#2139 - Fixed unicast and broadcast functionality properly

src/primaite/simulator/system/software.py

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ import copy
 from abc import abstractmethod
 from datetime import datetime
 from enum import Enum
-from ipaddress import IPv4Address
-from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
+from ipaddress import IPv4Address, IPv4Network
+from typing import Any, Dict, Optional, Union
 
 from primaite.simulator.core import _LOGGER, RequestManager, RequestType, SimComponent
 from primaite.simulator.file_system.file_system import FileSystem, Folder
@@ -317,19 +317,22 @@ class IOSoftware(Software):
         self,
         payload: Any,
         session_id: Optional[str] = None,
-        dest_ip_address: Optional[IPv4Address] = None,
+        dest_ip_address: Optional[Union[IPv4Address, IPv4Network]] = None,
         dest_port: Optional[Port] = None,
         **kwargs,
     ) -> bool:
         """
-        Sends a payload to the SessionManager.
+        Sends a payload to the SessionManager for network transmission.
+
+        This method is responsible for initiating the process of sending network payloads. It supports both
+        unicast and Layer 3 broadcast transmissions. For broadcasts, the destination IP should be specified
+        as an IPv4Network. It delegates the actual sending process to the SoftwareManager.
 
         :param payload: The payload to be sent.
-        :param dest_ip_address: The ip address of the payload destination.
-        :param dest_port: The port of the payload destination.
-        :param session_id: The Session ID the payload is to originate from. Optional.
-
-        :return: True if successful, False otherwise.
+        :param dest_ip_address: The IP address or network (for broadcasts) of the payload destination.
+        :param dest_port: The destination port for the payload. Optional.
+        :param session_id: The Session ID from which the payload originates. Optional.
+        :return: True if the payload was successfully sent, False otherwise.
         """
         if not self._can_perform_action():
             return False