Getting Started

Using the Apollo Relay Server (ARS) is actually simple. ARS basically acts like a "mirror" that reflects data between Apollo clients and the Apollo Server. The following is an overview of how ARS works:

1. Install and run the Apollo Relay Server (ARS) on a computer (i.e. relay host) that is accessible by both your Apollo client application(s) and your Apollo Server via TCP/IP. This relay host can be located anywhere on the Internet and ideally it should have a static IP.
   
2. Run the Apollo Server. Select Tools->Options->Preferences and check the new "[x] Relay Server" checkbox and set the new Group Name and Server Name properties. Specify the IP and Port information for the ARS.
   
3. Do the same for your Apollo client applications that run on the remote workstations. Set your Apollo client applications to point to the IP address and Port of the new ARS running on the relay host. Typically, Apollo client/server applications would point directly to an Apollo Server by addressing the IP address and Port where the Apollo Server is running. With the ARS architecture, you now point your applications to the ARS instead.
4. You should now have both your Apollo client applications and your Apollo Server connected to the ARS. Now, when your Apollo client applications call the Apollo Server, they actually connect to the ARS which in turn re-directs the request to the specified Apollo Server. When the Apollo Server sends data back to the Apollo client, it also connects to the ARS which then relays the data packets to the requesting Apollo client application.