VB.Net web service referencing ActiveX dll

[Robc9999]

I am using an ActiveX dll that I have tested succesfully from a VB.net desktop application.

When I attempt to wrap the application in an ASP.Net web service I can't get it to function.

There are 2 potential issues.

1) Dll references a config file stored in the application directory.
2) DLL runs a telnet session on port 23 to a remote client

I guess these both have the potential to cause a problem with security settings.

In an attempt to get it to function I have changed machine.config to use the SYSTEM user - but this doesn't seem to help.

<processModel enable="true" userName="SYSTEM" password="AutoGenerate"/>

Any suggestions on what the problem might be would be appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

[Plater]

What errors are you getting?
Is the object COM visible?
Does the object have all it's little GUID and stuff registered?
Is the object going to be used client side or server side?

[Robc9999]

The object I'm using doesn't have a user interface.

Its function is to provide a COM wrapper for a 3270 datastream from a mainframe session, (aka screen scraping)

My code is as follows;

<WebMethod()> _
Public Function Image() As String

Dim strConfigFile As String

Dim HIOsessions As PASSHIOLib.OhioSessions
Dim HIOsession As PASSHIOLib.OhioSession
Dim HIOscreen As PASSHIOLib.OhioScreen
HIOsessions = New PASSHIOLib.OhioSessions
strConfigFile = "C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\HIOws2\LOCIS.zcc"
HIOsession = HIOsessions.AddSession(strConfigFile, 1)
HIOsession.Connect()

If HIOsession.isConnected = False Then Return "Unable to Connect to Host"

HIOscreen = HIOsession.Screen
Return HIOscreen.String
End Function

After Connect method is called isConnected should return true if all OK - but it doesn't.

If I change the path to the config file (LOCIS.zcc) I get a file not found error which leads me to believe that the ActiveX.dll can find the config file and I know this works from my desktop app.

I believe my problem may be that the ActiveX.dll is not able to open a telnet session to the remote server.

Other than running with userName="SYSTEM" is there some thing else required to allow access to network functions ?

Thanks for your assistance
Rob

[Robc9999]

This is the specofic error I get if I don't test isConnected.

System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: Session is not connected to host.
at PASSHIOLib.OhioScreenClass.get_String()
at Service.Image() in c:\inetpub\wwwroot\HIOws2\App_Code\ScreenStatus.vb :line 41

[Robc9999]

Appears to be a timing issue.

Added,

System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(4000)

before checking connection and it works.

[TRScheel]

Appears to be a timing issue.

Added,

System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(4000)

before checking connection and it works.

It might be wise to put the check for connection into a loop, and have it run say 10 times at a sleep interval of 1000. If during the loop it connects, break, if it doesnt then after 10 seconds it has truely timed out.

This is IF the object you are using does not have a function that you can call that will hold the program at that point until the object is connected or timed out.