Bonum Certa Men Certa

Using a Single-Board Computer to Monitor IPFS

IPFS lights-based monitoring on self-hosted SBC
IPFS lights-based monitoring on self-hosted SBC (blue is for status, green and red for upstream and downstream payloads)



Summary: IPFS is light and simple enough to run from one's home, even on a low-voltage machine, and the code below can be used as a baseline for monitoring IPFS activity 24/7




#!/usr/bin/python3
# 2019-04-22
# 2020-11-07



from blinkt import set_pixel, show from random import randint,random,shuffle,randrange from time import sleep import argparse import signal

def solid(r,g,b,s): while True: for pixel in range(8): set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) show() sleep(0.1)

def random_lights3(): while True: for pixel in range(8): r = randint(0, 255) g = randint(0, 255) b = randint(0, 255) set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) show() sleep(0.1)

def random_lights2(): while True: p=range(8) p=sorted(p, key=lambda x: random()) for pixel in p: r = randrange(0, 255, 16) g = randrange(0, 255, 16) b = randrange(0, 255, 16) set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) show() sleep(0.1)

def random_lights1(): while True: p=range(8) p=sorted(p, key=lambda x: random()) for pixel in p: r = randrange(0, 255, 8) g = randrange(0, 255, 8) b = randrange(0, 255, 8) set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) show() sleep(0.1)

def spacer(r,g,b,seconds): while True: for pixel in range(8): set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) next = (pixel+1)%8 set_pixel(next, 0, 0, 0) show() sleep(seconds)

def reversed_spacer(r,g,b,seconds): while True: for pixel in reversed(range(8)): set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) prev = (pixel-1)%8 set_pixel(prev, 0, 0, 0) show() sleep(seconds)

def cylon(r,g,b,seconds): while True: for pixel in reversed(range(8)): set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) prev = (pixel-1)%8 if prev < pixel: set_pixel(prev, 0, 0, 0) show() sleep(seconds) for pixel in range(8): set_pixel(pixel, r, g, b) next = (pixel+1)%8 if next > pixel: set_pixel(next, 0, 0, 0) show() sleep(seconds)

def pulsed_bar(r,g,b,seconds): steps=8 while True: for fade in reversed(range(steps)): r2=r*(fade+1)/steps g2=g*(fade+1)/steps b2=b*(fade+1)/steps # print (fade) for pixel in range(8): set_pixel(pixel, r2, g2, b2)

show() sleep(seconds) for fade in range(int(steps/1)): r2=r*(fade+1)/steps g2=g*(fade+1)/steps b2=b*(fade+1)/steps for pixel in range(8): set_pixel(pixel, r2, g2, b2)

show() sleep(seconds*0.5)

def ipfs(r,g,b,seconds): steps=4 # how many stages in gradient brightness=0.5 # how bright the lights will get bluebright=100 # the brightness of the blue light in the middle (0-255), albeit overriden by input dim=1 # increase to dim down the lights run = 0 # running count for periodic file access while True: # run always (until interruption) run=run+1 # first, open from files the required values, which change over time if (int(run) % 50 == 1): with open(r'~/RateIn', 'r') as f: # open from file the IN value # print(r) lines = f.read().splitlines() r=int(lines[-1]) # read the value # r=int(map(int, f.readline().split())) # prototype, for multiples (stale)

with open(r'~/RateOut', 'r') as f: # open from file OUT value # print(g) # show values, debugging lines = f.read().splitlines() g=int(lines[-1])

with open(r'~/Swarm', 'r') as f: # open from file Swarm value # print(g) # show values, debugging lines = f.read().splitlines() bluebright=int(lines[-1])/2 # print(bluebright)

for fade in reversed(range(steps)): # fade in effect # print(g2) # show values again, debugging # print(r2) r2=r*(fade+1)/steps/dim g2=g*(fade+1)/steps/dim b2=b*(fade+1)/steps/dim

