NAME

       dpipe - bi-directional pipe command

SYNOPSIS

       dpipe [ command [ args ] ] = [ command [ args ] ]
       dpipe [ command [ args ] ] = [ command [ args ] ] [ = [ command [ args ] ] ] ...

DESCRIPTION

       dpipe  is  a general tool to run two commands diverting the standard output of the first command into the
       standard input of the second and vice-versa.  It is the bi-directional extension of the |  (pipe)  syntax
       used  by all the shells.  The = has been chosen as a metaphor of two parallel communication lines between
       the commands.  It is also possible to concatenate several tools. Intermediate programs communicate  using
       standard  input  and  standard  output  with  the  preceding tool and alternate standard input and output
       (respectively file descriptors number 3 and 4) towards the  following  tool.   If  an  intermediate  tool
       should process only the data flowing in one direction use { or } as suffix for the preceding = and prefix
       of the following one.
       This tool has been written as a tool for the Virtual Distributed Ethernet.

EXAMPLE

       dpipe a = b
       processes a and b are bidirectionally connected: stdin of a is connected to stdout of b and vice-versa
       dpipe a = b = c
       a and b are connected as above. Alternate stdin of b is connected to stdout of c and alternate stdout  of
       b to stdin of c
       dpipe a =} b }= c
       This is a cycle of pipes: stdout of a is connected to stdin of b, stdout of b with stdin of c, and stdout
       of c to stdin of a
       dpipe a =} b }={ c {= d = e
       all the notations can be mixed together.  this is a -> b -> d -> c and back to a; alternate  ports  of  d
       are connected to e

OPTIONS

       no options.

NOTICE

       Virtual  Distributed  Ethernet  is  not related in any way with www.vde.com ("Verband der Elektrotechnik,
       Elektronik und Informationstechnik" i.e. the German "Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information
       Technologies").

SEE ALSO

       vde_switch(1), vde_plug(1), vde_plug2tap(1), vdeq(1).  wirefilter(1).

AUTHOR

       VDE is a project by Renzo Davoli <renzo@cs.unibo.it>.