This directory is used to hold:
The "ping" family of files provides an example of a self-contained experiment by demonstrating how to use the ping sample application. The file ping.config describes a network of three machines (all running on the same host for convenience of illustration only) with one of the machines including a ping application. When make is run, this file is used by makeroutes to construct the routing information for the network, which is stored in the file ping.routes. Finally, the ping.start script contains the command lines that are used to launch the network configuration, with one Java process per node. It is sourced to begin an experimental session.
The "data" family of files generalizes on the ping experiment by demonstrating how to describe a network of machines. Since its different nodes are run as processes on different machines, there is no simple start script -- you must start a process on each machine in the appropriate way for your environment. Further, you cannot use the data.config as is, since it is tied to particular hosts and their addresses.
The "join" family of files shows that it is also possible to start a local ants process that participates in an already running network. This is done by writing a configuration file that describes the local node arrangement, and starting it in the usual fashion. The configuration file need only instruct the node to use a routing file that is compatible with the rest of the network. The use of "-updateRoutes true" instructs the node to run a dynamic routing protocol that will calculate all reachable hosts. If you use this option, be patient. New routes will often take 30 seconds to learn, and failed routes 180 seconds to remove.