network plugin: Make the receive thread even faster.
[collectd.git] / src / network.c
index 34cf018..34f89d9 100644 (file)
@@ -178,12 +178,11 @@ static char         send_buffer[BUFF_SIZE];
 static char        *send_buffer_ptr;
 static int          send_buffer_fill;
 static value_list_t send_buffer_vl = VALUE_LIST_STATIC;
-static char         send_buffer_type[DATA_MAX_NAME_LEN];
 static pthread_mutex_t send_buffer_lock = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
 
 static c_avl_tree_t      *cache_tree = NULL;
 static pthread_mutex_t  cache_lock = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
-static time_t           cache_flush_last;
+static time_t           cache_flush_last = 0;
 static int              cache_flush_interval = 1800;
 
 /*
@@ -246,7 +245,7 @@ static int cache_flush (void)
        return (0);
 } /* int cache_flush */
 
-static int cache_check (const char *type, const value_list_t *vl)
+static int cache_check (const value_list_t *vl)
 {
        char key[1024];
        time_t *value = NULL;
@@ -256,7 +255,7 @@ static int cache_check (const char *type, const value_list_t *vl)
                return (-1);
 
        if (format_name (key, sizeof (key), vl->host, vl->plugin,
-                               vl->plugin_instance, type, vl->type_instance))
+                               vl->plugin_instance, vl->type, vl->type_instance))
                return (-1);
 
        pthread_mutex_lock (&cache_lock);
@@ -306,37 +305,83 @@ static int cache_check (const char *type, const value_list_t *vl)
 static int write_part_values (char **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
                const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
 {
-       part_values_t pv;
+       char *packet_ptr;
+       int packet_len;
+       int num_values;
+
+       part_header_t pkg_ph;
+       uint16_t      pkg_num_values;
+       uint8_t      *pkg_values_types;
+       value_t      *pkg_values;
+
+       int offset;
        int i;
 
-       i = 6 + (9 * vl->values_len);
-       if (*ret_buffer_len < i)
+       num_values = vl->values_len;
+       packet_len = sizeof (part_header_t) + sizeof (uint16_t)
+               + (num_values * sizeof (uint8_t))
+               + (num_values * sizeof (value_t));
+
+       if (*ret_buffer_len < packet_len)
                return (-1);
-       *ret_buffer_len -= i;
 
-       pv.head = (part_header_t *) *ret_buffer;
-       pv.num_values = (uint16_t *) (pv.head + 1);
-       pv.values_types = (uint8_t *) (pv.num_values + 1);
-       pv.values = (value_t *) (pv.values_types + vl->values_len);
-       *ret_buffer = (void *) (pv.values + vl->values_len);
+       pkg_values_types = (uint8_t *) malloc (num_values * sizeof (uint8_t));
+       if (pkg_values_types == NULL)
+       {
+               ERROR ("network plugin: write_part_values: malloc failed.");
+               return (-1);
+       }
 
-       pv.head->type = htons (TYPE_VALUES);
-       pv.head->length = htons (6 + (9 * vl->values_len));
-       *pv.num_values = htons ((uint16_t) vl->values_len);
-       
-       for (i = 0; i < vl->values_len; i++)
+       pkg_values = (value_t *) malloc (num_values * sizeof (value_t));
+       if (pkg_values == NULL)
+       {
+               free (pkg_values_types);
+               ERROR ("network plugin: write_part_values: malloc failed.");
+               return (-1);
+       }
+
+       pkg_ph.type = htons (TYPE_VALUES);
+       pkg_ph.length = htons (packet_len);
+
+       pkg_num_values = htons ((uint16_t) vl->values_len);
+
+       for (i = 0; i < num_values; i++)
        {
                if (ds->ds[i].type == DS_TYPE_COUNTER)
                {
-                       pv.values_types[i] = DS_TYPE_COUNTER;
-                       pv.values[i].counter = htonll (vl->values[i].counter);
+                       pkg_values_types[i] = DS_TYPE_COUNTER;
+                       pkg_values[i].counter = htonll (vl->values[i].counter);
                }
                else
                {
-                       pv.values_types[i] = DS_TYPE_GAUGE;
-                       pv.values[i].gauge = vl->values[i].gauge;
+                       pkg_values_types[i] = DS_TYPE_GAUGE;
+                       pkg_values[i].gauge = htond (vl->values[i].gauge);
                }
-       } /* for (values) */
+       }
+
+       /*
+        * Use `memcpy' to write everything to the buffer, because the pointer
+        * may be unaligned and some architectures, such as SPARC, can't handle
+        * that.
+        */
+       packet_ptr = *ret_buffer;
+       offset = 0;
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, &pkg_ph, sizeof (pkg_ph));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_ph);
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, &pkg_num_values, sizeof (pkg_num_values));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_num_values);
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, pkg_values_types, num_values * sizeof (uint8_t));
+       offset += num_values * sizeof (uint8_t);
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, pkg_values, num_values * sizeof (value_t));
+       offset += num_values * sizeof (value_t);
+
+       assert (offset == packet_len);
+
+       *ret_buffer = packet_ptr + packet_len;
+       *ret_buffer_len -= packet_len;
+
+       free (pkg_values_types);
+       free (pkg_values);
 
