To summarise:
It needs a test plan (what are we testing, how are we testing it, what is what we want to achieved or why are we testing), environment/s setup, scripts to execute tests, and of course who is going to participate.
Once this is done, we can think what money we need to achieve this.
Okay, here goes. Please help me flesh this plan out. Or alternately if you think its stupid, you could just tell me that. Although I would appreciate it if you were a little bit polite when you made fun of my plan.
1) What are we testing?
For the first phase I propose that we attempt a stress test of the test network WAN. This is a real world test of what we will be able to do when 2.0 launches.
2) What is our goal?
I propose a goal of 1000tps sustained for 5 minutes.
3) Why test?
First of all it will be good publicity to show what we can actually do, not just the theoretical limit. Secondly, it will provide lots of information about how the binaries behave on different machines, and how the network deals with that amount of traffic.
4) What do we need?
a) compiled binaries for windows, osx, and linux
b) instructions on how to download, intall, and start the witness_node, cli_wallet, and a python script (lets focus on getting everyone to the startup screen on cli_wallet, and take care of account creation, and transaction spamming with a script.
c) a script that will:
1c) create and unlock a wallet
2c) Import a known test private key to get a balance
3c) create an account and upgrade it to lifetime status
4c) spam transactions
5c) keep an eye on account balance
6c) withdraw vesting funds so testing can continue longer
7c) log anything that might be interesting. Both to screen and to file.
Alternately if we can set up a faucet the script can register the new accounts under a lifetime account, and our excess funds vesting will be in a centralized location.
It would be great if this script could be the interaction point for testers. Asking any required information at the beginning, and displaying any information needed. That would prevent testers from having to learn anything about the witness_node or cli_wallet
d) Lots of people to test. If installing 3 programs, and typing in a few commands sounds like something you can do, then you could help us make history.
What does everyone think? Is this a good enough starting point?
If you can help us make this test a reality please let me know. We already have binaries available, but will probably need them updated by the time we are ready to test. I can help with instructions. I could write the script, but it would take me 10 times longer than xeroc, and the final product would be 10 times worse than xerocs product would be. I will also of course help run nodes for the test. Both at home, and on some VPS's.
Xeroc. What do you think in regards to the script Idea I posted? Would you be able to donate that script to the cause, or would you want to set a price up front?
Either way if we end up doing this, please consider tipping xeroc, cube, and maqifrnswa. Please let me know if I have missed any other tip worthy contributors.