Protobuf Lesson 2: Data Model for Multiple Message Types

1. Problem

We need multiple types of messages to communicate between client and server, in Protobuf protocol, the question is how to define the netty handler pipeline and protobuf messages?

2. Solution

Message Tunneling. Define a top level message type that can be a container of other messages. Additionally you can add an Enum. By this approach, netty handler channelRead0 method just needs to know the very top level message type, simplified.

Reference:

[1] http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7803966/netty-protobuffer-a-few-communication-messages-for-one-connection

[2] https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/protobuf/qW_OamhQaHU