Ping From Web

NetBurner Ping From Web Example

Overview

The Ping From Web Example demonstrates how to create a web-based network diagnostic tool using the NetBurner platform. This example creates a web server that allows users to ping remote hosts (by IP address or DNS name) through a simple HTML form interface, showcasing HTTP POST handling and network diagnostics capabilities.

Application Description

This embedded web application provides a web-based ping utility that runs on a NetBurner device. Users can enter an IP address or hostname through a web form, and the device will perform a ping operation and display the results. This example demonstrates form handling, DNS resolution, and ICMP ping functionality in an embedded environment.

Key Features

• Web-Based Interface: Simple HTML form for entering ping targets
• DNS Resolution: Supports both IP addresses and hostnames
• HTTP POST Handling: Processes form submissions using NetBurner's HTTP POST framework
• Network Diagnostics: Performs ICMP ping operations with response time measurement
• Real-Time Results: Displays ping results directly in the web browser
• Error Handling: Provides feedback for failed DNS resolution and ping timeouts

How It Works

Application Flow

1. Initialization: The UserMain() function initializes the network stack
2. Diagnostics: Enables system diagnostics for debugging (should be removed in production)
   
3. Web Server: Starts the HTTP server on port 80
4. POST Handler: Registers PingCallBack to handle form submissions to "pingpost.html"
5. Network Wait: Waits up to 5 seconds for active network connection
6. Main Loop: Enters infinite loop with 1-second delays

Ping Process

1. Form Submission: User enters IP address or hostname and submits form
2. Parameter Extraction: PingCallBack extracts the "paddr" parameter from POST data
3. DNS Resolution: Uses GetHostByName() to resolve hostname to IP address
4. Ping Execution: Calls Ping() function with 2-second timeout
5. Result Display: Shows ping response time or failure message
6. Return Navigation: Provides link back to the main ping form

Web Interface

The application serves a simple HTML form (index.html) that includes:

• Text input field for IP address or hostname
• Submit button to initiate ping
• Results are displayed on a separate page with navigation back to the form

Technical Details

Dependencies

• NBRTOS: NetBurner Real-Time Operating System
• Network Stack: Built-in TCP/IP stack with ICMP support
• HTTP Server: Integrated web server with POST handling
• DNS Client: Built-in DNS resolution functionality

Key Functions

• PingCallBack(): HTTP POST event handler that processes ping requests
• GetHostByName(): DNS resolution function
• Ping(): ICMP ping function with configurable timeout
• HtmlPostVariableListCallback: NetBurner class for handling HTTP POST variables

System Requirements

• NetBurner compatible hardware
• Network connectivity (Ethernet or WiFi depending on platform)
• NNDK (NetBurner Network Development Kit)

Usage

1. Compile: Build the application using the NetBurner development environment
2. Deploy: Load the application onto your NetBurner device
3. Connect: Ensure the device is connected to your network
4. Access: Open a web browser and navigate to the device's IP address
5. Ping: Enter an IP address or hostname in the form and click "Ping"
6. View Results: The ping results will be displayed with response time or error message

Example Usage

Successful Ping

Enter "google.com" in the form:
- Address resolved to [142.250.191.46]
- Ping Responded in 234 Ticks

Failed Ping

Enter "nonexistent.domain.com" in the form:
- Failed to resolve address

Development Notes

Production Considerations

• Remove EnableSystemDiagnostics() call for production deployments
• Consider adding input validation for the ping target field
• Implement rate limiting to prevent ping flooding
• Add authentication for administrative access
• Consider adding traceroute or other network diagnostic tools

Customization

This example can be extended to include:

• Multiple ping targets in a single request
• Ping history and statistics
• Network topology discovery
• Port scanning capabilities
• Integration with SNMP monitoring
• Automated network health checks

Security Notes

• Ping functionality can be used for network reconnaissance
• Consider restricting ping targets to specific IP ranges in production
• Implement proper input sanitization to prevent injection attacks
• Add logging for audit trails of ping requests

Console Output

When running, the application displays:

Web Application: Ping From Web
NNDK Revision: [Version Information]

Error Handling

The application handles several error conditions:

• Empty ping target: "Ping address empty"
• DNS resolution failure: "Failed to resolve address"
  
• Ping timeout/failure: "Ping Failed"
• Successful ping: "Ping Responded in X Ticks"