### Running A-globe

To run `A-globe`, go to the `A-globe` distribution directory (by default `\dist\`) and at the command line type the following:

| `java -jar AGlobe.jar`

`A-globe` help screen will appear, listing all command line parameters that `A-globe` accepts.

The following text will guide you through the basics of the `A-globe` system.

### Running Containers

`A-globe` agents run on one or more agent containers. All agents that share the same container are located at the same position in the virtual world. Each container can run either in server or client mode. By default, the server container runs a GIS/server service and the slave containers run GIS/client services which together take care of Topic messaging. The most common configuration is to run one master container and one or more slave containers.

To run a server container, use the following command:

| `java -jar AGlobe.jar -name <container_name> -server -gui`

To run a client container, use the following command:

| `java -jar AGlobe.jar -name <container_name> -client -gui`

Note that all containers must have unique names.

In case that your simulation requires no more than one container (the location of agents in virtual world is not important), the container can run neither in master, nor slave mode. In such case, the following command can be used to run a container:

| `java -jar AGlobe.jar -name <container_name> -gui`

### Container GUI

Every container provides a GUI which allows the user to monitor and control agents (as well as services and libraries) interactively.

(click to enlarge)

The GUI window is divided into two main parts. On the left, there's a browsable tree listing all agents, services and libraries present on the container, whereas the right part of the GUI window provides information about the currently selected (highlighted) item in the tree. The type of information displayed depends on the type of item you highlighted (agent, service, library).

#### Loading an Agent

To load an agent, open the `File` menu from the container GUI toolbar and select `Load Agent`. Alternatively, you can also use the hotkey `Alt+A`.

A dialog window will appear letting you fill in various parameters of the agent being created.

The two most important parameters are `Name prefix` and `Main Class`.

`Name prefix` - agent name in the system must be unique. The agent name will be created from the name prefix and the unique generated part. The name prefix can be left empty.
`Main class` is the name of a Java class that will be used for running the agent. Select it from the combo box.

Other parameters can be left unchanged.

A new agent will be created and it will appear in the tree of the container GUI window.

#### Removing an Agent

To remove an agent, go to the container GUI window and in the tree on the left select (highlight) the agent you want to remove. The agent information panel will appear on the right. Click on the `Kill` button located in the bottom right corner of the window.

The agent will be removed from the container.

#### Closing a Container

To close the container, open the `File` menu from the container GUI toolbar and select `Shutdown`. Alternatively, you can also use the hotkey `Alt+X`.

The container will shut down.

When the container closes, it automatically saves its current configuration to the harddisk, by default to the directory `C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\.container\<container_name>\` on windows host operating system.
When the container (of the same name) runs next time, it restores its previous configuration automatically.