The configuration dialog for the server contains fields to enter the file name, magic number, port id, RMI server name and a check box to turn on/off the debug. The figure1 shows the configuration dialog, with sample values. The file name text box requires the file name with full path name and it will be validated when OK button is pressed. The button adjacent to the file name text box, when clicked opens a File chooser dialog, that’ll the choose the ‘database file’ easily. The magic number given in the database (provided by Sun Microsystems and in this case it is 257) should be entered in the magic number text box. When the db file is opened it will be validated with the magic number entered.
Figure 1,
If the debug (System.outs at the console) is needed for the server, the debug check box should be turned on. This is recommended, as it provides a means to investigate any issue if happens.
The port id text box expects a number for the port, on which the server needs to be started. It should be noted that this port specified should not be used any other applications. The error message dialog below at Figure
2, shows an example, when the port number 3005 that was specified, was being used by some other applications.
Figure 2
The RMI Server name text box expects a name that the server will be started with. The server name entered should be a simple name and should not contain any special characters. Below, the error message dialog at Figure
3, shows an example when the RMI server name with special characters was entered.
Figure 3
It should be noted that the port and RMI server name entered to start the server should be notified to the users, who wish to launch the Network Client; else they would not be able to connect.
If the server is started successfully, it will typically look like the window shown below at Figure
4.
Figure 4
