue-length
+      (let () ;; (queue-len (cdb:client-call server-info 'sync #t 1)))
+      ;; (print "Server running, count is " count)
+        (if (< count 1) ;; 3x3 = 9 secs aprox
+            (loop (+ count 1)))
+        
+        ;; NOTE: Get rid of this mechanism! It really is not needed...
+        (tasks:server-update-heartbeat tdb spid)
+      
+        ;; (if ;; (or (> numrunning 0) ;; stay alive for two days after last access
+        (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (set! last-access *last-db-access*)
+        (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (if (> (+ last-access
+                  ;; (* 50 60 60)    ;; 48 hrs
+                  ;; 60              ;; one minute
+                  ;; (* 60 60)       ;; one hour
+                  (* 45 60)          ;; 45 minutes, until the db deletion bug is fixed.
+                  )
+               (current-seconds))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 2 "Server continuing, seconds since last db access: " (- (current-seconds) last-access))
+              (loop 0))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Starting to shutdown the server.")
+              ;; need to delete only *my* server entry (future use)
+              (set! *time-to-exit* #t)
+              (tasks:server-deregister-self tdb (get-host-name))
+              (thread-sleep! 1)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Max cached queries was " *max-cache-size*)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Server shutdown complete. Exiting")
+              (exit)))))))
+
+;; all routes though here end in exit ...
+(define (server:launch)
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (debug:print-info 2 "Starting the standalone server")
+  (let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (debug:print 11 "server:launch hostinfo=" hostinfo)
+    (if hostinfo
+	(debug:print-info 2 "NOT starting new server, one is already running on " (car hostinfo) ":" (cadr hostinfo))
+	(if *toppath* 
+	    (let* ((th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+				       (server:run 
+					(if (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    "-"))) "Server run"))
+		   (th3 (make-thread (lambda ()(server:keep-running)) "Keep running"))
+		   )
+	      (thread-start! th2)
+	      (thread-start! th3)
+	      (set! *didsomething* #t)
+	      (thread-join! th2)
+	      )
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to setup for megatest")))
+    (exit)))
+
+(define (server:client-signal-handler signum)
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (debug:print " ... exiting ...")
+   (let ((th1 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     "") ;; do nothing for now (was flush out last call if applicable)
+			   "eat response"))
+	 (th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Received ^C, attempting clean exit. Please be patient and wait a few seconds before hitting ^C again.")
+			     (thread-sleep! 1) ;; give the flush one second to do it's stuff
+			     (debug:print 0 "       Done.")
+			     (exit 4))
+			   "exit on ^C timer")))
+     (thread-start! th2)
+     (thread-start! th1)
+     (thread-join! th2))))
+
+(define (server:client-launch)
+  (set-signal-handler! signal/int server:client-signal-handler)
+   (if (server:client-setup)
+       (debug:print-info 2 "connected as client")
+       (begin
+	 (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to connect as client")
+	 (exit))))
+

ADDED   rpc-transport.scm
Index: rpc-transport.scm
==================================================================
--- /dev/null
+++ rpc-transport.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,412 @@
+
+;; Copyright 2006-2012, Matthew Welland.
+;; 
+;;  This program is made available under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or
+;;  greater. See the accompanying file COPYING for details.
+;; 
+;;  This program is distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the
+;;  implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+;;  PURPOSE.
+
+(require-extension (srfi 18) extras tcp s11n)
+
+(use sqlite3 srfi-1 posix regex regex-case srfi-69 hostinfo md5 message-digest)
+(import (prefix sqlite3 sqlite3:))
+
+(use spiffy uri-common intarweb http-client spiffy-request-vars)
+
+(tcp-buffer-size 2048)
+
+(declare (unit server))
+
+(declare (uses common))
+(declare (uses db))
+(declare (uses tests))
+(declare (uses tasks)) ;; tasks are where stuff is maintained about what is running.
+
+(include "common_records.scm")
+(include "db_records.scm")
+
+(define (server:make-server-url hostport)
+  (if (not hostport)
+      #f
+      (conc "http://" (car hostport) ":" (cadr hostport))))
+
+(define  *server-loop-heart-beat* (current-seconds))
+(define *heartbeat-mutex* (make-mutex))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; Call this to start the actual server
+;;
+
+(define *db:process-queue-mutex* (make-mutex))
+
+(define (server:run hostn)
+  (debug:print 2 "Attempting to start the server ...")
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, cannot start server, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let* (;; (iface           (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+	 ;;        	      #f ;; (get-host-name) 
+	 ;;        	      hostn))
+	 (db              #f) ;;        (open-db)) ;; we don't want the server to be opening and closing the db unnecesarily
+	 (hostname        (get-host-name))
+	 (ipaddrstr       (let ((ipstr (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+					   (string-intersperse (map number->string (u8vector->list (hostname->ip hostname))) ".")
+					   #f)))
+			    (if ipstr ipstr hostn))) ;; hostname)))
+	 (start-port    (if (args:get-arg "-port")
+			    (string->number (args:get-arg "-port"))
+			    (+ 5000 (random 1001))))
+	 (link-tree-path (config-lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree")))
+    (set! *cache-on* #t)
+    (root-path     (if link-tree-path 
+		       link-tree-path
+		       (current-directory))) ;; WARNING: SECURITY HOLE. FIX ASAP!
