Update as of January 15, 2012

Wow! Everything happened in just a blink of an eye and its already January 15, 2012 and now I only have almost a week to finish my SP TT.TT and I’m not even halfway through it! TT.TT

Now here’s what I already accomplished

-84% through with the data collection

-finished with the database design

-created tables in the database

-finished with the layout

-finished with the parser

-90% through with the ‘Add Subnetwork Location’ function

 

UPDATES as of August 18, 2011

At last I was able to install the squid proxy server in my workstation and configure it such that it blocks the listed unwanted sites. I named the proxy server as SHIELA_PROXY. I already installed apache2, php 5.0, and mysql. I already created a database for the system called squigis.

Next in the list:

Access the log file by using a php file to start parsing the log file.

 

Update…To do List for the week

I already found a related research paper, here’s a link to it http://goo.gl/7G8eZ

I also made a document so that I can take note some of the important points from my readings. http://goo.gl/3DQQA

To do list for this Week:

• Revise Introduction Part of my Proposal
• Finish Methodology
• Install Apache, squid on virtual box.

 

Meeting with the Client (August 1, 2011)

Last August 1, I had a meeting with my client Mr. Ludwig Tirazona regarding the specifications of the project. After getting the specs, I had a second thought about my title. Should I change it to SquiGIS: A web-based Monitoring System for the UPLB Network? As far as the specs are concerned, ITC is leaning more on the parsing/monitoring part for the log files. Sir Ludwig even said that the GIS part is nice feature to have but it is not that relevant with respect to their needs.

 

Update Update Update….

This should’ve been my blog entry last monday…

Last Monday, I came up with a proposed title for my SP…Read some of the related articles about my topic yet I haven’t found out a journal related to my SP topic…I think I better find one to include in my review of related literature. I’m also wondering if I can use some of the articles related to GIS and squid proxy server.

Ara, Shen, and I also went to ITC but Mr. Tirazona was not around that afternoon. I think I should send Sir Ludwig an e-mail tomorrow and probably set an appointment with him for the additional specifications for the system.

Regarding the things I need, I think I have to ask for a machine where I can install squid, log file copies, list of client nodes connected to the UPLB network and any relevant data.

WHAT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WEEK: 

• Install Squid to the machine.
• Get specifications from client.
• Intro

 

Squigis: a web-based geographic information system for the UPLB network

Problem: Currently, ITC uses Squid 3.0 as the Proxy Server for the UPLB network. A proxy sever has two main functionalities in the network. The proxy server acts as an intermediary between the client and the server containing the requested resources and requests for the resources in behalf of the client, it can restrict access to undesired sites. The proxy server also provides logs which enables the network administrator(s) to monitor internet usage. As of now, ITC uses a program called Squint, a log parser which can be used to monitor the internet usage. Squint is a powerful tool but according to Sir Ludwig Tirazona, the parser is limited to monitoring its top users only so I came up with an idea of creating a web app which parses the squid log file and plot the location of the requesting client on the UPLB map. Additional information such as the time of access, ip address, number of bytes acquired, status of request, etc. will be stored in a database.

Objective: To build a system which can be used to monitor the internet usage in UPLB.

Proposed Methodology:

• Create a parser for the log file(Access the log file in pseudo-real time manner).
• Store the data extracted to a database. Use data(subnetwork locations) from ITC.
• For each location which accesses the internet resource, display a flag indicating the number of access for the given time interval. Store the data with a flag indicating that it is the currently accessed data.
• When the user clicks a location, display the resources accessed.
• Create a search box where the user can search by location, by time of access, by request status, by number of bytes, etc. User can also choose to display all the contents(apply pagination).
• Have at least 3 users(as requested by Sir Tirazona).

NOTE: Methodology still needs a lot of revisions and polishing.

Preview of what will happen if you click the location

Sorry for the image. I just edited it so that you can have a better visualization of the output.

 

Expectations

This should’ve been my first blog entry but ‘assuming’ me, I already posted some entries…Oh well, let’s see…

My adviser told us to write something about our expectations towards ourselves and towards him…Hmm…I usually hate writing expectations about something but since I have to do this, here it goes…

Hmm…What I want for myself is to give my best so that I can finish my SP earlier. I want to be more dedicated in doing my Special Problem. I want to dedicate my time reading and  searching for possible solutions to my SP. I also expect that I will be more responsible and focused on what I will be doing.

Now for my SP Adviser, Prof. Joseph Anthony C. Hermocilla, I expect that he will help us and guide us so that we can finish our SPs earlier. I hope that he will continue to be supportive and always available for consultation(^-^)…

I hope that I will enjoy my SP.Fingers crossed.(*-*)X

 

Random Thoughts

While I was at the ICS Library yesterday, I was able to contemplate a possible approach for my Special Problem…Well, I’m still on the “reading your literature” part so please bear with these ideas…\(-.-)/

PROBLEM: Given the UPLB network, map client  requests to its proper location in the UPLB map. Also allow users of the system to have an overview of the commonly accessed sites…

1. Build parser for the Squid log file.
2. Determine the IP address, requested URL ,and time of access.
3. Determine the location of the client.
4. Plot the location of the client and store the relevant information in a database.
5. Allow users to navigate in the map. If the user clicks on a particular location, display a menu to allow the user to view the data.
6. Put an alternative search bar.

DATA: location, requested resources, time of access.

RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY: This proposed system will allow the users to have an overview of the resource utilization particularly internet resource utilization in the University.

Hope that helps…fingers crossed(>.<)X

That’s all for now….

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Here are some of the articles that I am currently reading…Please recommend other nice readings…XDThank You!

-http://www.tenon.com/support/webten/papers/squidlog.shtml

-http://www.itsecurity.com/whitepaper/creating-firewall-squid-proxy-server/

-http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-linux-unix-view-squid-log-files/

-http://www.squid-cache.org/

-http://www8.org/w8-papers/5c-protocols/key/key.html

-http://whatismyipaddress.com/?gclid=CPWAq4O2-KkCFYULHAodSB_5Ww

JULY 26

Transparent proxies

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server#Transparent_proxies

Linux: Setup a transparent proxy server

-http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-setup-transparent-proxy-squid-howto.html

Geographic Information System

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_information_system

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome!

                      Hi, I am Shiela Kathleen L. Borja, BS Computer Science student from the University of the Philippines Los Banos. I am currently doing my Special Problem and in connection with that I created this to keep you posted about my progress. Please do leave comments and/or suggestions about the topics I will post. Thank you very much.