14. Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I get a Java^TM out-of-memory error?

If you get out-of-memory errors (or would like to increase the amount of memory that the server can use), add the "-mx128m" argument when running java/jre. In fact, we recommend increasing the amount of memory available to Java^TM. This allows Java^TM and the server to use up to 128 megabytes of virtual memory, if necessary. Alternatively, it is possible to edit the config.dct file to cut down on the amount of memory used by changing the number of threads allocated for each listener.

How do I start/restart and stop my Handle server?

To start the server use the following command from your hs/bin directory:

java -cp handle.jar net.handle.server.Main your_svr_dir

To stop the server you must use the kill command for unix systems. Find the process id and then 'kill process_id'.

To restart the server you must first remove the lock file that is in your svr/txns directory. Then start the server using the command above.

How do I back up my handle database?

To back up your database, copy the `handles.jdb' and `nas.jdb' files to a different file system. Frequency should be determined by server use.

See Backing Up a Server, for more information.

What version of Java^TM should I use?

Versions 1.2.2 thru 1.3.1 have been extensively tested and found to work. Versions newer than 1.3.1 have not undergone enough testing to be recommended at this time.

How do I administer (create/delete/edit) handles?

You will need to copy the `handle.jar' file (from your server download package) to the new machine, then run the command to start the handle tool. The following example of the command assumes the `handle.jar' file is in the directory where you are running the command.

java -cp handle.jar net.handle.apps.gui.hadmin.HandleTool

The command to start the tool is also provided in the `INSTALL.txt' file.

If you are only a handle administrator and you do not wish to run a server, you will need to download the server distribution and use the above command to start the tool. You can ignore the server setup instructions provided in the `INSTALL.txt' file.

See 3. Using the Handle Administration Tool, for details.

How can I move a handle service to a new server?

Copy the `handles.jdb' and `nas.jdb' files to the new server (assuming you don't want to have to recreate your existing handles). Run the SimpleSetup again, then send the new sitebndl per the instructions in the download, and your naming authority handle will be updated with the new service information. The final setup will be for you to rehome your naming authority, also described in the `INSTALL.txt' file.

Can I use a relational database to store my handles?

Yes, you can use a relational database as your store instead of the Java^TM db (.jdb) provided in the distribution. To do it, first set up your handle server by running the SimpleSetup as explained in the `INSTALL.txt' file, and then change a value in the `config.dct' file. Complete instructions are provided in the distribution in SQL_SERVER_CONFIG.txt and in 12. Using a SQL Database for Storage. The instructions assume you are knowledgeable about the relational database you intend to use.