+
+    ;; Setup the web server and a /ctrl interface
+    ;;
+    (vhost-map `(((* any) . ,(lambda (continue)
+			       ;; open the db on the first call 
+			       (if (not db)(set! db (open-db)))
+			       (let* (($   (request-vars source: 'both))
+				      (dat ($ 'dat))
+				      (res #f))
+				 (cond
+				  ((equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request))) 
+					   '(/ "hey"))
+				   (send-response body: "hey there!\n"
+						  headers: '((content-type text/plain))))
+				  ;; This is the /ctrl path where data is handed to the server and
+				  ;; responses 
+				  ((equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request)))
+					   '(/ "ctrl"))
+				   (let* ((packet (db:string->obj dat))
+					  (qtype  (cdb:packet-get-qtype packet)))
+				     (debug:print-info 12 "server=> received packet=" packet)
+				     (if (not (member qtype '(sync ping)))
+					 (begin
+					   (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+					   (set! *last-db-access* (current-seconds))
+					   (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)))
+				     ;; (mutex-lock! *db:process-queue-mutex*) ;; trying a mutex
+				     ;; (set! res (open-run-close db:process-queue-item open-db packet))
+				     (set! res (db:process-queue-item db packet))
+				     ;; (mutex-unlock! *db:process-queue-mutex*)
+				     (debug:print-info 11 "Return value from db:process-queue-item is " res)
+				     (send-response body: (conc "<head>ctrl data</head>\n<body>"
+								res
+								"</body>")
+						    headers: '((content-type text/plain)))))
+				  (else (continue))))))))
+    (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr start-port)
+    ;; lite3:finalize! db)))
+    ))
+
+
+
+;; (define (server:main-loop)
+;;   (print "INFO: Exectuing main server loop")
+;;   (access-log "megatest-http.log")
+;;   (server-bind-address #f)
+;;   (define-page (main-page-path)
+;;     (lambda ()
+;;       (let ((dat ($ "dat")))
+;;       ;; (with-request-variables (dat)
+;;         (debug:print-info 12 "Got dat=" dat)
+;; 	(let* ((packet (db:string->obj dat))
+;; 	       (qtype  (cdb:packet-get-qtype packet)))
+;; 	  (debug:print-info 12 "server=> received packet=" packet)
+;; 	  (if (not (member qtype '(sync ping)))
+;; 	      (begin
+;; 		(mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+;; 		(set! *last-db-access* (current-seconds))
+;; 		(mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)))
+;; 	  (let ((res (open-run-close db:process-queue-item open-db packet)))
+;; 	    (debug:print-info 11 "Return value from db:process-queue-item is " res)
+;; 	    res))))))
+
+;;; (use spiffy uri-common intarweb)
+;;; 
+;;; (root-path "/var/www")
+;;; 
+;;; (vhost-map `(((* any) . ,(lambda (continue)
+;;;                            (if (equal? (uri-path (request-uri (current-request))) 
+;;;                                        '(/ "hey"))
+;;;                                (send-response body: "hey there!\n"
+;;;                                               headers: '((content-type text/plain)))
+;;;                                (continue))))))
+;;; 
+;;; (start-server port: 12345)
+
+;; This is recursively run by server:run until sucessful
+;;
+(define (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr portnum)
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (begin
+     (print-error-message exn)
+     (if (< portnum 9000)
+	 (begin 
+	   (print "WARNING: failed to start on portnum: " portnum ", trying next port")
+	   (thread-sleep! 0.1)
+	   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+	   (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr (+ portnum 1)))
+	 (print "ERROR: Tried and tried but could not start the server")))
+   (set! *runremote* (list ipaddrstr portnum))
+   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+   (open-run-close tasks:server-register 
+		   tasks:open-db 
+		   (current-process-id)
+		   ipaddrstr portnum 0 'live)
+   (print "INFO: Trying to start server on " ipaddrstr ":" portnum)
+   ;; This starts the spiffy server
+   (start-server port: portnum)
+   (print "INFO: server has been stopped")))
+
+(define (server:mk-signature)
+  (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) 
+			 (with-output-to-string
+			   (lambda ()
+			     (write (list (current-directory)
+					  (argv)))))))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R   U T I L I T I E S 
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; When using zmq this would send the message back (two step process)
+;; with spiffy or rpc this simply returns the return data to be returned
+;; 
+(define (server:reply return-addr query-sig success/fail result)
+  (debug:print-info 11 "server:reply return-addr=" return-addr ", result=" result)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock target send-more: #t)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock 
+  (db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result)))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; C L I E N T S
+;;======================================================================
+
+(define (server:get-client-signature)
+  (if *my-client-signature* *my-client-signature*
+      (let ((sig (server:mk-signature)))
+	(set! *my-client-signature* sig)
+	*my-client-signature*)))
+
+;; <html>
+;; <head></head>
+;; <body>1 Hello, world! Goodbye Dolly</body></html>
+;; Send msg to serverdat and receive result
+(define (server:client-send-receive serverdat msg)
+  (let* ((url        (server:make-server-url serverdat))
+	 (fullurl    (conc url "/ctrl")) ;; (conc url "/?dat=" msg)))
+	 (numretries 0))     
+    (handle-exceptions
+     exn
+     (if (< numretries 200)
+	 (server:client-send-receive serverdat msg))
+     (begin
+       (debug:print-info 11 "fullurl=" fullurl "\n")
+       ;; set up the http-client here
+       (max-retry-attempts 100)
+       (retry-request? (lambda (request)
+			 (thread-sleep! (/ (if (> numretries 100) 100 numretries) 10))
+			 (set! numretries (+ numretries 1))
+			 #t))
+       ;; send the data and get the response
+       ;; extract the needed info from the http data and 
+       ;; process and return it.
+       (let* ((res   (with-input-from-request fullurl 
+					      ;; #f
+					      ;; msg 
+					      (list (cons 'dat msg)) 
+					      read-string)))
+	 (debug:print-info 11 "got res=" res)
+	 (let ((match (string-search (regexp "<body>(.*)<.body>") res)))
+	   (debug:print-info 11 "match=" match)
+	   (let ((final (cadr match)))
+	     (debug:print-info 11 "final=" final)
+	     final)))))))
+
+(define (server:client-login serverdat)
+  (max-retry-attempts 100)
+  (cdb:login serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))
+
+;; Not currently used! But, I think it *should* be used!!!
