> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/gridgain8-get-started/quick-start/restapi.md).

# REST API

Install GridGain, start a cluster, and run a simple Hello World example using GridGain's REST API.

This chapter explains system requirements for running GridGain, including how to install GridGain, start a cluster, and run a simple Hello World example using GridGain's REST API.

Since GridGain is built on top of Apache Ignite, GridGain reuses Ignite's system properties, environment properties, startup scripts, etc. wherever possible.

{% hint style="info" %}
[Complimentary, Instructor-Led Developer Training - Apache Ignite Essentials](https://www.gridgain.com/products/services/training/apache-ignite-essentials)

If you are getting started with Ignite or GridGain, we recommend attending [an upcoming training session](https://www.gridgain.com/products/services/training#public-training-listing) to learn about the key design principles for building data-intensive applications.
{% endhint %}

## Prerequisites

This section describes the platform requirements for machines running GridGain. GridGain system requirements scale depending on the size of the cluster.

| Requirement | Details                                                                                              |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| JDK         | Oracle JDK 17 or later                                                                               |
| OS          | Linux (any flavor), Windows (10 and up). For Docker environment, we provide Linux docker containers. |
| ISA         | x86-64, SPARC, PowerPC                                                                               |
| Network     | No restrictions (10G recommended)                                                                    |

### (Optional) Open Ports

Depending on your environment and what your plan is, you may want to open additional ports. GridGain uses the following ports:

* 47100-47200 — ports used by GridGain nodes to communicate. Specific ports used depend on node configuration.
* 47500-47600 — ports used by GridGain nodes to discover other nodes in the network. Specific ports used depend on node configuration.
* 10800 — the port used for [thin clients](/docs/connectors/gridgain-8/clients/getting-started-with-thin-clients.md), [JDBC](/docs/connectors/gridgain-8/sql/jdbc/jdbc-driver.md) and [ODBC](/docs/connectors/gridgain-8/sql/odbc/odbc-driver.md) connections.
* 8080 — the port used for [REST API](/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/reference/rest-api.md).
* 11211 — the port used by [control script](/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/reference/cli-tool.md) calls. This port should only be opened on nodes that need to send control script messages to other nodes.

## Installing GridGain

GridGain is distributed as binary, docker, and cloud images, and via RPM/DEB. This chapter explains how to install the binary distribution.

To get started with the GridGain binary distribution:

1. Download the [GridGain binary](https://www.gridgain.com/resources/download) as a zip archive.
2. Unzip the zip archive into the installation folder in your system.
3. Move the `ignite-rest-http` folder from `{gridgain}/libs/optional` to `{gridgain}/libs` to enable the Ignite REST library for the cluster. The library is used by GridGain Control Center for cluster management and monitoring needs.
4. (Optional) Enable required [modules](/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/gridgain8-development/project-setup.md#enabling-modules).
5. (Optional) Set the `IGNITE_HOME` environment variable or Windows PATH to point to the installation folder and make sure there is no trailing `/` (or `\` for Windows) in the path.

Once that's done, you will need to enable HTTP connectivity. To do this, copy the `ignite-rest-http` module from `{gridgain_dir}/libs/optional/` to the `{gridgain_dir}/libs` folder.

## Starting a GridGain Node

Before connecting to GridGain via the REST API, you must start at least one GridGain cluster node.

You can start a GridGain node from the command line using the default configuration or by passing a custom configuration file. You can start as many nodes as you like and they will all automatically discover each other.

Navigate into the `bin` folder of GridGain installation directory from the command shell. Your command might look like this:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Unix" %}

```shell
cd {gridgain}/bin/
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}

```shell
cd {gridgain}\bin\
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

Start a node with a custom configuration file that is passed as a parameter to `ignite.sh|bat` like this:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Unix" %}

```shell
./ignite.sh ../examples/config/example-ignite.xml
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}

```shell
ignite.bat ..\examples\config\example-ignite.xml
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

You will see output similar to this:

```
[08:53:45] Ignite node started OK (id=7b30bc8e)
[08:53:45] Topology snapshot [ver=1, locNode=7b30bc8e, servers=1, clients=0, state=ACTIVE, CPUs=4, offheap=1.6GB, heap=2.0GB]
```

Open another tab from your command shell and run the same command again:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Unix" %}

```shell
./ignite.sh ../examples/config/example-ignite.xml
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}

```shell
ignite.bat ..\examples\config\example-ignite.xml
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

Check the `Topology snapshot` line in the output. Now you have a cluster of two server nodes with more CPUs and RAM available cluster-wide:

```
[08:54:34] Ignite node started OK (id=3a30b7a4)
[08:54:34] Topology snapshot [ver=2, locNode=3a30b7a4, servers=2, clients=0, state=ACTIVE, CPUs=4, offheap=3.2GB, heap=4.0GB]
```

{% hint style="info" %}
By default, `ignite.sh|bat` starts a node with the default configuration file: `config/default-config.xml`.
{% endhint %}

## Running Your First GridGain Application

Once the cluster is started, you can use the GridGain REST API to perform cache operations.

You don't need to explicitly configure anything because the connector is initialized automatically, listening on port 8080.

To verify the connector is ready, use curl:

```shell
curl "http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=version"
```

You should see a message like this:

```shell
curl "http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=version"
{"successStatus":0,"error":null,"sessionToken":null,"response":"8.10"}
```

You can see in the result that GridGain version is 8.10.

Request parameters may be provided as either a part of URL or in a form data:

```shell
curl 'http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=put&cacheName=myCache' -X POST -H 'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded' -d 'key=testKey&val=testValue'
```

Assuming that the server node is running locally, here is a simple example that creates a cache (myCache) and then puts and gets the string "Hello\_World!" from the cache via the REST API:

Create a cache:

```shell
curl "http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=getorcreate&cacheName=myCache"
```

Put data into the cache. The default type is "string" but you can specify a [data type](/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/reference/rest-api.md#data-types) via the `keyType` parameter.

```shell
curl "http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=put&key=1&val="Hello_World!"&cacheName=myCache"
```

Get the data from the cache

```shell
curl "http://localhost:8080/ignite?cmd=get&key=1&cacheName=myCache"
```

Now that you've seen a very basic example of accessing GridGain clusters via the REST API, you should probably keep the following in mind:

* This is a very basic example. You will want to read more on the REST API [here](/docs/gridgain/gridgain-8/reference/rest-api.md). That page includes a listing of the various API calls and also covers important subjects like Authentication.
* The REST interface may not be suitable for all tasks. For example, you should use one of the language clients instead if you're trying to load bulk data, or perform mission critical tasks with millisecond latency.

## Next Steps

From here, you may want to:

* Read more about using GridGain
* Use [GridGain Control Center](/docs/tools/enterprise/control-center.md) to monitor your cluster