Checking that a Windows Service is running and restarting if stopped

[Simon Verona]

My software relies on a third party data provider to a propretary database.

In turn the third party database relies on a Windows Service that runs on
the server to supply the data... The problem is that from time to time this
service dies without warning.

Is there any way that I can write another small service or similar (using
vb.net) that checks at regular intervals that the service is running and
restart it if it isn't???

Can I check that the service is running by searching for the service
executable in the process list? or is there an easier way? What do I need
to code to start the service?

Thanks in advance

Simon

[JohnFol]

This will get you started, but make sure you add a reference to
System.ServiceP rocess.
Dim services() As System.ServiceP rocess.ServiceC ontroller

Dim i As Integer

services = System.ServiceP rocess.ServiceC ontroller.GetSe rvices()

For i = 0 To services.Length - 1

If services(i).Ser viceName = "Wibble" Then

If services(i).Sta tus = ServiceControll erStatus.Stoppe d Then

services(i).Sta rt()

End If

End If

Next
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message
news:%2******** *******@tk2msft ngp13.phx.gbl.. .

My software relies on a third party data provider to a propretary
database.

In turn the third party database relies on a Windows Service that runs on
the server to supply the data... The problem is that from time to time
this service dies without warning.

Is there any way that I can write another small service or similar (using
vb.net) that checks at regular intervals that the service is running and
restart it if it isn't???

Can I check that the service is running by searching for the service
executable in the process list? or is there an easier way? What do I
need to code to start the service?

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Simon Verona]

Spot on!!

Exactly what I was after.

Thanks :)

Simon
"JohnFol" <Ou************ @WibbleObbble.C om> wrote in message
news:BQ******** ********@newsfe 3-win.ntli.net...

This will get you started, but make sure you add a reference to
System.ServiceP rocess.
Dim services() As System.ServiceP rocess.ServiceC ontroller

Dim i As Integer

services = System.ServiceP rocess.ServiceC ontroller.GetSe rvices()

For i = 0 To services.Length - 1

If services(i).Ser viceName = "Wibble" Then

If services(i).Sta tus = ServiceControll erStatus.Stoppe d Then

services(i).Sta rt()

End If

End If

Next
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message
news:%2******** *******@tk2msft ngp13.phx.gbl.. .

My software relies on a third party data provider to a propretary
database.

In turn the third party database relies on a Windows Service that runs on
the server to supply the data... The problem is that from time to time
this service dies without warning.

Is there any way that I can write another small service or similar
(using vb.net) that checks at regular intervals that the service is
running and restart it if it isn't???

Can I check that the service is running by searching for the service
executable in the process list? or is there an easier way? What do I
need to code to start the service?

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Simon,
In addition to JohnFol's example, I normally simply create the
ServiceControll er directly, without using the ServiceControll er.GetServices
method.

Dim service As New ServiceControll er("Wibble")
service.Refresh ()
If service.Status = ServiceControll erStatus.Stoppe d Then
service.Start()
End If

If I had the above in a loop, I would consider using
ServiceControll er.WaitForStatu s, instead.

service.Refresh ()
service.WaitFor Status(ServiceC ontrollerStatus .Stopped)
service.Start()

Then I would consider including the timeout (TimeSpan) parameter to
WaitForStatus so as to allow a controlled exit from WaitForStatus.. .

Hope this helps
Jay
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message
news:%2******** *******@tk2msft ngp13.phx.gbl.. .
| My software relies on a third party data provider to a propretary
database.
|
| In turn the third party database relies on a Windows Service that runs on
| the server to supply the data... The problem is that from time to time
this
| service dies without warning.
|
| Is there any way that I can write another small service or similar (using
| vb.net) that checks at regular intervals that the service is running and
| restart it if it isn't???
|
| Can I check that the service is running by searching for the service
| executable in the process list? or is there an easier way? What do I
need
| to code to start the service?
|
| Thanks in advance
|
| Simon
|
|
|

[Simon Verona]

Thanks for that Jay.. thats exactly what I'm after
Regards
Simon
"Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]" <Ja************ @msn.com> wrote in message
news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..

Simon,
In addition to JohnFol's example, I normally simply create the
ServiceControll er directly, without using the
ServiceControll er.GetServices
method.

Dim service As New ServiceControll er("Wibble")
service.Refresh ()
If service.Status = ServiceControll erStatus.Stoppe d Then
service.Start()
End If

If I had the above in a loop, I would consider using
ServiceControll er.WaitForStatu s, instead.

service.Refresh ()
service.WaitFor Status(ServiceC ontrollerStatus .Stopped)
service.Start()

Then I would consider including the timeout (TimeSpan) parameter to
WaitForStatus so as to allow a controlled exit from WaitForStatus.. .

Hope this helps
Jay
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message
news:%2******** *******@tk2msft ngp13.phx.gbl.. .
| My software relies on a third party data provider to a propretary
database.
|
| In turn the third party database relies on a Windows Service that runs
on
| the server to supply the data... The problem is that from time to time
this
| service dies without warning.
|
| Is there any way that I can write another small service or similar
(using
| vb.net) that checks at regular intervals that the service is running and
| restart it if it isn't???
|
| Can I check that the service is running by searching for the service
| executable in the process list? or is there an easier way? What do I
need
| to code to start the service?
|
| Thanks in advance
|
| Simon
|
|
|