        return (0);
 } /* int write_part_values */
@@ -344,20 +389,34 @@ static int write_part_values (char **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
 static int write_part_number (char **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
                int type, uint64_t value)
 {
-       part_number_t pn;
+       char *packet_ptr;
+       int packet_len;
+
+       part_header_t pkg_head;
+       uint64_t pkg_value;
+       
+       int offset;
+
+       packet_len = sizeof (pkg_head) + sizeof (pkg_value);
 
-       if (*ret_buffer_len < 12)
+       if (*ret_buffer_len < packet_len)
                return (-1);
 
-       pn.head = (part_header_t *) *ret_buffer;
-       pn.value = (uint64_t *) (pn.head + 1);
+       pkg_head.type = htons (type);
+       pkg_head.length = htons (packet_len);
+       pkg_value = htonll (value);
+
+       packet_ptr = *ret_buffer;
+       offset = 0;
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, &pkg_head, sizeof (pkg_head));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_head);
+       memcpy (packet_ptr + offset, &pkg_value, sizeof (pkg_value));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_value);
 
-       pn.head->type = htons (type);
-       pn.head->length = htons (12);
-       *pn.value = htonll (value);
+       assert (offset == packet_len);
 
-       *ret_buffer = (char *) (pn.value + 1);
-       *ret_buffer_len -= 12;
+       *ret_buffer = packet_ptr + packet_len;
+       *ret_buffer_len -= packet_len;
 
        return (0);
 } /* int write_part_number */
@@ -365,23 +424,36 @@ static int write_part_number (char **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
 static int write_part_string (char **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
                int type, const char *str, int str_len)
 {
-       part_string_t ps;
-       int len;
+       char *buffer;
+       int buffer_len;
 
-       len = 4 + str_len + 1;
-       if (*ret_buffer_len < len)
+       uint16_t pkg_type;
+       uint16_t pkg_length;
+
+       int offset;
+
+       buffer_len = 2 * sizeof (uint16_t) + str_len + 1;
+       if (*ret_buffer_len < buffer_len)
                return (-1);
-       *ret_buffer_len -= len;
 
-       ps.head = (part_header_t *) *ret_buffer;
-       ps.value = (char *) (ps.head + 1);
+       pkg_type = htons (type);
+       pkg_length = htons (buffer_len);
+
+       buffer = *ret_buffer;
+       offset = 0;
+       memcpy (buffer + offset, (void *) &pkg_type, sizeof (pkg_type));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_type);
+       memcpy (buffer + offset, (void *) &pkg_length, sizeof (pkg_length));
+       offset += sizeof (pkg_length);
+       memcpy (buffer + offset, str, str_len);
+       offset += str_len;
+       memset (buffer + offset, '\0', 1);
+       offset += 1;
 
-       ps.head->type = htons ((uint16_t) type);
-       ps.head->length = htons ((uint16_t) str_len + 5);
-       if (str_len > 0)
-               memcpy (ps.value, str, str_len);
-       ps.value[str_len] = '\0';
-       *ret_buffer = (void *) (ps.value + (str_len + 1));
+       assert (offset == buffer_len);
+
+       *ret_buffer = buffer + buffer_len;
+       *ret_buffer_len -= buffer_len;
 
        return (0);
 } /* int write_part_string */
@@ -391,12 +463,17 @@ static int parse_part_values (void **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
 {
        char *buffer = *ret_buffer;
        int   buffer_len = *ret_buffer_len;
-       part_values_t pv;
+
+       uint16_t tmp16;
+       size_t exp_size;
        int   i;
 