+(define (server:client-logout serverdat)
+  (let ((ok (and (socket? serverdat)
+		 (cdb:logout serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))))
+    ;; (close-socket serverdat)
+    ok))
+
+(define (server:client-connect iface port)
+  (let* ((login-res   #f)
+	 (serverdat   (list iface port)))
+    (set! login-res (server:client-login serverdat))
+    (if (and (not (null? login-res))
+	     (car login-res))
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Logged in and connected to " iface ":" port)
+	  (set! *runremote* serverdat)
+	  serverdat)
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Failed to login or connect to " iface ":" port)
+	  (set! *runremote* #f)
+	  #f))))
+
+;; Do all the connection work, start a server if not already running
+(define (server:client-setup #!key (numtries 50))
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let ((hostinfo   (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (if hostinfo
+	(let ((host     (list-ref hostinfo 0))
+	      (iface    (list-ref hostinfo 1))
+	      (port     (list-ref hostinfo 2))
+	      (pid      (list-ref hostinfo 3)))
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Setting up to connect to " hostinfo)
+	  (server:client-connect iface port)) ;; )
+	(if (> numtries 0)
+	    (let ((exe (car (argv)))
+		  (pid #f))
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "No server available, attempting to start one...")
+	      (set! pid (process-run exe (list "-server" "-" "-debug" (if (list? *verbosity*)
+	        							  (string-intersperse *verbosity* ",")
+	        							  (conc *verbosity*)))))
+	      ;; (set! pid (process-fork (lambda ()
+	      ;;   			(current-input-port  (open-input-file  "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-output-port (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-error-port  (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(server:launch))))
+	      (let loop ((count 0))
+		(let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+		  (if (not hostinfo)
+		      (begin
+			(debug:print-info 0 "Waiting for server pid=" pid " to start")
+			(sleep 2) ;; give server time to start
+			(if (< count 5)
+			    (loop (+ count 1)))))))
+	      ;; we are starting a server, do not try again! That can lead to 
+	      ;; recursively starting many processes!!!
+	      (server:client-setup numtries: 0))
+	    (debug:print-info 1 "Too many attempts, giving up")))))
+
+;; run server:keep-running in a parallel thread to monitor that the db is being 
+;; used and to shutdown after sometime if it is not.
+;;
+(define (server:keep-running)
+  ;; if none running or if > 20 seconds since 
+  ;; server last used then start shutdown
+  ;; This thread waits for the server to come alive
+  (let* ((server-info (let loop ()
+                        (let ((sdat #f))
+                          (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (set! sdat *runremote*)
+                          (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (if sdat sdat
+                              (begin
+                                (sleep 4)
+                                (loop))))))
+         (iface       (car server-info))
+         (port        (cadr server-info))
+         (last-access 0)
+	 (tdb         (tasks:open-db))
+	 (spid        (tasks:server-get-server-id tdb #f iface port #f)))
+    (print "Keep-running got server pid " spid ", using iface " iface " and port " port)
+    (let loop ((count 0))
+      (thread-sleep! 4) ;; no need to do this very often
+      ;; NB// sync currently does NOT return queue-length
+      (let () ;; (queue-len (cdb:client-call server-info 'sync #t 1)))
+      ;; (print "Server running, count is " count)
+        (if (< count 1) ;; 3x3 = 9 secs aprox
+            (loop (+ count 1)))
+        
+        ;; NOTE: Get rid of this mechanism! It really is not needed...
+        (tasks:server-update-heartbeat tdb spid)
+      
+        ;; (if ;; (or (> numrunning 0) ;; stay alive for two days after last access
+        (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (set! last-access *last-db-access*)
+        (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (if (> (+ last-access
+                  ;; (* 50 60 60)    ;; 48 hrs
+                  ;; 60              ;; one minute
+                  ;; (* 60 60)       ;; one hour
+                  (* 45 60)          ;; 45 minutes, until the db deletion bug is fixed.
+                  )
+               (current-seconds))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 2 "Server continuing, seconds since last db access: " (- (current-seconds) last-access))
+              (loop 0))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Starting to shutdown the server.")
+              ;; need to delete only *my* server entry (future use)
+              (set! *time-to-exit* #t)
+              (tasks:server-deregister-self tdb (get-host-name))
+              (thread-sleep! 1)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Max cached queries was " *max-cache-size*)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Server shutdown complete. Exiting")
+              (exit)))))))
+
+;; all routes though here end in exit ...
+(define (server:launch)
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (debug:print-info 2 "Starting the standalone server")
+  (let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (debug:print 11 "server:launch hostinfo=" hostinfo)
+    (if hostinfo
+	(debug:print-info 2 "NOT starting new server, one is already running on " (car hostinfo) ":" (cadr hostinfo))
+	(if *toppath* 
+	    (let* ((th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+				       (server:run 
+					(if (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    "-"))) "Server run"))
+		   (th3 (make-thread (lambda ()(server:keep-running)) "Keep running"))
+		   )
+	      (thread-start! th2)
+	      (thread-start! th3)
+	      (set! *didsomething* #t)
+	      (thread-join! th2)
+	      )
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to setup for megatest")))
+    (exit)))
+
+(define (server:client-signal-handler signum)
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (debug:print " ... exiting ...")
+   (let ((th1 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     "") ;; do nothing for now (was flush out last call if applicable)
+			   "eat response"))
+	 (th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Received ^C, attempting clean exit. Please be patient and wait a few seconds before hitting ^C again.")
+			     (thread-sleep! 1) ;; give the flush one second to do it's stuff
+			     (debug:print 0 "       Done.")
+			     (exit 4))
+			   "exit on ^C timer")))
+     (thread-start! th2)
+     (thread-start! th1)
+     (thread-join! th2))))
+
+(define (server:client-launch)
+  (set-signal-handler! signal/int server:client-signal-handler)
+   (if (server:client-setup)
+       (debug:print-info 2 "connected as client")
+       (begin
+	 (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to connect as client")
+	 (exit))))
+

Index: server.scm
==================================================================
--- server.scm
+++ server.scm
@@ -185,11 +185,13 @@
 ;; 
 (define (server:reply return-addr query-sig success/fail result)
   (debug:print-info 11 "server:reply return-addr=" return-addr ", result=" result)
   ;; (send-message pubsock target send-more: #t)
   ;; (send-message pubsock 
-  (db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result)))
+  (case *transport-type*
+    ((fs) result)
+    ((http)(db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result)))))
 
 ;;======================================================================
 ;; C L I E N T S
 ;;======================================================================
 
@@ -258,49 +260,58 @@
 	(begin
 	  (debug:print-info 2 "Failed to login or connect to " iface ":" port)
 	  (set! *runremote* #f)
 	  #f))))
 
-;; Do all the connection work, start a server if not already running
+;; Do all the connection work, look up the transport type and set up the
+;; connection if required.
