Frequent Asked Questions


    1. What environment do I need to run this program?
    2. How to install it?
    3. How to run the program?
    4. Is this java program secure enough?
    5. Where can I get it?

    What environment do I need to run this program?

    Any platform that support JDK 1.0 could be used, those are Solaris 2.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT. We only completely tested our program on Solaris 2.x, partially tested on Windows 95.

    In the non-interactive mode, the requirment of the network bandwidth is very low. Although we have not tested yet, the PPP/SLIP serial connection should also work in the non-interactive mode. Interactive mode needs more bandwidth and CPU time, we suggest that this mode only be run in the LAN environment.

    How to install it?

    The whole project will be compressed into a XXXX.tar.gz file, to install it, do as follows:

    make a directory and enter it
    type:

    tar -xvf XXXX.tar.gz | gzip -d 

    This could install all files under the directory you made. The rest is simply put the
    java applet tag into any html file that you'd like the client to reference.

    How to run the program?

    Just go into the directory where all the .class file reside and type :
    	java testserver
    
    and It's done!

    Several things should be noticed before you run the program :
    The server need to be initiated along with a http server, in other words, run in a directory which can be access through the http server. This is because Java's security manager would not allow applet making any connections with hosts except the one that it comes from which happens to be our case. In addition, the URL connections must refer to a http server.

    This is kind of inconvinent when you developing java client/server program. JDK appletviewer provides a unrestricted mode which disables the function of the security manager. In addition, if the netscape is executed in the same machine as the server does, then the client also works. At the bottom line, you can always find a free http server to build a testing environment.

    Is this java program secure enough?

    It is said that there are some java security flaws due to the language design and implementation phase. So far, most of the concerns are to the applets. It means that it is insecure to view an applet without knowing how it will do to your local machine.

    This is quite different from our model in which we install a server and transfer our java applets to other's machines. If there is harm, it should be one that happens in other's machines.

    Howerver, java is still a young language comparing to C, and since it mainly appears in the internet environment, even a little flaw will cause a lot of harm. We do not put much effort on the security issues in this project. Security extensions such as Kerberos authentication should be added before this program being used in any serious business.

    Where can I get it?

    It's currently unavailable.