-       uint16_t h_length;
-       uint16_t h_type;
-       uint16_t h_num;
+       uint16_t pkg_length;
+       uint16_t pkg_type;
+       uint16_t pkg_numval;
+
+       uint8_t *pkg_types;
+       value_t *pkg_values;
 
        if (buffer_len < (15))
        {
@@ -405,32 +482,69 @@ static int parse_part_values (void **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
                return (-1);
        }
 
-       pv.head = (part_header_t *) buffer;
-       h_length = ntohs (pv.head->length);
-       h_type = ntohs (pv.head->type);
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_type = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       assert (h_type == TYPE_VALUES);
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_length = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       pv.num_values = (uint16_t *) (pv.head + 1);
-       h_num = ntohs (*pv.num_values);
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_numval = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       if (h_num != ((h_length - 6) / 9))
+       assert (pkg_type == TYPE_VALUES);
+
+       exp_size = 3 * sizeof (uint16_t)
+               + pkg_numval * (sizeof (uint8_t) + sizeof (value_t));
+       if (buffer_len < exp_size)
        {
-               DEBUG ("`length' and `num of values' don't match");
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_values: "
+                               "Packet too short: "
+                               "Chunk of size %u expected, "
+                               "but buffer has only %i bytes left.",
+                               (unsigned int) exp_size, buffer_len);
                return (-1);
        }
 
-       pv.values_types = (uint8_t *) (pv.num_values + 1);
-       pv.values = (value_t *) (pv.values_types + h_num);
+       if (pkg_length != exp_size)
+       {
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_values: "
+                               "Length and number of values "
+                               "in the packet don't match.");
+               return (-1);
+       }
 
-       for (i = 0; i < h_num; i++)
-               if (pv.values_types[i] == DS_TYPE_COUNTER)
-                       pv.values[i].counter = ntohll (pv.values[i].counter);
+       pkg_types = (uint8_t *) malloc (pkg_numval * sizeof (uint8_t));
+       pkg_values = (value_t *) malloc (pkg_numval * sizeof (value_t));
+       if ((pkg_types == NULL) || (pkg_values == NULL))
+       {
+               sfree (pkg_types);
+               sfree (pkg_values);
+               ERROR ("network plugin: parse_part_values: malloc failed.");
+               return (-1);
+       }
 
-       *ret_buffer     = (void *) (pv.values + h_num);
-       *ret_buffer_len = buffer_len - h_length;
-       *ret_num_values = h_num;
-       *ret_values     = pv.values;
+       memcpy ((void *) pkg_types, (void *) buffer, pkg_numval * sizeof (uint8_t));
+       buffer += pkg_numval * sizeof (uint8_t);
+       memcpy ((void *) pkg_values, (void *) buffer, pkg_numval * sizeof (value_t));
+       buffer += pkg_numval * sizeof (value_t);
+
+       for (i = 0; i < pkg_numval; i++)
+       {
+               if (pkg_types[i] == DS_TYPE_COUNTER)
+                       pkg_values[i].counter = ntohll (pkg_values[i].counter);
+               else if (pkg_types[i] == DS_TYPE_GAUGE)
+                       pkg_values[i].gauge = ntohd (pkg_values[i].gauge);
+       }
+
+       *ret_buffer     = buffer;
+       *ret_buffer_len = buffer_len - pkg_length;
+       *ret_num_values = pkg_numval;
+       *ret_values     = pkg_values;
+
+       sfree (pkg_types);
 
        return (0);
 } /* int parse_part_values */
@@ -438,21 +552,40 @@ static int parse_part_values (void **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
 static int parse_part_number (void **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
                uint64_t *value)
 {
-       part_number_t pn;
-       uint16_t len;
+       char *buffer = *ret_buffer;
+       int buffer_len = *ret_buffer_len;
 
-       pn.head = (part_header_t *) *ret_buffer;
-       pn.value = (uint64_t *) (pn.head + 1);
+       uint16_t tmp16;
+       uint64_t tmp64;
+       size_t exp_size = 2 * sizeof (uint16_t) + sizeof (uint64_t);
 