+;;
 (define (server:client-setup #!key (numtries 50))
   (if (not *toppath*)
       (if (not (setup-for-run))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find megatest.config, exiting")
 	    (exit))))
-  (let ((hostinfo   (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
-    (if hostinfo
-	(let ((host     (list-ref hostinfo 0))
-	      (iface    (list-ref hostinfo 1))
-	      (port     (list-ref hostinfo 2))
-	      (pid      (list-ref hostinfo 3)))
-	  (debug:print-info 2 "Setting up to connect to " hostinfo)
-	  (server:client-connect iface port)) ;; )
-	(if (> numtries 0)
-	    (let ((exe (car (argv)))
-		  (pid #f))
-	      (debug:print-info 0 "No server available, attempting to start one...")
-	      (set! pid (process-run exe (list "-server" "-" "-debug" (if (list? *verbosity*)
-	        							  (string-intersperse *verbosity* ",")
-	        							  (conc *verbosity*)))))
-	      ;; (set! pid (process-fork (lambda ()
-	      ;;   			(current-input-port  (open-input-file  "/dev/null"))
-	      ;;   			(current-output-port (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
-	      ;;   			(current-error-port  (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
-	      ;;   			(server:launch))))
-	      (let loop ((count 0))
-		(let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
-		  (if (not hostinfo)
-		      (begin
-			(debug:print-info 0 "Waiting for server pid=" pid " to start")
-			(sleep 2) ;; give server time to start
-			(if (< count 5)
-			    (loop (+ count 1)))))))
-	      ;; we are starting a server, do not try again! That can lead to 
-	      ;; recursively starting many processes!!!
-	      (server:client-setup numtries: 0))
-	    (debug:print-info 1 "Too many attempts, giving up")))))
+  (case *transport-type* 
+    ((fs)(if (not *megatest-db*)(set! *megatest-db* (open-db))))
+    ((http)
+     (let ((hostinfo   (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+       (if hostinfo
+	   (let ((host     (list-ref hostinfo 0))
+		 (iface    (list-ref hostinfo 1))
+		 (port     (list-ref hostinfo 2))
+		 (pid      (list-ref hostinfo 3)))
+	     (debug:print-info 2 "Setting up to connect to " hostinfo)
+	     (server:client-connect iface port)) ;; )
+	   (begin
+	     (debug:print 0 "ERROR: No server found, exiting")
+	     (exit)))))))
+
+;; 	   (if (> numtries 0)
+;; 	       (let ((exe (car (argv)))
+;; 		     (pid #f))
+;; 		 (debug:print-info 0 "No server available, attempting to start one...")
+;; 		 (set! pid (process-run exe (list "-server" "-" "-debug" (if (list? *verbosity*)
+;; 									     (string-intersperse *verbosity* ",")
+;; 									     (conc *verbosity*)))))
+;; 		 ;; (set! pid (process-fork (lambda ()
+;; 		 ;;   			(current-input-port  (open-input-file  "/dev/null"))
+;; 		 ;;   			(current-output-port (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+;; 		 ;;   			(current-error-port  (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+;; 		 ;;   			(server:launch))))
+;; 		 (let loop ((count 0))
+;; 		   (let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+;; 		     (if (not hostinfo)
+;; 			 (begin
+;; 			   (debug:print-info 0 "Waiting for server pid=" pid " to start")
+;; 			   (sleep 2) ;; give server time to start
+;; 			   (if (< count 5)
+;; 			       (loop (+ count 1)))))))
+;; 		 ;; we are starting a server, do not try again! That can lead to 
+;; 		 ;; recursively starting many processes!!!
+;; 		 (server:client-setup numtries: 0))
+;; 	       (debug:print-info 1 "Too many attempts, giving up")))))
 
 ;; run server:keep-running in a parallel thread to monitor that the db is being 
 ;; used and to shutdown after sometime if it is not.
 ;;
 (define (server:keep-running)

Index: tasks.scm
==================================================================
--- tasks.scm
+++ tasks.scm
@@ -61,10 +61,11 @@
 	  (sqlite3:execute mdb "CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS servers (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
                                   pid INTEGER,
                                   interface TEXT,
                                   hostname TEXT,
                                   port INTEGER,
+                                  pubport INTEGER,
                                   start_time TIMESTAMP,
                                   priority INTEGER,
                                   state TEXT,
                                   mt_version TEXT,
                                   heartbeat TIMESTAMP,
@@ -84,21 +85,22 @@
 ;;======================================================================
 ;; Server and client management
 ;;======================================================================
 
 ;; state: 'live, 'shutting-down, 'dead
-(define (tasks:server-register mdb pid interface port priority state)
+(define (tasks:server-register mdb pid interface port priority state #!key (pubport -1))
   (debug:print-info 11 "tasks:server-register " pid " " interface " " port " " priority " " state)
   (sqlite3:execute 
    mdb 
-   "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO servers (pid,hostname,port,start_time,priority,state,mt_version,heartbeat,interface)
+   "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO servers (pid,hostname,port,pubport,start_time,priority,state,mt_version,heartbeat,interface)
                              VALUES(?,  ?,       ?, strftime('%s','now'), ?, ?, ?, strftime('%s','now'),?);"
-   pid (get-host-name) port priority (conc state) megatest-version interface)
+   pid (get-host-name) port pubport priority (conc state) megatest-version interface)
   (list 
    (tasks:server-get-server-id mdb (get-host-name) interface port pid)
    interface
    port
+   pubport
    ))
 
 ;; NB// two servers with same pid on different hosts will be removed from the list if pid: is used!
