/**
 * Connects to a Cassandra node.
 *
 * @param string $host   Host name/IP to connect to.
 * @param string $user   Username in case authentication is needed.
 * @param string $passwd Password in case authentication is needed.
 * @param string $dbname Keyspace to use upon connection.
 * @param int    $port   Port to connect to.
 *
 * @return obj The created object. FALSE if unable to connect.
 */
function cassandra_connect($host, $user = '', $passwd = '', $dbname = '', $port = 9042)
{
    $obj = new Cassandra();
    if ($obj->connect($host, $user, $passwd, $dbname, $port)) {
        return $obj;
    }
}