-       len = ntohs (pn.head->length);
-       if (len != 12)
-               return (-1);
-       if (len > *ret_buffer_len)
+       uint16_t pkg_length;
+       uint16_t pkg_type;
+
+       if (buffer_len < exp_size)
+       {
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_number: "
+                               "Packet too short: "
+                               "Chunk of size %u expected, "
+                               "but buffer has only %i bytes left.",
+                               (unsigned int) exp_size, buffer_len);
                return (-1);
-       *value = ntohll (*pn.value);
+       }
+
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_type = ntohs (tmp16);
+
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_length = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       *ret_buffer = (void *) (pn.value + 1);
-       *ret_buffer_len -= len;
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp64, buffer, sizeof (tmp64));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp64);
+       *value = ntohll (tmp64);
+
+       *ret_buffer = buffer;
+       *ret_buffer_len = buffer_len - pkg_length;
 
        return (0);
 } /* int parse_part_number */
@@ -462,195 +595,219 @@ static int parse_part_string (void **ret_buffer, int *ret_buffer_len,
 {
        char *buffer = *ret_buffer;
        int   buffer_len = *ret_buffer_len;
-       part_string_t ps;
 
-       uint16_t h_length;
-       uint16_t h_type;
+       uint16_t tmp16;
+       size_t header_size = 2 * sizeof (uint16_t);
 
-       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_part_string: ret_buffer = %p;"
-                       " ret_buffer_len = %i; output = %p; output_len = %i;",
-                       *ret_buffer, *ret_buffer_len,
-                       (void *) output, output_len);
+       uint16_t pkg_length;
+       uint16_t pkg_type;
 
-       ps.head = (part_header_t *) buffer;
+       if (buffer_len < header_size)
+       {
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_string: "
+                               "Packet too short: "
+                               "Chunk of at least size %u expected, "
+                               "but buffer has only %i bytes left.",
+                               (unsigned int) header_size, buffer_len);
+               return (-1);
+       }
 
-       h_length = ntohs (ps.head->length);
-       h_type = ntohs (ps.head->type);
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_type = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_part_string: length = %hu; type = %hu;",
-                       h_length, h_type);
+       memcpy ((void *) &tmp16, buffer, sizeof (tmp16));
+       buffer += sizeof (tmp16);
+       pkg_length = ntohs (tmp16);
 
-       if (buffer_len < h_length)
+       /* Check that packet fits in the input buffer */
+       if (pkg_length > buffer_len)
        {
-               DEBUG ("packet is too short");
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_string: "
+                               "Packet too big: "
+                               "Chunk of size %hu received, "
+                               "but buffer has only %i bytes left.",
+                               pkg_length, buffer_len);
                return (-1);
        }
-       assert ((h_type == TYPE_HOST)
-                       || (h_type == TYPE_PLUGIN)
-                       || (h_type == TYPE_PLUGIN_INSTANCE)
-                       || (h_type == TYPE_TYPE)
-                       || (h_type == TYPE_TYPE_INSTANCE)
-                       || (h_type == TYPE_MESSAGE));
-
-       ps.value = buffer + 4;
-       if (ps.value[h_length - 5] != '\0')
+
+       /* Check that pkg_length is in the valid range */
+       if (pkg_length <= header_size)
        {
-               DEBUG ("String does not end with a nullbyte");
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_string: "
+                               "Packet too short: "
+                               "Header claims this packet is only %hu "
+                               "bytes long.", pkg_length);
                return (-1);
        }
 
-       if (output_len < (h_length - 4))
+       /* Check that the package data fits into the output buffer.
+        * The previous if-statement ensures that:
+        * `pkg_length > header_size' */
+       if ((pkg_length - header_size) > output_len)
        {
-               DEBUG ("output buffer is too small");
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_string: "
+                               "Output buffer too small.");
                return (-1);
        }
-       strcpy (output, ps.value);
 
-       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_part_string: output = %s", output);
+       /* All sanity checks successfull, let's copy the data over */
+       output_len = pkg_length - header_size;
+       memcpy ((void *) output, (void *) buffer, output_len);
+       buffer += output_len;
+
+       /* For some very weird reason '\0' doesn't do the trick on SPARC in
+        * this statement. */
+       if (output[output_len - 1] != 0)
+       {
+               WARNING ("network plugin: parse_part_string: "
+                               "Received string does not end "
+                               "with a NULL-byte.");
+               return (-1);
+       }
 