 (define (tasks:server-deregister mdb hostname #!key (port #f)(pid #f)(action 'markdead))
   (debug:print-info 11 "server-deregister " hostname ", port " port ", pid " pid)
@@ -253,14 +255,14 @@
 
 
 (define (tasks:get-all-servers mdb)
   (let ((res '()))
     (sqlite3:for-each-row
-     (lambda (id pid hostname interface port start-time priority state mt-version last-update)
-       (set! res (cons (vector id pid hostname interface port start-time priority state mt-version last-update) res)))
+     (lambda (id pid hostname interface port pubport start-time priority state mt-version last-update)
+       (set! res (cons (vector id pid hostname interface port pubport start-time priority state mt-version last-update) res)))
      mdb
-     "SELECT id,pid,hostname,interface,port,start_time,priority,state,mt_version,strftime('%s','now')-heartbeat AS last_update FROM servers ORDER BY start_time DESC;")
+     "SELECT id,pid,hostname,interface,port,pubport,start_time,priority,state,mt_version,strftime('%s','now')-heartbeat AS last_update FROM servers ORDER BY start_time DESC;")
     res))
        
 
 ;;======================================================================
 ;; Tasks and Task monitors

ADDED   zmq-transport.scm
Index: zmq-transport.scm
==================================================================
--- /dev/null
+++ zmq-transport.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,550 @@
+
+;; Copyright 2006-2012, Matthew Welland.
+;; 
+;;  This program is made available under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or
+;;  greater. See the accompanying file COPYING for details.
+;; 
+;;  This program is distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the
+;;  implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+;;  PURPOSE.
+
+(require-extension (srfi 18) extras tcp s11n)
+
+(use sqlite3 srfi-1 posix regex regex-case srfi-69 hostinfo md5 message-digest)
+(import (prefix sqlite3 sqlite3:))
+
+(use zmq)
+
+(declare (unit server))
+
+(declare (uses common))
+(declare (uses db))
+(declare (uses tests))
+(declare (uses tasks)) ;; tasks are where stuff is maintained about what is running.
+
+(include "common_records.scm")
+(include "db_records.scm")
+
+;; Transition to pub --> sub with pull <-- push
+;;
+;;   1. client sends request to server via push to the pull port
+;;   2. server puts request in queue or processes immediately as appropriate
+;;   3. server puts responses from completed requests into pub port 
+;;
+;; TODO
+;;
+;; Done Tested
+;; [x]  [ ]    1. Add columns pullport pubport to servers table
+;; [x]  [ ]    2. Add rm of monitor.db if older than 11/12/2012 
+;; [x]  [ ]    3. Add create of pullport and pubport with finding of available ports
+;; [x]  [ ]    4. Add client compose of request
+;; [x]  [ ]        - name of client: testname/itempath-test_id-hostname 
+;; [x]  [ ]        - name of request: callname, params
+;; [x]  [ ]        - request key: f(clientname, callname, params)
+;; [x]  [ ]    5. Add processing of subscription hits
+;; [x]  [ ]        - done when get key 
+;; [x]  [ ]        - return results
+;; [x]  [ ]    6. Add timeout processing
+;; [x]  [ ]        - after 60 seconds
+;; [ ]  [ ]            i. check server alive, connect to new if necessary
+;; [ ]  [ ]           ii. resend request
+;; [ ]  [ ]    7. Turn self ping back on
+
+(define (server:make-server-url hostport)
+  (if (not hostport)
+      #f
+      (conc "tcp://" (car hostport) ":" (cadr hostport))))
+
+(define  *server-loop-heart-beat* (current-seconds))
+(define *heartbeat-mutex* (make-mutex))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R
+;;======================================================================
+
+(define-inline (zmqsock:get-pub  dat)(vector-ref dat 0))
+(define-inline (zmqsock:get-pull dat)(vector-ref dat 1))
+(define-inline (zmqsock:set-pub! dat s)(vector-set! dat s 0))
+(define-inline (zmqsock:set-pull! dat s)(vector-set! dat s 0))
+
+(define (server:run hostn)
+  (debug:print 2 "Attempting to start the server ...")
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, cannot start server, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let* ((zmq-sdat1       #f)
+	 (zmq-sdat2       #f)
+	 (pull-socket     #f)
+	 (pub-socket      #f)
+	 (p1              #f)
+	 (p2              #f)
+	 (zmq-sockets-dat #f)
+	 (iface           (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+			      "*" ;; (get-host-name) 
+			      hostn))
+	 (hostname        (get-host-name))
+	 (ipaddrstr       (let ((ipstr (if (string=? "-" hostn)
+					   (string-intersperse (map number->string (u8vector->list (hostname->ip hostname))) ".")
+					   #f)))
+			    (if ipstr ipstr hostname)))
+	 (last-run       0))
+    (set! zmq-sockets-dat (server:setup-ports ipaddrstr (if (args:get-arg "-port")
+			    (string->number (args:get-arg "-port"))
+							    (+ 5000 (random 1001)))))
+
+    (set! zmq-sdat1    (car   zmq-sockets-dat))
+    (set! pull-socket  (cadr  zmq-sdat1)) ;; (iface s  port)
+    (set! p1           (caddr zmq-sdat1))
+    
+    (set! zmq-sdat2    (cadr  zmq-sockets-dat))
+    (set! pub-socket   (cadr  zmq-sdat2))
+    (set! p2           (caddr zmq-sdat2))
+
+    (set! *cache-on* #t)
+
+    ;; what to do when we quit
+    ;;
+;;     (on-exit (lambda ()
+;; 	       (if (and *toppath* *server-info*)
+;; 		   (open-run-close tasks:server-deregister-self tasks:open-db (car *server-info*))
+;; 		   (let loop () 
+;; 		     (let ((queue-len 0))
+;; 		       (thread-sleep! (random 5))
+;; 		       (mutex-lock! *incoming-mutex*)
+;; 		       (set! queue-len (length *incoming-data*))
+;; 		       (mutex-unlock! *incoming-mutex*)
+;; 		       (if (> queue-len 0)
+;; 			   (begin
+;; 			     (debug:print-info 0 "Queue not flushed, waiting ...")
