> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/server-mode/about-the-server-mode.md).

# About the server mode

In **server mode**, Datashare operates as a centralized server-based system. Users can access the platform through a web interface, and the documents are stored and processed on Datashare's servers.

This mode offers the advantage of easy accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, as users can log in to the platform remotely. It also facilitate seamless collaboration among users, as all the documents and analysis are centralized.

## Launch configuration

Datashare is launched with `app start --mode SERVER` and you have to provide:

* The external elasticsearch index address `elasticsearchAddress`
* A Redis store address `redisAddress`
* A Redis data bus address `messageBusAddress`
* A database [JDBC URL](https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E57185_01/ESTUG/apbs02s04s01.html) `dataSourceUrl`
* The host of Datashare (used to generate batch search results URLs) `rootHost`
* An authentication mechanism and its parameters

Example:

```
docker run -ti ICIJ/datashare:version app start --mode SERVER \
    --redisAddress redis://my.redis-server.org:6379 \
    --elasticsearchAddress https://my.elastic-server.org:9200 \
    --messageBusAddress my.redis-server.org \
    --dataSourceUrl jdbc:postgresql://db-server/ds-database?user=ds-user&password=ds-password \
    --rootHost https://my.datashare-server.org
    # ... +auth parameters (see authentication providers section)
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/server-mode/about-the-server-mode.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.