-       *ret_buffer = (void *) (buffer + h_length);
-       *ret_buffer_len = buffer_len - h_length;
+       *ret_buffer = buffer;
+       *ret_buffer_len = buffer_len - pkg_length;
 
        return (0);
 } /* int parse_part_string */
 
 static int parse_packet (void *buffer, int buffer_len)
 {
-       part_header_t *header;
        int status;
 
        value_list_t vl = VALUE_LIST_INIT;
-       char type[DATA_MAX_NAME_LEN];
        notification_t n;
 
        DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: buffer = %p; buffer_len = %i;",
                        buffer, buffer_len);
 
        memset (&vl, '\0', sizeof (vl));
-       memset (&type, '\0', sizeof (type));
        memset (&n, '\0', sizeof (n));
        status = 0;
 
        while ((status == 0) && (0 < buffer_len)
                        && ((unsigned int) buffer_len > sizeof (part_header_t)))
        {
-               header = (part_header_t *) buffer;
+               uint16_t pkg_length;
+               uint16_t pkg_type;
+
+               memcpy ((void *) &pkg_type,
+                               (void *) buffer,
+                               sizeof (pkg_type));
+               memcpy ((void *) &pkg_length,
+                               (void *) (buffer + sizeof (pkg_type)),
+                               sizeof (pkg_length));
 
-               if (ntohs (header->length) > buffer_len)
+               pkg_length = ntohs (pkg_length);
+               pkg_type = ntohs (pkg_type);
+
+               if (pkg_length > buffer_len)
                        break;
-               /* Assure that this loop terminates eventually */
-               if (ntohs (header->length) < 4)
+               /* Ensure that this loop terminates eventually */
+               if (pkg_length < (2 * sizeof (uint16_t)))
                        break;
 
-               if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_VALUES)
+               if (pkg_type == TYPE_VALUES)
                {
                        status = parse_part_values (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        &vl.values, &vl.values_len);
 
                        if (status != 0)
-                       {
-                               DEBUG ("parse_part_values failed.");
                                break;
-                       }
 
                        if ((vl.time > 0)
                                        && (strlen (vl.host) > 0)
                                        && (strlen (vl.plugin) > 0)
-                                       && (strlen (type) > 0)
-                                       && (cache_check (type, &vl) == 0))
+                                       && (strlen (vl.type) > 0)
+                                       && (cache_check (&vl) == 0))
                        {
-                               DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet:"
-                                               " dispatching values");
-                               plugin_dispatch_values (type, &vl);
+                               plugin_dispatch_values (&vl);
                        }
                        else
                        {
                                DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet:"
                                                " NOT dispatching values");
                        }
+
+                       sfree (vl.values);
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_TIME)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_TIME)
                {
                        uint64_t tmp = 0;
-                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len, &tmp);
+                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len,
+                                       &tmp);
                        if (status == 0)
                        {
                                vl.time = (time_t) tmp;
                                n.time = (time_t) tmp;
                        }
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_INTERVAL)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_INTERVAL)
                {
                        uint64_t tmp = 0;
-                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len, &tmp);
+                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len,
+                                       &tmp);
                        if (status == 0)
                                vl.interval = (int) tmp;
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_HOST)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_HOST)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        vl.host, sizeof (vl.host));
-                       strncpy (n.host, vl.host, sizeof (n.host));
-                       n.host[sizeof (n.host) - 1] = '\0';
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: vl.host = %s",
-                                       vl.host);
+                       if (status == 0)
+                               sstrncpy (n.host, vl.host, sizeof (n.host));
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_PLUGIN)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_PLUGIN)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        vl.plugin, sizeof (vl.plugin));
-                       strncpy (n.plugin, vl.plugin, sizeof (n.plugin));
-                       n.plugin[sizeof (n.plugin) - 1] = '\0';
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: vl.plugin = %s",
-                                       vl.plugin);
+                       if (status == 0)
+                               sstrncpy (n.plugin, vl.plugin,
+                                               sizeof (n.plugin));
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_PLUGIN_INSTANCE)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_PLUGIN_INSTANCE)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        vl.plugin_instance,
                                        sizeof (vl.plugin_instance));
-                       strncpy (n.plugin_instance, vl.plugin_instance,
-                                       sizeof (n.plugin_instance));
-                       n.plugin_instance[sizeof (n.plugin_instance) - 1] = '\0';
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: "
-                                       "vl.plugin_instance = %s",
-                                       vl.plugin_instance);
+                       if (status == 0)
+                               sstrncpy (n.plugin_instance,
+                                               vl.plugin_instance,
+                                               sizeof (n.plugin_instance));
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_TYPE)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_TYPE)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
-                                       type, sizeof (type));
-                       strncpy (n.type, type, sizeof (n.type));
-                       n.type[sizeof (n.type) - 1] = '\0';
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: type = %s",
-                                       type);
+                                       vl.type, sizeof (vl.type));
+                       if (status == 0)
+                               sstrncpy (n.type, vl.type, sizeof (n.type));
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_TYPE_INSTANCE)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_TYPE_INSTANCE)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        vl.type_instance,
                                        sizeof (vl.type_instance));
-                       strncpy (n.type_instance, vl.type_instance,
-                                       sizeof (n.type_instance));
-                       n.type_instance[sizeof (n.type_instance) - 1] = '\0';
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: "
-                                       "vl.type_instance = %s",
-                                       vl.type_instance);
+                       if (status == 0)
+                               sstrncpy (n.type_instance, vl.type_instance,
+                                               sizeof (n.type_instance));
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_MESSAGE)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_MESSAGE)
                {
                        status = parse_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_len,
                                        n.message, sizeof (n.message));
-                       DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: n.message = %s",
-                                       n.message);
 
