ndt-users list created

[Richard Carlson <>]

All;

By now you have all seen the email exchange between Peter Van Epp and 
me.  I would like some feedback from this user community before deciding on 
a final solution to the bug Peter reported.

Internet2 is now supplying an Knoppix based Live-CD with a pre-installed 
NDT server.  I built this server using the Java 1.4.2 SDK.  As Peter 
reported the jut released NDT-3.3.12 distribution fails on some Mac 
browsers with a run-time exception.  Peter's team reported the problem and 
also supplied me with a patch (thanks Lixin).

I applied this patch to my test system, generated a 3.3.13 distribution, 
and set this up on my test system (web100.internet2.edu) again using the 
1.4.2 SDK.

Peter now reports that the Safari browser on his Mac still fails, but 
firefox and opera work on the patched system.

One possible solution to the Safari problem is to switch to the Java 1.5.0 
SDK development package.  Unfortunately, this is not a simple switch.  I 
have found that an Applet built with the 1.5.0 SDK will not run if the 
browser is using the 1.4.2 JRE.  All the user gets is a small red X in the 
applet window.

There are 2 issues that I how need to address.  (1) what SDK version should 
I use to build the Knoppix ISO?  Since this is burned onto the disk it 
needs to work for the majority of cases.  (2) should I recommend a SDK 
version for administrators who download and install the NDT tar file.

Our options are:

1) do nothing and ignore those pesky Mac users .-) [not a real option]
2) apply the patches Lixin supplied and continue to use the 1.4.2 
SDK.  [This may mean that Mac Safari users will be unable to run tests.]
3) apply the patches and upgrade to the 1.5.0 SDK.  [This will force user 
to upgrade the JRE plug-in and there needs to be a note on the NDT web page 
telling users to do that.]
4) find out what new patches are needed to make the Safari browser run with 
a 1.4.2 Applet.

Which option do you like best/worst?

Rich

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Richard A. Carlson                              e-mail: 

Network Engineer                                phone:  (734) 352-7043
Internet2                                       fax:    (734) 913-4255
1000 Oakbrook Dr; Suite 300
Ann Arbor,  MI  48104