perfSONAR User Q&A and Other Discussion

[Clarke Morledge <>]

The whole Bash shell-shock crisis has urged us to reconsider how we are 
deploying the pS-Performance Toolkit.

The suite of tools have proven helpful over the years, but with the 
apparent coming demise of Java as a general use platform, a lot of the 
ease of use in troubleshooting problems for novice users has lost its 
luster. Maintaining Java has become quite cumbersome and the iPhone 
restrictions are pronounced, whereas in our experience, Flash, JavaScript 
and HTML5 appear to be thriving better.  Even with efforts to load up Java 
on those systems that support it, the cut and paste capability has long 
since been broken for statistics.

There was an update regarding the status of an HTML5 front-end for the 
Network Diagnostic Tool back in July, but unless I am mistaken, I do not 
see much movement on this.

Overall, I would like to know more about any plans to move the toolkit 
tool set off of Java.  At least, it would be good to get an update on NDT.

Essentially, we are still looking for a web-based and relatively easy to 
use utility that is fairly OS independent that any novice can use from a 
desktop, laptop, or handheld device for running general purpose network 
diagnostics.  Iperf, BWCTL, etc. all are great for powerusers, but I am 
thinking more in terms of relatively simple tools for the non-geeks.

Thanks.


Clarke Morledge
College of William and Mary
Information Technology - Network Engineering
Jones Hall (Room 18)
Williamsburg VA 23187