-                       if ((n.severity != NOTIF_FAILURE)
+                       if (status != 0)
+                       {
+                               /* do nothing */
+                       }
+                       else if ((n.severity != NOTIF_FAILURE)
                                        && (n.severity != NOTIF_WARNING)
                                        && (n.severity != NOTIF_OKAY))
                        {
                                INFO ("network plugin: "
                                                "Ignoring notification with "
-                                               "unknown severity %s.",
+                                               "unknown severity %i.",
                                                n.severity);
                        }
                        else if (n.time <= 0)
@@ -667,29 +824,26 @@ static int parse_packet (void *buffer, int buffer_len)
                        }
                        else
                        {
-                               /*
-                                * TODO: Let this do a separate thread so that
-                                * no packets are lost if this takes too long.
-                                */
                                plugin_dispatch_notification (&n);
                        }
                }
-               else if (ntohs (header->type) == TYPE_SEVERITY)
+               else if (pkg_type == TYPE_SEVERITY)
                {
                        uint64_t tmp = 0;
-                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len, &tmp);
+                       status = parse_part_number (&buffer, &buffer_len,
+                                       &tmp);
                        if (status == 0)
                                n.severity = (int) tmp;
                }
                else
                {
                        DEBUG ("network plugin: parse_packet: Unknown part"
-                                       " type: 0x%0hx", ntohs (header->type));
-                       buffer = ((char *) buffer) + ntohs (header->length);
+                                       " type: 0x%04hx", pkg_type);
+                       buffer = ((char *) buffer) + pkg_length;
                }
        } /* while (buffer_len > sizeof (part_header_t)) */
 
-       return (0);
+       return (status);
 } /* int parse_packet */
 
 static void free_sockent (sockent_t *se)
@@ -1125,6 +1279,9 @@ static int network_receive (void)
        int i;
        int status;
 
+       receive_list_entry_t *private_list_head;
+       receive_list_entry_t *private_list_tail;
+
        if (listen_sockets_num == 0)
                network_add_listen_socket (NULL, NULL);
 
@@ -1134,6 +1291,9 @@ static int network_receive (void)
                return (-1);
        }
 
+       private_list_head = NULL;
+       private_list_tail = NULL;
+
        while (listen_loop == 0)
        {
                status = poll (listen_sockets, listen_sockets_num, -1);
@@ -1174,7 +1334,8 @@ static int network_receive (void)
                                ERROR ("network plugin: malloc failed.");
                                return (-1);
                        }
-                       memset (ent, '\0', sizeof (receive_list_entry_t));
+                       memset (ent, 0, sizeof (receive_list_entry_t));
+                       ent->next = NULL;
 
                        /* Hopefully this be optimized out by the compiler. It
                         * might help prevent stupid bugs in the future though.
@@ -1184,22 +1345,49 @@ static int network_receive (void)
                        memcpy (ent->data, buffer, buffer_len);
                        ent->data_len = buffer_len;
 
