NicheStack and NicheLite are both fully functional and easily portable TCP/IP stacks that contain all basic protocols for Internet-, Intranet- and LAN-connections. They are supplied as source code (ANSI-C) together with a socket API and comprehensive, detailed online documentation.

Both stacks contain the following protocols and services:

• Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
• Internet Protocol (IP)
• Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Client (DHCP-Client)
• Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP)
• Transport Control Protocol (TCP)
• User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
• NicheTask (on request)
• Nichetool: System optimization and online debugging tool

Additionally, the NicheStack also includes:

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• TELNET
• IP Multicast

Memory Requirements
The two stacks differ in some functional features and especially in different codesize: NicheLite is extremely slim and requires only about 12 kByte of code. However, it supports only one interface (Ethernet-Controller, PPP, etc.), does not allow routing or multicasting, and has only a mini-socket with BSD-subset. While NicheStack does not have these limitations, it does require more code memory: A standard application on a 32-bit processor with ARP, IP, ICMP, UDP, DHCP, TCP with a socket-API results in a code size of approximately 50 kBytes.

Overview Protocols/Services

	NicheLite Mini-IP	NicheStack
Code Size	4 kB	15 kB
UDP	X	X
IP	X	X
Routing	-	X
ICMP	X	X
ARP	X	X
Network	1 Interface	Unlimited
Multicast	-	X

	NicheLite Mini-TCP	NicheStack
Code Size	6 kB	31 kB
TCP	X	X
Sockets	Mini (BSD Subset)	Full BSD

Specific Features

• Easy integration: NicheStack and NicheLite can be used in connection with RTOS as well as being integrated in superloop systems. Special multitasking capabilities are not required.
  
  
• Versatile, flexible memory management: memory is used economically and available again immediately after use.
• Memory allocation via macros allows the adaptation to different compilers.
  
  
• RTOS-independent: both stacks provide an "Application Process Interface" for major operating systems, simplifying integration into these operating systems.
  
  
• Network interfaces: both stacks support Ethernet, Token Ring, SLIP and PPP.
  
  
• Zero-Copy-Stack: for the exchange of data between various protocol levels, a single memory buffer is used.
  The buffer is passed by reference, not copied, from one protocol level to the next,providing maximum performance with minimal memory requirement.
  
  
• 12 months support and warranty included in the package.