PINGLAB - Network Monitor01 / FEATURE
Server-side checks
Probe configured public HTTP(S) websites and record statuses and response times.
ARCHIVE / WEB APP
AN EYE ON UPTIME
PINGLAB
Networks, in nostalgic color.
A nostalgic Windows XP-style uptime dashboard backed by real server-side HTTP checks and response history.
CASE FILE — 12
- STATUS
- LIVE
- YEAR
- 2026
- TYPE
- Web App
ART DIRECTION / PINGLABSTYLIZED CONCEPT MOCKUP
01
THE STARTING POINT
The idea behind it.
Track the availability of websites from a running server while presenting the data in an unexpectedly familiar desktop UI.
THE CHALLENGE
A credible uptime monitor needs real checks, history and cautious network access instead of decorative demo charts.
THE APPROACH
Pair an XP-inspired Vite/React interface hosted on Vercel with a separately deployed Node.js/Express monitor on Render.
02
WHAT WENT INTO IT
Built with intention.
02 / FEATURE
Windows XP-inspired UI
A retro desktop with title bars, network tasks and an interactive Start menu.
03 / FEATURE
History and uptime
Review check history, latency and approximate uptime based on recorded checks.
04 / FEATURE
Controlled changes
Admin-token protection for adding, removing and manually rechecking sites.
03
STATE OF THE BUILD
Where it stands.
CURRENT STATUS / LIVE
PINGLAB is online with a connected dashboard and real HTTP checks. Earlier Node.js DNS issues were diagnosed and fixed during testing.
Public uptime results can reflect rate-limiting or bot blocking, not always a true outage. Backend checks require a running Render service.
04
THE NEXT ITERATION
Never really finished.
01
Move histories to durable storage if needed
02
Add alerts for failed checks
03
Strengthen access control for private monitoring