SlowDash

SlowDash is a web-based platform for monitoring and controlling distributed systems, with a focus on slow controls and data acquisition systems. Originally developed for physics experiments, it provides functionality similar to Grafana but with enhanced control capabilities. Rather than implementing its own data storage, SlowDash integrates with various existing databases, devices, and control systems.

Project Goal

• Grafana-like data browser, for time-series data and ROOT-like data objects (graphs, histograms, etc.)
• LabVIEW-like visual control (graphical control panel and control logic behind it)
• Jupyter-like Python scripting

Current Status: ~70% of the initial design implemented

• Data browser mostly working
• Controls partly implemented
• Analysis part (scripting etc.) is experimental

Screenshots

Interactive Dashboard

Data Visualization

Dash-Start

For users with existing time-series data in a database and Docker Compose installed, SlowDash offers immediate visualization capabilities. Visit our "Dash Start" guide for details.

Setup and Quick Look

Docker (Linux, Mac, Windows)

Details

Prerequisites

• Git
• Docker and Docker Compose (or Docker Desktop)

1. Clone Repository (includes example projects)

git clone https://github.com/slowproj/slowdash.git

2. No Additional Setup Required

3. Launch Example Project

cd slowdash/ExampleProjects/DummyDataSource
docker compose up

4. Access the Interface

Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:18881

To stop the service:

• Press Ctrl-c in the terminal, or
• Run docker compose stop (or down to remove the container)

Local Docker Image Build

Details

Prerequisites

• Git
• Docker and Docker Compose

1. Clone Repository with Submodules

git clone https://github.com/slowproj/slowdash.git --recurse-submodules

2. Build Image

cd slowdash
docker build -t slowdash .

3. Configure and Launch Example Project

cd ExampleProjects/DummyDataSource

Edit docker-compose.yaml: change image: slowproj/slowdash to image: slowdash to use the local image.

docker compose up

4. Access the Interface

Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:18881

To stop the service:

• Press Ctrl-c in the terminal, or
• Run docker compose stop (or down to remove the container)

Native (no container) Installation

Details

Prerequisites

• Git
• Python 3.10 or higher

This installation method creates a self-contained environment in the slowdash directory, including all Python dependencies in a virtual environment. The installation can be completely removed by deleting this directory.

1. Clone Repository with Submodules

git clone https://github.com/slowproj/slowdash.git --recurse-submodules

2. Setup Environment

cd slowdash
make
source ./bin/slowdash-bashrc

3. Launch Example Project

cd ExampleProjects/DummyDataSource
slowdash --port=18881

4. Access the Interface

Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:18881

To stop the service, press Ctrl-c `in the terminal.

Documentation

• Comprehensive documentation is available on our GitHub Pages
• Additional resources on our GitHub Wiki:
  • Development Status and Updates
  • Feature Ideas - Contributions welcome!

Docker Image Options

All the example projects under slowdash/ExampleProjects can be executed with Docker Compose.

Official DockerHub Image

Available at DockerHub

docker pull slowproj/slowdash

GitHub Container Registry

Available at GitHub Packages

docker pull ghcr.io/slowproj/slowdash

Build from Source

git clone https://github.com/slowproj/slowdash.git --recurse-submodules
cd slowdash
docker build -t slowdash .