+;; 			     (loop))))))))
+
+    ;; The heavy lifting
+    ;;
+    ;; make-vector-record cdb packet client-sig qtype immediate query-sig params qtime
+    ;;
+    (let loop ((queue-lst '()))
+      (let* ((rawmsg (receive-message* pull-socket))
+	     (packet (db:string->obj rawmsg))
+					  (qtype  (cdb:packet-get-qtype packet)))
+				     (debug:print-info 12 "server=> received packet=" packet)
+				     (if (not (member qtype '(sync ping)))
+					 (begin
+					   (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+					   (set! *last-db-access* (current-seconds))
+					   (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)))
+	(if #t ;; (cdb:packet-get-immediate packet) ;; process immediately or put in queue
+	    (begin
+	      (open-run-close db:process-queue #f pub-socket (cons packet queue-lst))
+	      (loop '()))
+	    (loop (cons packet queue-lst)))))))
+
+;; run server:keep-running in a parallel thread to monitor that the db is being 
+;; used and to shutdown after sometime if it is not.
+;;
+(define (server:keep-running)
+  ;; if none running or if > 20 seconds since 
+  ;; server last used then start shutdown
+  ;; This thread waits for the server to come alive
+  (let* ((server-info (let loop ()
+			(let ((sdat #f))
+			  (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+			  (set! sdat *server-info*)
+			  (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+			  (if sdat sdat
+			      (begin
+				(sleep 4)
+				(loop))))))
+	 (iface       (cadr server-info))
+	 (pullport    (caddr server-info))
+	 (pubport     (cadddr server-info)) ;; id interface pullport pubport)
+	 (zmq-sockets (server:client-connect iface pullport pubport))
+	 (last-access 0))
+    (let loop ((count 0))
+      (thread-sleep! 4) ;; no need to do this very often
+      ;; NB// sync currently does NOT return queue-length
+      (let ((queue-len (cdb:client-call zmq-sockets 'sync #t 1)))
+      ;; (print "Server running, count is " count)
+	(if (< count 1) ;; 3x3 = 9 secs aprox
+	    (loop (+ count 1)))
+
+	;; NOTE: Get rid of this mechanism! It really is not needed...
+	(open-run-close tasks:server-update-heartbeat tasks:open-db (car server-info))
+
+	;; (if ;; (or (> numrunning 0) ;; stay alive for two days after last access
+	(mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+	(set! last-access *last-db-access*)
+	(mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+	(if (> (+ last-access
+		  ;; (* 50 60 60)    ;; 48 hrs
+		  ;; 60              ;; one minute
+		  ;; (* 60 60)       ;; one hour
+		  (* 45 60)          ;; 45 minutes, until the db deletion bug is fixed.
+		  )
+	       (current-seconds))
+	    (begin
+	      (debug:print-info 2 "Server continuing, seconds since last db access: " (- (current-seconds) last-access))
+	      (loop 0))
+	    (begin
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "Starting to shutdown the server.")
+	      ;; need to delete only *my* server entry (future use)
+	      (set! *time-to-exit* #t)
+	      (open-run-close tasks:server-deregister-self tasks:open-db (get-host-name))
+	      (thread-sleep! 1)
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "Max cached queries was " *max-cache-size*)
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "Server shutdown complete. Exiting")
+	      (exit)))))))
+
+(define (server:find-free-port-and-open iface s port stype #!key (trynum 50))
+  (let ((s (if s s (make-socket stype)))
+	(p (if (number? port) port 5555))
+ 	(old-handler (current-exception-handler)))
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (begin
+     (print-error-message exn)
+     (if (< portnum 9000)
+	 (begin 
+	   (print "WARNING: failed to start on portnum: " portnum ", trying next port")
+	   (thread-sleep! 0.1)
+	   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+	   (server:try-start-server ipaddrstr (+ portnum 1)))
+	 (print "ERROR: Tried and tried but could not start the server")))
+   (set! *runremote* (list ipaddrstr portnum))
+   (open-run-close tasks:remove-server-records tasks:open-db)
+   (open-run-close tasks:server-register 
+		   tasks:open-db 
+		   (current-process-id)
+		   ipaddrstr portnum 0 'live)
+   (print "INFO: Trying to start server on " ipaddrstr ":" portnum)
+   ;; This starts the spiffy server
+   (start-server port: portnum)
+   (print "INFO: server has been stopped")))
+
+(define (server:mk-signature)
+  (message-digest-string (md5-primitive) 
+			 (with-output-to-string
+			   (lambda ()
+			     (write (list (current-directory)
+					  (argv)))))))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; S E R V E R   U T I L I T I E S 
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; When using zmq this would send the message back (two step process)
+;; with spiffy or rpc this simply returns the return data to be returned
+;; 
+(define (server:reply return-addr query-sig success/fail result)
+  (debug:print-info 11 "server:reply return-addr=" return-addr ", result=" result)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock target send-more: #t)
+  ;; (send-message pubsock 
+  (db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result)))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; C L I E N T S
+;;======================================================================
+
+(define (server:get-client-signature)
+  (if *my-client-signature* *my-client-signature*
+      (let ((sig (server:mk-signature)))
+	(set! *my-client-signature* sig)
+	*my-client-signature*)))
+
+;; 
+(define (server:client-socket-connect iface port #!key (context #f)(type 'req)(subscriptions '()))
+  (debug:print-info 3 "client-connect " iface ":" port ", type=" type ", subscriptions=" subscriptions)
+  (let ((connect-ok #f)
+	(zmq-socket (if context 
+			(make-socket type context)
+			(make-socket type)))
+	(conurl     (server:make-server-url (list iface port))))
+    (if (socket? zmq-socket)
+     (begin
+	  ;; first apply subscriptions
+	  (for-each (lambda (subscription)
+		      (debug:print 2 "Subscribing to " subscription)
+		      (socket-option-set! zmq-socket 'subscribe subscription))
+		    subscriptions)
+	  (connect-socket zmq-socket conurl)
+	  zmq-socket)
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to open socket to " conurl)
+	  #f))))
+
+(define (server:client-login serverdat)
+  (max-retry-attempts 100)
+  (cdb:login serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))
+
+;; Not currently used! But, I think it *should* be used!!!
