[Opensim-dev] Local assets in Grid mode

[Justin Clark-Casey]

Melanie wrote:
> What I propose is a multi-step process.
> 
> 1. Remove the local assets flag and the code needed to use local 
> assets. At this time, local asset regions need to start a local
> asset server and change their grid asset server to point to 127.0.0.1.
> 
> 2. Refactor the asset loading system, providing a persistent local 
> asset cache and cleaner code paths.
> 
> Up to here, there would be no functional changes.
> 
> 3. Extend the interface to get a "asset search list", which will let 
> the region's avatars use grid assets even while in the local asset 
> region.
> 
> Melanie
> 

+1

One possible use of local asset mode is for 'security reasons'
- i.e. I don't want my assets going to a central asset service even though I'm connected to a grid.  However, leaving aside the fact that such security is questionable 
anyway (given the fact that most assets apart from scripts are sent to the viewer), I think that the current Second Life architecture makes such a thing unworkable anyway 
when a region is on a grid (as seen with the issues concerning attachments, inventory, etc when someone crosses over to a local assets region).

However, for those concerned about not losing their assets (among the other use cases Taoki talkied about), a local asset cache will make sure that doesn't happen (though 
we may well want a way of specifying that the local cache never discard certain assets).

> 
> Rhian wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>>> it's not about removing the _functionality_. I understand that there
>>> are local asset regions, and that many of them have valid reasons
>>> for using them. I am talking about removing the crufty code that
>>> makes them possible, and then using a local asset server.
>> You do have a good point there. I have been wondering why in
>> standalone we weren't using a local asset server anyway.
>>
>>> I propose to start an asset server process on the local machine,
>>> then simply specifying that in your grid configuration. That gives
>>> you the same local assets, but would allow large swathes of old code
>>> to be removed from OpenSim, allowing a proper refactor if this part
>>> of the software.
>> Please forgive me if I'm saying something stupid, but the way I read
>> it, in that situation you'd run a local asset server, which gets
>> ignored upon grid connectivity? Or do you mean (which seems logical)
>> that the local asset server is merely a pass-through server upon grid
>> connectivity?
>> If it's the latter, in a way you start distributing the asset database
>> (valid only for that simulator), which could also mean an lessening of
>> the load on the grid asset-server?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Rhian (aka Dutchie)
>> _______________________________________________
>> Opensim-dev mailing list
>> Opensim-dev at lists.berlios.de
>> https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/opensim-dev
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Opensim-dev mailing list
> Opensim-dev at lists.berlios.de
> https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/opensim-dev
> 


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