curl-loader needs a big WARNING message

[Edward L. <ed...@je...>]

I recently tried to use curl-loader to test a production server.  I
didn't realize (until looking at the source) that curl-loader made
kernel calls to modify the network configuration of the server it runs
on (i.e. adding static IP addresses to server and changing the routing
table).

 

I assumed that the INTERFACE, IP_ADDR_MIN and IP_ADDR_MAX worked with
definitions that already existed, vs actually making them.  Creating
these definitions is potentially VERY DANGEROUS, especially if the
program is run on a production system.  Most folks will want to run
tools like cur-loader on systems that are on the same segment as the
server they're testing.  For me, this meant running it on another
production server since we work with a hosting provider.  The resulting
curl-loader changes to the IP configuration of the machine it ran on
caused 1 week of general mayhem.

 

Suggestions:

 

1)      Add a BIG warning about IP network configuration by curl-loader

2)      Create a -changeNetworkIfNeeded option.  Without this option,
curl-loader will attempt to satisfy INTERFACE, IP_ADDR_MIN and
IP_ADDR_MAX without reconfiguring the network of the host it runs on.
If the host can't satisfy what's requested, curl-loader errors out,
telling the user to use the changeNetworkIfNeeded option to make the
test work.