+(define (server:client-logout serverdat)
+  (let ((ok (and (socket? serverdat)
+		 (cdb:logout serverdat *toppath* (server:get-client-signature)))))
+    ;; (close-socket serverdat)
+    ok))
+
+(define (server:client-connect iface pullport pubport)
+  (let* ((push-socket (server:client-socket-connect iface pullport type: 'push))
+	 (sub-socket  (server:client-socket-connect iface pubport
+						    type: 'sub
+						    subscriptions: (list (server:get-client-signature) "all")))
+	 (zmq-sockets (vector push-socket sub-socket))
+	 (login-res   #f))
+    (set! login-res (server:client-login zmq-sockets))
+    (if (and (not (null? login-res))
+	     (car login-res))
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Logged in and connected to " iface ":" pullport "/" pubport ".")
+	  (set! *runremote* zmq-sockets)
+	  zmq-sockets)
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Failed to login or connect to " conurl)
+	  (set! *runremote* #f)
+	  #f))))
+
+;; Do all the connection work, start a server if not already running
+(define (server:client-setup #!key (numtries 50))
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (let ((hostinfo   (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (if hostinfo
+	(let ((host     (list-ref hostinfo 0))
+	      (iface    (list-ref hostinfo 1))
+	      (port     (list-ref hostinfo 2))
+          (pubport  (list-ref hostinfo 3))
+	      (pid      (list-ref hostinfo 4)))
+	  (debug:print-info 2 "Setting up to connect to " hostinfo)
+	  ;; (handle-exceptions
+	  ;;   exn
+	  ;;  (begin
+	  ;;    ;; something went wrong in connecting to the server. In this scenario it is ok
+	  ;;    ;; to try again
+	  ;;    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to open a connection to the server at: " hostinfo)
+	  ;;    (debug:print 0 "   EXCEPTION: " ((condition-property-accessor 'exn 'message) exn))
+	  ;;    (debug:print 0 "   perhaps jobs killed with -9? Removing server records")
+	  ;;    (open-run-close tasks:server-deregister tasks:open-db host pullport: pullport)
+	  ;;    (server:client-setup (- numtries 1))
+	  ;;    #f)
+	   (server:client-connect iface port pubport)) ;; )
+	(if (> numtries 0)
+	    (let ((exe (car (argv)))
+		  (pid #f))
+	      (debug:print-info 0 "No server available, attempting to start one...")
+	      ;; (set! pid (process-run exe (list "-server" "-" "-debug" (if (list? *verbosity*)
+	      ;;   							  (string-intersperse *verbosity* ",")
+	      ;;   							  (conc *verbosity*)))))
+	      (set! pid (process-fork (lambda ()
+	      ;;   			(current-input-port  (open-input-file  "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-output-port (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+	      ;;   			(current-error-port  (open-output-file "/dev/null"))
+					(server:launch)))) ;; should never get here ....
+	      (let loop ((count 0))
+		(let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+		  (if (not hostinfo)
+		      (begin
+			(debug:print-info 0 "Waiting for server pid=" pid " to start")
+			(sleep 2) ;; give server time to start
+			(if (< count 5)
+			    (loop (+ count 1)))))))
+	      ;; we are starting a server, do not try again! That can lead to 
+	      ;; recursively starting many processes!!!
+	      (server:client-setup numtries: 0))
+	    (debug:print-info 1 "Too many attempts, giving up")))))
+
+;; run server:keep-running in a parallel thread to monitor that the db is being 
+;; used and to shutdown after sometime if it is not.
+;;
+(define (server:keep-running)
+  ;; if none running or if > 20 seconds since 
+  ;; server last used then start shutdown
+  ;; This thread waits for the server to come alive
+  (let* ((server-info (let loop ()
+                        (let ((sdat #f))
+                          (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (set! sdat *runremote*)
+                          (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+                          (if sdat sdat
+                              (begin
+                                (sleep 4)
+                                (loop))))))
+         (iface       (car server-info))
+         (port        (cadr server-info))
+         (last-access 0)
+	 (tdb         (tasks:open-db))
+	 (spid        (tasks:server-get-server-id tdb #f iface port #f)))
+    (print "Keep-running got server pid " spid ", using iface " iface " and port " port)
+    (let loop ((count 0))
+      (thread-sleep! 4) ;; no need to do this very often
+      ;; NB// sync currently does NOT return queue-length
+      (let () ;; (queue-len (cdb:client-call server-info 'sync #t 1)))
+      ;; (print "Server running, count is " count)
+        (if (< count 1) ;; 3x3 = 9 secs aprox
+            (loop (+ count 1)))
+        
+        ;; NOTE: Get rid of this mechanism! It really is not needed...
+        (tasks:server-update-heartbeat tdb spid)
+      
+        ;; (if ;; (or (> numrunning 0) ;; stay alive for two days after last access
+        (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (set! last-access *last-db-access*)
+        (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+        (if (> (+ last-access
+                  ;; (* 50 60 60)    ;; 48 hrs
+                  ;; 60              ;; one minute
+                  ;; (* 60 60)       ;; one hour
+                  (* 45 60)          ;; 45 minutes, until the db deletion bug is fixed.
+                  )
+               (current-seconds))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 2 "Server continuing, seconds since last db access: " (- (current-seconds) last-access))
+              (loop 0))
+            (begin
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Starting to shutdown the server.")