-                       pthread_mutex_lock (&receive_list_lock);
-                       if (receive_list_head == NULL)
-                       {
-                               receive_list_head = ent;
-                               receive_list_tail = ent;
-                       }
+                       if (private_list_head == NULL)
+                               private_list_head = ent;
                        else
+                               private_list_tail->next = ent;
+                       private_list_tail = ent;
+
+                       /* Do not block here. Blocking here has led to
+                        * insufficient performance in the past. */
+                       if (pthread_mutex_trylock (&receive_list_lock) == 0)
                        {
-                               receive_list_tail->next = ent;
-                               receive_list_tail = ent;
+                               if (receive_list_head == NULL)
+                                       receive_list_head = private_list_head;
+                               else
+                                       receive_list_tail->next = private_list_head;
+                               receive_list_tail = private_list_tail;
+
+                               private_list_head = NULL;
+                               private_list_tail = NULL;
+
+                               pthread_cond_signal (&receive_list_cond);
+                               pthread_mutex_unlock (&receive_list_lock);
                        }
-                       pthread_cond_signal (&receive_list_cond);
-                       pthread_mutex_unlock (&receive_list_lock);
                } /* for (listen_sockets) */
        } /* while (listen_loop == 0) */
 
+       /* Make sure everything is dispatched before exiting. */
+       if (private_list_head != NULL)
+       {
+               pthread_mutex_lock (&receive_list_lock);
+
+               if (receive_list_head == NULL)
+                       receive_list_head = private_list_head;
+               else
+                       receive_list_tail->next = private_list_head;
+               receive_list_tail = private_list_tail;
+
+               private_list_head = NULL;
+               private_list_tail = NULL;
+
+               pthread_cond_signal (&receive_list_cond);
+               pthread_mutex_unlock (&receive_list_lock);
+       }
+
        return (0);
 }
 
@@ -1238,7 +1426,7 @@ static void network_send_buffer (const char *buffer, int buffer_len)
 } /* void network_send_buffer */
 
 static int add_to_buffer (char *buffer, int buffer_size,
-               value_list_t *vl_def, char *type_def,
+               value_list_t *vl_def,
                const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
 {
        char *buffer_orig = buffer;
@@ -1248,7 +1436,7 @@ static int add_to_buffer (char *buffer, int buffer_size,
                if (write_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_size, TYPE_HOST,
                                        vl->host, strlen (vl->host)) != 0)
                        return (-1);
-               strcpy (vl_def->host, vl->host);
+               sstrncpy (vl_def->host, vl->host, sizeof (vl_def->host));
        }
 
        if (vl_def->time != vl->time)
@@ -1272,7 +1460,7 @@ static int add_to_buffer (char *buffer, int buffer_size,
                if (write_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_size, TYPE_PLUGIN,
                                        vl->plugin, strlen (vl->plugin)) != 0)
                        return (-1);
-               strcpy (vl_def->plugin, vl->plugin);
+               sstrncpy (vl_def->plugin, vl->plugin, sizeof (vl_def->plugin));
        }
 
        if (strcmp (vl_def->plugin_instance, vl->plugin_instance) != 0)
@@ -1281,15 +1469,15 @@ static int add_to_buffer (char *buffer, int buffer_size,
                                        vl->plugin_instance,
                                        strlen (vl->plugin_instance)) != 0)
                        return (-1);
-               strcpy (vl_def->plugin_instance, vl->plugin_instance);
+               sstrncpy (vl_def->plugin_instance, vl->plugin_instance, sizeof (vl_def->plugin_instance));
        }
 
-       if (strcmp (type_def, ds->type) != 0)
+       if (strcmp (vl_def->type, vl->type) != 0)
        {
                if (write_part_string (&buffer, &buffer_size, TYPE_TYPE,
-                                       ds->type, strlen (ds->type)) != 0)
+                                       vl->type, strlen (vl->type)) != 0)
                        return (-1);
-               strcpy (type_def, ds->type);
+               sstrncpy (vl_def->type, ds->type, sizeof (vl_def->type));
        }
 
        if (strcmp (vl_def->type_instance, vl->type_instance) != 0)
@@ -1298,7 +1486,7 @@ static int add_to_buffer (char *buffer, int buffer_size,
                                        vl->type_instance,
                                        strlen (vl->type_instance)) != 0)
                        return (-1);
-               strcpy (vl_def->type_instance, vl->type_instance);
+               sstrncpy (vl_def->type_instance, vl->type_instance, sizeof (vl_def->type_instance));
        }
        
