# Setup

Regardless of platform, environment or configuration, the following set-up steps are required. They may be performed in any order.

**Update A-Shell**

The PDFX environment was added to A-Shell in version 4.9.960, so make sure you are running that version or later. 

**Create A-Shell PDF Printer**

See the topic [Create A-Shell PDF Printer](create_a-shell_pdf.md).

**Install PDFX Printer Driver**

Any PC that is going to act as a "PDF Generator" must have the PDFX drivers installed. See the following topic. 

**Windows Platform**

If you are operating in a stand-alone PC environment, that's all there is to it; go to [Test](test.md) and you're done. The same applies if you are running A-Shell in a "standard" Windows peer-to-peer LAN situation, which is essentially a series of connected stand-alone PCs. For other PC configurations (terminal servers, remote PCs, etc.), contact MicroSabio for custom installation guidelines.

**Other Platforms**

If A-Shell runs on a non-Windows host (AIX, Linux, UNIX, etc.), you will be using either AshLPD or ATE as your "transport" or "delivery" method to get reports from A-Shell to the PC running the PDFX driver. Unfortunately, this will likely be the most complicated part of setting up the PDFX environment. But it's not too bad. Depending on your needs, see [Installing and Configuring ATE](installandconfigate.md) or [Installing and Configuring AshLPD](installandconfigashlpd.md). Then go to [Test](test.md) and you're done.

**General Directions**

See the subtopics listed below for full details on the various installation and setup steps.

**Subtopics**

- [Install PDFX Printer Driver](installpdfxprinterdriver.md)

- [Create A-Shell PDF Printer](create_a-shell_pdf.md)

- [Installing and Configuring ATE](installandconfigate.md)

- [Installing and Configuring AshLPD](installandconfigashlpd.md)

- [Test](test.md)

- [TroubleShooting](troubleshooting.md)

- [Other Issues](otherissues.md)