+              ;; need to delete only *my* server entry (future use)
+              (set! *time-to-exit* #t)
+              (tasks:server-deregister-self tdb (get-host-name))
+              (thread-sleep! 1)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Max cached queries was " *max-cache-size*)
+              (debug:print-info 0 "Server shutdown complete. Exiting")
+              (exit)))))))
+
+;; all routes though here end in exit ...
+(define (server:launch)
+  (if (not *toppath*)
+      (if (not (setup-for-run))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: cannot find megatest.config, exiting")
+	    (exit))))
+  (debug:print-info 2 "Starting the standalone server")
+  (let ((hostinfo (open-run-close tasks:get-best-server tasks:open-db)))
+    (debug:print 11 "server:launch hostinfo=" hostinfo)
+    (if hostinfo
+	(debug:print-info 2 "NOT starting new server, one is already running on " (car hostinfo) ":" (cadr hostinfo))
+	(if *toppath* 
+	    (let* (;; (th1 (make-thread (lambda ()
+		   ;;      	       (let ((server-info #f))
+		   ;;      		 ;; wait for the server to be online and available
+		   ;;      		 (let loop ()
+		   ;;			   (debug:print-info 2 "Waiting for the server to come online before starting heartbeat")
+		   ;;      		   (thread-sleep! 2)
+		   ;;      		   (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+		   ;;      		   (set! server-info *server-info* )
+		   ;;      		   (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+		   ;;      		   (if (not server-info)(loop)))
+		   ;;			 (debug:print 2 "Server alive, starting self-ping")
+		   ;;      		 (server:self-ping server-info)
+		   ;;      		 ))
+		   ;;      	     "Self ping"))
+		   (th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+				       (server:run 
+					(if (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    (args:get-arg "-server")
+					    "-"))) "Server run"))
+		   (th3 (make-thread (lambda ()(server:keep-running)) "Keep running"))
+		   )
+	      (set! *client-non-blocking-mode* #t)
+	      ;; (thread-start! th1)
+	      (thread-start! th2)
+	      (thread-start! th3)
+	      (set! *didsomething* #t)
+	      ;; (thread-join! th3)
+	      (thread-join! th2)
+	      )
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to setup for megatest")))
+    (exit)))
+
+(define (server:client-signal-handler signum)
+  (handle-exceptions
+   exn
+   (debug:print " ... exiting ...")
+   (let ((th1 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     (if (not *received-response*)
+				 (receive-message* *runremote*))) ;; flush out last call if applicable
+			   "eat response"))
+	 (th2 (make-thread (lambda ()
+			     (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Received ^C, attempting clean exit. Please be patient and wait a few seconds before hitting ^C again.")
+			     (thread-sleep! 3) ;; give the flush three seconds to do it's stuff
+			     (debug:print 0 "       Done.")
+			     (exit 4))
+			   "exit on ^C timer")))
+     (thread-start! th2)
+     (thread-start! th1)
+     (thread-join! th2))))
+
+(define (server:client-launch)
+  (set-signal-handler! signal/int server:client-signal-handler)
+   (if (server:client-setup)
+       (debug:print-info 2 "connected as client")
+       (begin
+	 (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to connect as client")
+	 (exit))))
+
+;;======================================================================
+;; Defunct functions
+;;======================================================================
+
+;; ping a server and return number of clients or #f (if no response)
+;; NOT IN USE!
+(define (server:ping host port #!key (secs 10)(return-socket #f))
+  (cdb:use-non-blocking-mode
+   (lambda ()
+     (let* ((res #f)
+	    (th1 (make-thread
+		  (lambda ()
+		    (let* ((zmq-context (make-context 1))
+			   (zmq-socket  (server:client-connect host port context: zmq-context)))
+		      (if zmq-socket
+			  (if (server:client-login zmq-socket)
+			      (let ((numclients (cdb:num-clients zmq-socket)))
+				(if (not return-socket)
+				    (begin
+				      (server:client-logout zmq-socket)
+				      (close-socket  zmq-socket)))
+				(set! res (list #t numclients (if return-socket zmq-socket #f))))
+			      (begin
+				;; (close-socket zmq-socket)
+				(set! res (list #f "CAN'T LOGIN" #f))))
+			  (set! res (list #f "CAN'T CONNECT" #f)))))
+		  "Ping: th1"))
+	    (th2 (make-thread
+		  (lambda ()
+		    (let loop ((count 1))
+		      (debug:print-info 1 "Ping " count " server on " host " at port " port)
+		      (thread-sleep! 2)
+		      (if (< count (/ secs 2))
+			  (loop (+ count 1))))
+		    ;; (thread-terminate! th1)
+		    (set! res (list #f "TIMED OUT" #f)))
+		  "Ping: th2")))
+       (thread-start! th2)
+       (thread-start! th1)
+       (handle-exceptions
+	exn
+	(set! res (list #f "TIMED OUT" #f))
+	(thread-join! th1 secs))
+       res))))
+
+;; (define (server:self-ping server-info)
+;;   ;; server-info: server-id interface pullport pubport
+;;   (let ((iface    (list-ref server-info 1))
+;; 	(pullport (list-ref server-info 2))
+;; 	(pubport  (list-ref server-info 3)))
+;;     (server:client-connect iface pullport pubport)
+;;     (let loop ()
+;;       (thread-sleep! 2)
+;;       (cdb:client-call *runremote* 'ping #t)
+;;       (debug:print 4 "server:self-ping - I'm alive on " iface ":" pullport "/" pubport "!")
+;;       (mutex-lock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+;;       (set! *server-loop-heart-beat* (current-seconds))
+;;       (mutex-unlock! *heartbeat-mutex*)
+;;       (loop))))
+    
+(define (server:reply pubsock target query-sig success/fail result)
+  (debug:print-info 11 "server:reply target=" target ", result=" result)
+  (send-message pubsock target send-more: #t)
+  (send-message pubsock (db:obj->string (vector success/fail query-sig result))))
+