        if (write_part_values (&buffer, &buffer_size, ds, vl) != 0)
@@ -1315,8 +1503,7 @@ static void flush_buffer (void)
        network_send_buffer (send_buffer, send_buffer_fill);
        send_buffer_ptr  = send_buffer;
        send_buffer_fill = 0;
-       memset (&send_buffer_vl, '\0', sizeof (send_buffer_vl));
-       memset (send_buffer_type, '\0', sizeof (send_buffer_type));
+       memset (&send_buffer_vl, 0, sizeof (send_buffer_vl));
 }
 
 static int network_write (const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
@@ -1326,7 +1513,7 @@ static int network_write (const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
        /* If the value is already in the cache, we have received it via the
         * network. We write it again if forwarding is activated. It's then in
         * the cache and should we receive it again we will ignore it. */
-       status = cache_check (ds->type, vl);
+       status = cache_check (vl);
        if ((network_config_forward == 0)
                        && (status != 0))
                return (0);
@@ -1335,7 +1522,7 @@ static int network_write (const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
 
        status = add_to_buffer (send_buffer_ptr,
                        sizeof (send_buffer) - send_buffer_fill,
-                       &send_buffer_vl, send_buffer_type,
+                       &send_buffer_vl,
                        ds, vl);
        if (status >= 0)
        {
@@ -1349,7 +1536,7 @@ static int network_write (const data_set_t *ds, const value_list_t *vl)
 
                status = add_to_buffer (send_buffer_ptr,
                                sizeof (send_buffer) - send_buffer_fill,
-                               &send_buffer_vl, send_buffer_type,
+                               &send_buffer_vl,
                                ds, vl);
 
                if (status >= 0)
@@ -1393,7 +1580,10 @@ static int network_config (const char *key, const char *val)
                fields_num = strsplit (val_cpy, fields, 3);
                if ((fields_num != 1)
                                && (fields_num != 2))
+               {
+                       sfree (val_cpy);
                        return (1);
+               }
                else if (fields_num == 2)
                {
                        if ((service = strchr (fields[1], '.')) != NULL)
@@ -1406,6 +1596,8 @@ static int network_config (const char *key, const char *val)
                        network_add_listen_socket (node, service);
                else
                        network_add_sending_socket (node, service);
+
+               sfree (val_cpy);
        }
        else if (strcasecmp ("TimeToLive", key) == 0)
        {
@@ -1549,17 +1741,24 @@ static int network_shutdown (void)
        plugin_unregister_write ("network");
        plugin_unregister_shutdown ("network");
 
+       /* Let the init function do it's move again ;) */
+       cache_flush_last = 0;
+
        return (0);
 } /* int network_shutdown */
 
 static int network_init (void)
 {
+       /* Check if we were already initialized. If so, just return - there's
+        * nothing more to do (for now, that is). */
+       if (cache_flush_last != 0)
+               return (0);
+
        plugin_register_shutdown ("network", network_shutdown);
 
        send_buffer_ptr  = send_buffer;
        send_buffer_fill = 0;
-       memset (&send_buffer_vl, '\0', sizeof (send_buffer_vl));
-       memset (send_buffer_type, '\0', sizeof (send_buffer_type));
+       memset (&send_buffer_vl, 0, sizeof (send_buffer_vl));
 
        cache_tree = c_avl_create ((int (*) (const void *, const void *)) strcmp);
        cache_flush_last = time (NULL);
@@ -1602,9 +1801,32 @@ static int network_init (void)
        return (0);
 } /* int network_init */
 
+/* 
+ * The flush option of the network plugin cannot flush individual identifiers.
+ * All the values are added to a buffer and sent when the buffer is full, the
+ * requested value may or may not be in there, it's not worth finding out. We
+ * just send the buffer if `flush'  is called - if the requested value was in
+ * there, good. If not, well, then there is nothing to flush.. -octo
+ */
+static int network_flush (int timeout, const char *identifier)
+{
+       pthread_mutex_lock (&send_buffer_lock);
+
+       if (((time (NULL) - cache_flush_last) >= timeout)
+                       && (send_buffer_fill > 0))
+       {
+               flush_buffer ();
+       }
+
+       pthread_mutex_unlock (&send_buffer_lock);
+
+       return (0);
+} /* int network_flush */
+
 void module_register (void)
 {
        plugin_register_config ("network", network_config,
                        config_keys, config_keys_num);
        plugin_register_init   ("network", network_init);
+       plugin_register_flush   ("network", network_flush);
 } /* void module_register */