Connecting to a Domain

In the IDE, you can launch and connect to a domain through the IDE interface or connect to a running domain.

You can also launch a domain and Device Manager from the command line.

Launching and Connecting Using the IDE

The following procedure explains how to launch and connect to a domain through the IDE.

  1. In the REDHAWK Explorer view, right-click Target SDR and select Launch Domain…

    Launching a Domain
    Launching a Domain

    The Launch Domain Manager window is displayed:

    Launch Domain Manager Window
    Launch Domain Manager Window

  2. In the Domain Name field, enter a name.

  3. Optionally, select a Device Manager to start.

    A running Device Manager is required to launch applications.

  4. Optionally, in either the Domain Manager or Device Manager section, select a Debug Level. By default, the Debug Level is set to Info, which displays any messages at the Info level or higher: (Info, Warn, Error, and Fatal message levels). If this is the first time using REDHAWK, changing the Debug Level from Info to Debug for both the domain and Device Manager may be helpful in the learning process.

  5. Optionally, in either the Domain Manager or Device Manager section, select Arguments for the nodeBooter process. This option is provided to advanced users who are comfortable with command line options.

  6. Finally, click OK to launch and connect to the new domain.

  7. Notice that the IDE reacts to the newly launched domain:

    1. The new domain has been added to the REDHAWK Explorer view

    2. The new domain, within a short amount of time, is connected and this connection is indicated to the right of the domain name within the REDHAWK Explorer view.

    3. At least one new Console view (within the IDE) has been created. One contains a nodeBooter instance for the Domain Manager that launched and one nodeBooter instance for each Device Manager.

      Console showing the Domain Manager start up with debug logging and the available Device Manager console
      Console Showing the Domain Manager Start Up

Connecting to a Running Domain

To connect to a running domain through the IDE use the following procedure:

  1. Click the New Domain Connection button (i.e. the plus symbol) in the upper right of the REDHAWK Explorer view.

    New Domain Connection Button
    New Domain Connection Button

    The New Domain Manager dialog is displayed:

    New Domain Manager Dialog
    New Domain Manager Dialog

  2. Enter the Name Service. This is the CORBA URI of the Naming Service where the domain is registered. By default, this is populated with the value from the IDE’s preferences (set by selecting Window > Preferences, REDHAWK > Domain Connections, Default Naming Service).

  3. To specify the domain to which you want to connect, enter a domain name or click the + button and select a running domain. The domain name is the actual name of the domain in the Naming Service.

  4. Optionally, enter a different display name. The display name is used only in the IDE and does not need to match the domain name.

    • Wait for the IDE to scan the Name Service for running domains. When the button next to Display Name shows a + icon, click it and select a running domain from the list.
  5. Click one of the following options under Connection Settings:

    • Don’t connect: This adds the domain to the REDHAWK Explorer view but leaves the domain in the disconnected state. When the IDE is restarted, the domain remains in the REDHAWK Explorer and is in the disconnected state. After adding a disconnected domain to the REDHAWK Explorer view, the domain may be connected by right-clicking the domain and selecting Connect.

    • Connect Once: This adds the domain to the REDHAWK Explorer view and connects the IDE with the domain. When the REDHAWK IDE is restarted, the domain remains in the REDHAWK Explorer but is in the disconnected state.

    • Always Connect: This adds the domain to the REDHAWK Explorer view and connects the IDE with the domain. When the REDHAWK IDE is restarted, the domain remains in the REDHAWK Explorer and attempts to connect with this domain.

  6. Select Finish to close the wizard.

  7. The domain now appears in the REDHAWK Explorer view. If Connect Once or Always Connect was chosen, the domain is connected. If Don’t Connect was selected, right-click the domain and select Connect.

    Many of these options may be changed later through the Properties view.