Announcing Omni and gcf 2.6

[Aaron Helsinger]

All -

We are happy to announce the release of Omni and gcf version 2.6.

Omni is a command line experimenter tool for use with the GENI AM API. It supports reserving resources from all GENI compliant aggregates. gcf is a set of developer tools, including an AM, which allow for testing the AM API.

Omni/gcf 2.6 is a major release, with new features in Omni and stitcher.

We recommend that anyone attending GEC20 tutorials or doing stitching update to this new version of Omni.

This release of Omni includes:
 * Omni can now interact with the GENI Clearinghouse and other Common Federation API clearinghouses to `removeslicemember`, `listprojects` and `listprojectmembers`. It can also speak version 2 of that API.
 * Omni commands should now all support the output controlling options `-o` and `--tostdout`
 * Users can retrieve their private SSH keys from the Clearinghouse, if available, using `listkeys`.
 * Omni will report when your reservations (slivers) expire, where known. In particular, Omni adds a new function `print_sliver_expirations` to query for expiration of your slivers.
  * Numerous bug fixes and small enhancements
 
The Stitcher script now supports:
 * Allow aggregates that support it to pick the VLAN tag to be used (so fewer errors and retries).
 * Store the list of aggregates used in your slice in your home directory by default, so you don't need to always run from the same directory.
 * Add new option `--fileDir` to specify a directory for all output files, allowing multiple instances to run in parallel.
 * Support GRE links in your topology: stitcher will make reservations at each aggregate required in your RSpec.
 * Clean up logging:
   * Console log messages are much more concise
   * Detailed debug logs are kept in a file "stitcher.log", with 5 backup copies kept. Use this file when reporting issues.
 * At run end, summarize expiration of your reservations at different aggregates.
 * Numerous bug fixes and small enhancements

Omni and gcf are available for download [2] with full release notes on the wiki [3].

As always, Omni users can share tips, ask questions, and report problems at: omni-...@geni.net. You can subscribe to the list at [4].

You can contact the Omni and gcf developers at: gcf...@geni.net.

Thank you!
Tom Mitchell, Aaron Helsinger, Sarah Edwards, Marshall Brinn
GPO

[1] How to use the new 'chapi' Omni framework or to update your Omni: http://trac.gpolab.bbn.com/gcf/wiki/HowTo/UseCHAPIInOmni
[2] Download gcf: http://trac.gpolab.bbn.com/gcf/
[3] gcf release notes: http://trac.gpolab.bbn.com/gcf/wiki/ReleaseNotes
[4] omni-users mailing list: http://lists.geni.net/mailman/listinfo/omni-users