[Opensim-dev] Critical plugin check?

[Justin Clark-Casey]

Ryan McDougall wrote:
> Under many different grids/setups there are quite many situations where
> a certain plugin (DLL) may be considered critical to the correct
> operation of the system. 
> 
> If that plugin goes missing or is otherwise unsuitable, then other areas
> of the experience may fail or cause damage. Under those conditions, the
> best thing to do is for the server in question to shut down gracefully,
> and issue a warning to an admin.
> 
> For example:
> 
>  If one runs a grid with a money system, and the money module DLL is
> deleted by a careless admin, yet the grid still comes up, it could cause
> real financial problems for those on the grid.
> 
>  If one runs a serious simulation server, and the physics module missing
> or incorrect, then the simulation will be compromised.
> 
> Basically its an old argument about strictness (such as strong v. weakly
> typed languages). I don't intend to argue that OS should be strict, only
> that having the capacity to check for plugins may be useful to some
> administrators, and it might be a good thing to add.
> 
> Thoughts?

I agree - on the whole I don't think OpenSim regions should start up if 
dlls it is told to load are not present or are broken, though there 
might be some exceptions.  I think we gain more by being strict (in 
terms of highlighting the issue early and not carrying on with a 
sub-optimal or dangerous simulation) than we lose by being loose (in 
terms of not starting up if some unimportant module isn't available).

I would envisage this as part of needed enhancements to the current 
region module loading system.  Personally, I anticipate that there will 
be progress in this area within the next month/month and a half

Regards,

-- 
justincc
Justin Clark-Casey
http://justincc.wordpress.com