External testbed

This page is a work in progress!

We are working on updating the information regarding our testbed and will continue to update this page as our work progresses.

Thank you for your patience!

Technical specifications

Virtual platform

2 x Servers, XenServer release 7.6.0 (xenenterprise)
4 x Intel Xeon CPU E5-2620 0 @ 2.00GHz x 8 cores
64GB RAM, expandable up to 256GB

Storage

1 X Server, NFS
4 X Intel Xeon CPU E5-4617 0 @ 2.90GHz x 6 cores
32GB RAM, expandable to 256GB
25TB RAID5 Disk

Environments

OS: Windows 10
Access: Remote desktop.
Usage: Software evaluation.
Software:

OS: CentOS 7
Access: SSH.
Usage: Hosts database samples with the option to add additional content.
Software:

OS: CentOS 7
Access: SSH.
Usage: Archiving relational databases, SIARD
Software:

OS: Fedora 31
Access: SSH or Remote Desktop (win).
Usage: Creating, validating and viewing SIARD-packages
Software:

Database Visualization Toolkit (DBVTK) v2.3.1

Summary

Sydarkivera offers a testbed for members and collaboration partners on a national and European level where various open source tools for longterm digital preservation can be tested in a vendor-independent and controlled environment. The testbed offers possibilities for testing and evaluation of software in use as well as the collection of metrics according to certain criteria that will be defined.

Over time, Sydarkivera will create different test workflows (bash-scripts) for complete packaging of SIARD-packages, among other things and we invite others to contribute as well.

Sydarkivera currently hosts three virtual environments with pre-installed software (see below). There are also options for creating new virtual servers according to user demands and preferences. Our chosen default operating system is CentOS 7, but it's possible to install other Linux distributions if needed. We prefer to use open source software only. (The Windows server currently installed is an exception).

If you and your organization want to know more about the testbed, please contact Mårten Lindstrand, Head of IT, marten.lindstrand(at)sydarkivera.se / +46 472 39 10 07.

How to get started

Send an e-mail to helpdesk@sydarkivera.se with the following information:

For use of a pre-installed environment:

Purpose of your use
Contact details
Estimated time of usage (Ex. May 2020 - Dec 2020)
Storage requirements
Additional required/preferred software

For use of a new environment

Purpose of your use
Contact details
Estimated time of usage (Ex. May 2020 - Dec 2020)
Storage requirements
Required/preferred operating system
Required/preferred software

Once we have processed your request and prepared the environment you have requested for use we will provide you with login details for our VPN and the testbed virtual machines. Depending on your request, this can take some time. If you have any further questions or requests during the setup process, please contact us.

Newly installed software

See newly installed software in the list below. Press the button on the right to expand sections for more information.

Database Visualization Toolkit (DBVTK) v2.3.1 - 2020-03-12 ▼

Software for creating, managing, validating and browsing SIARD-packages.

We are currently using the desktop version running on Fedora 31, enabling access and management from Windows systems through Remote Desktop via XRDP.

How to connect

Contact us!
See the section above for details about how to get in touch.
Download and install Cisco AnyConnect Mobility Client (VPN).
Start the VPN client and input the login details we have provided.
Make sure to save the details for your own reference. Do not share your login details with other organizations unless specified.
Connect to the environment using Remote Desktop.
If you're using Windows, this software is pre-installed. You will most likely find it in your start menu.
When prompted, enter the login details for the testbed user profile.
These are provided to you via mail.
Start "Database Visualization Toolkit" from the Fedora desktop.
Be patient! Unless the app is already running on the machine, starting it can take up to five minutes.