The HL7 Simulator takes a text file with HL7 messages in it as its input. Messages from this text file are replayed as a client TCP/IP program using the LLP protocol.

The Simulator is very specific about the format of this message input file. This format requires each message to be formatted on a single line with 0x0D characters separating the segments, and a line feed (0x0A == 10 == \n) and carriage return character (0x0D == 13 == \r) sequence at the end. In an editor like notepad when word wrap is off, it appears like each message is one line in the file.

	The easiest way to get files to use the Simulator is to use the HL7 Listener.

The input file cannot be shared by two running instances of the Simulator or Listener. If multiple instances of these applications must be run, each must have its own input/output file.

	From version 3.211 and above of Chameleon the simulator is able to handle lab report messages with embedded \n (0x0A) characters in textual data. This is a valid use of the HL7 standard. However, always ensure the messages in your log file do not have embedded \0x0D characters in the textual data since this is illegal. The Simulator looks for \r\n at the end of each message in the log file.