Redirecting HTTP request

[arc]

Here's my requirement:

When a desktop application (smart client) makes a request to our ASP.NET
server, the request has to be redirected to a 3rd party provider.

AND

Option A - The 3rd party provider should be able to deliver the information
back to the smart client directly
OR
Option B - The 3rd party provider should be able to deliver the information
back to our server which in turn is sent back to the smart client.

If its Option A, I believe we have to manipulate the HTTP request so that
the 3rd party provider understands the information would be sent to the
smart client instead of giving it back to our server. Can we use something
like HTTPHandler or HTTPModule to do this? How exactly?

If its Option B, I believe we have to maintain the session as it arrives
from the client and be able to deliver back to the client when 3rd party
provider responds.
Is it possible to maintain the long standing session in IIS while the
request is re-directed? How to do it?

Greatly appreciate your inputs!

Thanks
Arc

[Joerg Jooss]

arc wrote:

Here's my requirement:

When a desktop application (smart client) makes a request to our
ASP.NET server, the request has to be redirected to a 3rd party
provider.

AND

Option A - The 3rd party provider should be able to deliver the
information back to the smart client directly
OR
Option B - The 3rd party provider should be able to deliver the
information back to our server which in turn is sent back to the
smart client.

If its Option A, I believe we have to manipulate the HTTP request so
that the 3rd party provider understands the information would be sent
to the smart client instead of giving it back to our server. Can we
use something like HTTPHandler or HTTPModule to do this? How exactly?
No. A redirect informs the client to look for the requested resource
somewhere else. Thus, the client knows to ask the 3rd party site if
redirected.

Client --GET--> YourSite
Client <--302-- YourSite
Client --GET--> 3rdParty
Client <--200-- 3rdParty

If its Option B, I believe we have to maintain the session as it
arrives from the client and be able to deliver back to the client
when 3rd party provider responds.
Is it possible to maintain the long standing session in IIS while the
request is re-directed? How to do it?

Option B means you send a new request to the 3rd party site in order to
produce the response for the client:

Client --GET--> YourSite
void Page_Load() { // or any other method
YourSite --GET--> 3rdParty
YourSite <--200-- 3rdParty
}
Client <--200-- YourSite
Cheers,
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