# print(g2) # show values again, debugging # print(r2)

# print (fade) for pixel in range(3): # first 3 LED lights set_pixel(pixel, r2/20, (g2*brightness)+(pixel*1), b2/20)

for pixel in range(5,8): # the other/last 3 lights set_pixel(pixel, (r2*brightness)+(pixel*1), g2/20, b2/20) if (bluebright==0): set_pixel(3, 255, 255, 255) set_pixel(4, 255, 255, 255) else: set_pixel(3, 0, 0, 0) set_pixel(4, 0, 0, bluebright)

show() sleep(seconds/r*r+0.1) for fade in range(int(steps/1)): # fade out effect r2=r*(fade+1)/steps/dim g2=g*(fade+1)/steps/dim b2=b*(fade+1)/steps/dim

for pixel in range(3): set_pixel(pixel, r2/20, (g2*brightness)+(pixel*1), b2/20)

for pixel in range(5,8): set_pixel(pixel, (r2*brightness)+(pixel*1), g2/20, b2/20) set_pixel(3, 0, 0, bluebright) set_pixel(4, 0, 0, 0) show() sleep(seconds/g*g+0.1)

def flashed_bar(r,g,b,seconds): while True: for half in range(4): set_pixel(half,r,g,b) for half in range(4,8): set_pixel(half,0,0,0) show() sleep(seconds) for half in range(4,8): set_pixel(half,r,g,b) for half in range(4): set_pixel(half,0,0,0) show() sleep(seconds)

def handler(signum, frame): print("\nSignal handler called with signal", signum) exit(0)

signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, handler) signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, handler)

# read run-time options

parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Drive 'blinkt' 8-pixel display.") parser.add_argument("pattern", help="name of light pattern: \ random[1-3], spacer, reversed_spacer, cylon, pulsed_bar, flashed_bar") parser.add_argument("r", metavar="r", type=int, help="red channel, 0-255") parser.add_argument("g", metavar="g", type=int, help="green channel, 0-255") parser.add_argument("b", metavar="b", type=int, help="blue channel, 0-255") parser.add_argument("timing", metavar="s", type=float, \ help="rate of binking in seconds") options = parser.parse_args()

pattern = options.pattern.lower() r = options.r g = options.g b = options.b s = options.timing

if pattern == "solid": solid(r,b,g,s) elif pattern == "random3": random_lights3() elif pattern == "random2": random_lights2() elif pattern == "random1" or pattern == "random": random_lights1() elif pattern == "spacer": spacer(r,g,b,s) elif pattern == "reversed_spacer": reversed_spacer(r,g,b,s) elif pattern == "cylon": cylon(r,g,b,s) elif pattern == "pulsed_bar": pulsed_bar(r,g,b,s) elif pattern == "ipfs": ipfs(r,g,b,s) elif pattern == "flashed_bar": flashed_bar(r,g,b,s) else: print("Unknown pattern") exit(1)

exit(0)





Example runtime: run-blinkt-ipfs.py ipfs 0 0 0 0.00

Based on or derived from baseline blinkt scripts; requires the hardware and accompanying libraries being installed on the system.

For the code to run properly in the above form, given that it takes input from files, the IPFS values need to be periodically written to disk/card, e.g. for every minute of the day:

* * * * * ipfs stats bw | grep RateIn | cut -d ' ' -f 2 | cut -d '.' -f 1 >> ~/RateIn * * * * * ipfs stats bw | grep RateOut | cut -d ' ' -f 2 | cut -d '.' -f 1 >> ~/RateOut * * * * * ipfs swarm peers | wc -l >> ~/Swarm

These lists of numbers can, in turn, also produce status reports to be shown in IRC channels. When our git repository becomes public it'll be included (AGPLv3).

