When VR-Forces starts up, it needs to connect to a DIS or HLA exercise. To do that, you need to specify at least a minimum set of configuration parameters. The VR-Forces Launcher provides a graphical user interface for specifying these parameters. It is ideal if you want to run in combined mode (one front-end and one back-end that start together) or in independent mode (front-ends and  back-end are started separately) with just one front-end and back-end.

However, if you want to run a more complex configuration of front-ends and back-ends, you will have to start them from the command-line. This is because each front-end and back-end must have a unique site ID and application number pair. The VR-Forces Launcher does not let you set the site ID or application number – it just uses default values.

 

To sum up:

Use the VR-Forces Launcher if you want to:

  • Run in combined mode.
  • Run one front-end, or one back-end, or one of each using the default site ID and application numbers.
Start VR-Forces from the command line (or a batch file) if you want to:
  • Run multiple front-ends, back-ends, or both
  • Need to specify any command-line options other than the connection parameters supported by the VR-Forces Launcher.