Question 1

How do I set up a signaling server for simple-peer?

Accepted Answer

Simple-peer doesn't include signaling; you must implement it yourself, typically using WebSockets or a backend service to relay 'signal' events between peers. The README shows manual examples, but for production, a custom server is essential for reliability.

Question 2

simple-peer vs PeerJS: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Simple-peer is more minimal and unopinionated, focusing solely on WebRTC connections, while PeerJS includes built-in signaling servers and higher-level abstractions. Choose simple-peer for lightweight control, PeerJS for faster setup with integrated signaling.

Question 3

How to send large files over simple-peer data channel?

Accepted Answer

You can send binary data via peer.send() with Buffer or Blob objects, but for large files, you need to manually chunk the data and handle progress tracking. Simple-peer doesn't provide built-in file transfer utilities, so error handling and resumability require extra code.

Question 4

Does simple-peer work with screen sharing in Chrome?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by passing a screen capture MediaStream from getDisplayMedia to the stream option, similar to camera streams. However, you must ensure HTTPS and user permissions, as WebRTC security restrictions apply.

Question 5

What does ERR_ICE_CONNECTION_FAILURE mean in simple-peer?

Accepted Answer

This error code indicates network issues like NAT traversal failures; it often requires configuring STUN/TURN servers in the options. The README's troubleshooting section notes that connections may fail on restrictive networks without proper relay settings.

Question 6

How to integrate simple-peer with a React app?

Accepted Answer

You can use simple-peer in React by managing peer instances in state or refs, but you must handle lifecycle events like cleanup in useEffect to prevent memory leaks. There's no official React wrapper, so integration requires custom logic for signaling and event handling.

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