+ char *outbuf; /* metadata output buffer */
+ int outbufstart; /* index of first meaningful byte in output buffer */
+ int outbuflen; /* number of meaningful bytes in output buffer */
+ int outbufsize; /* number of bytes allocated to output buffer */
+
+ time_t last_ping_time; /* last time we saw some activity from the other end or pinged them */
+ time_t last_flushed_time; /* last time buffer was empty. Only meaningful if outbuflen > 0 */