Since it is written in Java a Java capable browser is all that you need. After you make a connection to the Java server a GUI code is transferred to your local machine. The central point of our system is of course that middle tier Java server. It does not only hold Java classes which are transferred to the local clients but it also takes care about the monitoring itself. It addresses monitored computers and asks them for new data.
Communication is realized via sockets and is very simple.
We introduced also a very simple protocol for data transfer. Let's take a closer look to each part of our performance tool. Once we choose a computer's name from the list a second window appears containing all the information about the observed system. We've chosen a tabbed panel due to ease of upgrade. If we would add some new system information there are no problems with the graphical interface - we simply add a new panel.