Knowledge: andLinux Launcher
From andLinux
(small grammar changes plus linked to instructions to change default launcher IP & port.) |
(Extended launcher documentation) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
== Launcher == | == Launcher == | ||
| - | |||
| - | + | Depending on how you choose to configure the system during the installation process, the andLinux system will either run <tt>xfce-panel</tt> to provide an X-based start menu, or it will run a custom perl daemon program to listen to ''launcher'' requests from Windows. | |
| - | + | A set of executables is installed in your <tt>''C:\Program Files\andLinux''</tt><tt>'''\Launcher'''</tt> Windows directory. These programs include applications, like <tt>and'''Karbon'''.exe</tt> and <tt>and'''KWord'''.exe</tt>, as well as a special utility program called <tt>andCmd.exe.</tt> These launchers are run when you click their icons in the andLinux menu (installed in the system tray, if you permit it); they can also be run directly from Windows Explorer, added to the Start menu (create a shortcut), etc. | |
| - | + | === Protocol === | |
| - | + | These launcher programs communicate with the andLinux VM via a socket. By default, the launchers know that the andLinux VM will be listening at IP address 192.168.11.150, on port 81. When the andLinux system boots up, a perl script is run that listens for input on this socket. That perl script is located at <tt>/usr/local/sbin/launcher.pl,</tt> and it is hard-coded to listen on port 81. | |
| + | |||
| + | The launcher programs send a small packet of data to the perl script, containing a line like <tt>'''cmd='''some-linux-app'''&file='''some-file.</tt> The perl script decodes this and runs the appropriate command, with the file (or whatever) as command-line arguments. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Default User === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The andLinux launcher daemon runs as root by default. In order to change this user, see [[Howto: change default user]]. It is doable, but somewhat involved -- you will need about 15 minutes. | ||
Revision as of 12:03, 21 May 2008
How andLinux works...
Launcher
Depending on how you choose to configure the system during the installation process, the andLinux system will either run xfce-panel to provide an X-based start menu, or it will run a custom perl daemon program to listen to launcher requests from Windows.
A set of executables is installed in your C:\Program Files\andLinux\Launcher Windows directory. These programs include applications, like andKarbon.exe and andKWord.exe, as well as a special utility program called andCmd.exe. These launchers are run when you click their icons in the andLinux menu (installed in the system tray, if you permit it); they can also be run directly from Windows Explorer, added to the Start menu (create a shortcut), etc.
Protocol
These launcher programs communicate with the andLinux VM via a socket. By default, the launchers know that the andLinux VM will be listening at IP address 192.168.11.150, on port 81. When the andLinux system boots up, a perl script is run that listens for input on this socket. That perl script is located at /usr/local/sbin/launcher.pl, and it is hard-coded to listen on port 81.
The launcher programs send a small packet of data to the perl script, containing a line like cmd=some-linux-app&file=some-file. The perl script decodes this and runs the appropriate command, with the file (or whatever) as command-line arguments.
Default User
The andLinux launcher daemon runs as root by default. In order to change this user, see Howto: change default user. It is doable, but somewhat involved -- you will need about 15 minutes.