Recent Techrights' Posts

Rust People: Drain the Swap, You're Holding It Wrong
Does Rust make sense?
Slopwatch: LinuxSecurity, linuxconfig.org, and Plagiarised Phoronix
Many articles out there are nowadays fake
European Patent Office Illegally Gutting and Outsourcing Its Functions, Acting Like an Above-the-Law Commercial Business (It Won't Stop at Formalities Officers (FOs) and Classification Slop at the EPO)
breaking/violating laws and conventions
Links 19/09/2025: Lobbyist of American GAFAM Becomes Data Protection Commissioner in Europe
Links for the day
 
Links 20/09/2025: Internet Shutdowns, Media Censorship, and Climate Worries
Links for the day
About 700 New Gemini Capsules in 13 Months (or 54 Per Month)
4.8K would represent a 20% increase
Techrights the Name Turns 15
About 6 weeks from now we turn 19
Microsoft is Running Out of Time and Floating Fake Figures, Fake Projects, Fake Narratives, Fake Excuses
Also, a lot of Microsoft's "revenue" claims are circular financing (i.e. Microsoft buying from itself, which means Ponzi-like fraud)
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, September 19, 2025
IRC logs for Friday, September 19, 2025
Gemini Links 20/09/2025: Navigating the Pressures of Modern Life and SpellBinding Accidentally Wrote Another Gemini Server
Links for the day
Links 19/09/2025: Press Freedom Dying in US, Anti-Austerity Strikes in France, and Alan Rusbridger to Leave 'Prospect'
Links for the day
Offloading to the Sister Site
In the interest of not overwhelming readers
Links 19/09/2025: Coffee Club and "SpellBinding is Now Absurdly Fast"
Links for the day
Links 19/09/2025: Media Freedom Ceases to Exist in US, "Consider Dropping Twitter/X"
Links for the day
Gemini Links 19/09/2025: Thinking and Insect Bites
Links for the day
Microsoft E.E.E.: Git Will Now (or Very Soon) Fully Depend on Rust, Which is Controlled by Microsoft
Microsoft now makes Git dependent on Rust, or making Git dependent on GitHub, which is proprietary
The Right to Punch People (Apparently)
At Brett Wilson, Brett's job title is "Head of Crime" and Wilson normalises calls for violence
Slop or Fake Articles Have Turned Linux Journal From a Pioneering/Trailblazing "Linux" Magazine Into a Nuisance
some sites with former reputation - good reputation - turn into cesspools
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, September 18, 2025
IRC logs for Thursday, September 18, 2025
Brett Wilson LLP Seem to Have Had Only One Litigation Client in 2025, He Was Previously Charged, Just Like the Serial Strangler From Microsoft (Whom They Now Represent)
Karma is superstition, regulators are not
Project 2030 to Cover How "Project 2025"-Styled Anti-Media Zealots From America Targeted Techrights and Tux Machines
The common denominator is also their attacks on women
Brett Wilson LLP Failed to Meet Deadlines Set by Judge 7 Months Earlier, Tried to Ruin Our Holiday, Then Had the Audacity to Ask Us for Over 3,000 Pounds for Its Own Lateness
As a matter of principle we will never respond to assassin while we are on holiday
On Claims That After Bluewashing Red Hat Will Increasingly Become an Indian Company
Discussed this week (long and detailed)
Americans Attacking British Sites Only Months After They Leave America
We find it kind of funny if not ironic that this site, originally an American site, got legal harassment only from Americans and only months after it had moved to the UK
Despite Losing Over a Quarter Million Dollars a Year Software in the Public Interest (SPI) Gives Helping Hand to Libreboot
SPI's financial state depends a lot on its public image or its reputation
Slopwatch: Google Helps Plagiarism and Sends Traffic to Ripoff Artists
That Google as a company helps spamfarms is noteworthy
If You Want to Know the Future, Listen to the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and Andy Farnell
We're sure the FSF will have plenty of its own output
Links 18/09/2025: A Taliban Ban on Internet Access and Troubled US Job Market
Links for the day
Gemini Links 18/09/2025: Computer Literacy and Accessing Alhena's Database
Links for the day
Links 18/09/2025: US War on Media (Truth Banned, Cancel Culture by the Hard Right), NYT Chief Executive Warns Cheeto is Deploying ‘Anti-press Playbook'
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
IRC logs for Wednesday, September 17, 2025