= How to get started =

First, you need an account. In order to get an account please [http://www.orbit-lab.org/register register here].

A typical experiment requires the following three steps:

 * Reservation
 * Running the experiment
 * Analyzing the results

== Reservation ==

As this is a wireless testbed, it is difficult to run multiple experiments without interference. Therefore, we currently only support one experiment at a time on any of the grids. In Orbit speak, a grid is a set of nodes on which to run experiments. In the present setup, the testbed consists of a 20*20 grid of nodes, and an array of sandboxes (1*2 grids).

Reservations for any of these resources can be made [http://www.orbit-lab.org here].

Note, that a reservation is just a request. You will receive an email when your slot is approved.

== Running the Experiment ==

During your approved time slot, you will be able to log into the console of the respective grid. Currently, this requires a two step process. You first need to log into '''gateway.orbit-lab.org''' with your Orbit credentials using [http://www.openssh.com/ SSH]. From there you then can log into the console corresponding to the following table:

||Main grid || console.grid.orbit-lab.org ||
||Sandbox 1|| console.sb1.orbit-lab.org ||
||Sandbox 2|| console.sb2.orbit-lab.org ||
||Sandbox 5|| console.sb5.orbit-lab.org ||
||Sandbox 6|| console.sb6.orbit-lab.org ||

When you are logged in, you can start an experiment using [wiki:NodeHandler]. First time users are '''highly''' encouraged, to start with the built-in ''Hello World'' experiment which can be started with:

{{{
user#> nodehandler -t
}}}

This experiment will send UDP datagrams of 1024 bytes from node 1-1 to node 1-2 at 300 kbps CBR traffic. Both, sender and receiver, report measurements to a database, using our [wiki:OML OML] measurement framework.

More information on writing experiment scripts can be found in the [wiki:Tutorial Tutorial].



When 




they can log using ssh and then access the grid using their account.  

In order to run the default experiment, simply type the following at the console: 
	user# > nodehandler –t
This will launch the default tutorial experiment. The tutorial experiment uses nodes 1-1 and 1-2 on the grid. Node 1-1 sends UDP datagrams of 1024 bytes to Node 1-2 at 300 Kbps CBR. The receiver reports the measured throughput.

To run any experiment that has been defined by the user simply type the following at the console:
	user# > nodehandler  <test_script_name>
Here, “test_script_name” is the user’s own script. 
More information on running experiments is available here.


V Additional Information

a)	The ORBIT FAQ, has answers to all plausible questions. If you have any suggestions on adding additional information to the FAQ, please send email to faq@orbit-lab.org.

b)	ORBIT Overview

c)	Presentations addressing the overview, architecture and the main components of the ORBIT test-bed.
d)	A helpful description of the ORBIT Hardware Components and the ORBIT Software Components can be found here and here respectively.
e)	Publications for further references.