[Linux-aus] Grant request: tinderbox / distcc host for libferris

[Ben Martin]

Hi,
  As it seems that grant requests tend to get discussed on the LA list I
thought I'd send to both. Sorry if it has annoyed anyone.

Date: June 25th, 2006

Project Name: Tinderboxing libferris

Person Resposible for Request:
Ben Martin

Aim of Project:
As part of developing libferris I have also a dejagnu testsuite. The
core expect file being over 3kloc providing 700+ tests on a libferris
install. Running all of these tests takes considerable resources both in
terms of the machine and wall time. The two primary reasons that the
suite was constructed were to perform unit testing as code was developed
and to ensure that regressions are detected. Due to the scope of
libferris the test rig needs a rather intricate setup. For example,
postgresql databases setup with correct user access permissions.

Request:
The request is for a new machine to perform automated tinderboxing and
distcc compilation on. I estimate the cost of a AMD X2 with 2Gb of RAM
built with reasonable components to be about $1850. The justification
for this selection is to use the RAM + CPU power to be able to perform
full regression test runs by taking advantage of tmpfs mount points etc.
The other facet is having a fast machine around to service distcc
requests (mainly, as you might imagine, for compiling libferris ;).

Also, with a dedicated tinderhost I can setup Xen to run the suite
inside of. With such a setup I can extend the testsuite to run tests
which might have very bad outcomes for a machine if they fail. I have
been unable to get Xen and certain X drivers to function in harmony on
my desktop machine, preventing me from pursuing this testing route.
I currently run the suite as a dedicated user ID with some other
sandboxing stuff going on. I'd like to be able to have the testsuite run
and test some commands as root without fear of bad things might happen.

A nice side benefit of the Xen approach is to allow folks to download
the testsuite image for their own "enjoyment".

Some libferris details;
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8901
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7771

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