Finding a webservice server

[Aussie Rules]

Hi,

I have a classic client server app.

When the client is installed on the PC I would like the client application
to some how 'find' the server or servers that host the server logic.

Kind of like how the SQL tools, can list all the SQL servers in the network.

My thoughts are to have the server running some sort of web service,
listening on a port, and the client does some sort of IP broadcast on that
port. When the broadcast happens, the webservice responds, and the client
then knows the name/details of the server.

I figure this is a good way to do this, but have no idea on how to go about
it.

Is there an easier solution to this ?

The server is based on SQL, so another option is to get a list of the SQL
Servers, and then use that.

Thanks

[ValK]

Here is example how to get list of all comp. On your network:

http://www.codeproject.com/vb/net/MyLanApp.asp
"Aussie Rules" wrote:

Hi,

I have a classic client server app.

When the client is installed on the PC I would like the client application
to some how 'find' the server or servers that host the server logic.

Kind of like how the SQL tools, can list all the SQL servers in the network.

My thoughts are to have the server running some sort of web service,
listening on a port, and the client does some sort of IP broadcast on that
port. When the broadcast happens, the webservice responds, and the client
then knows the name/details of the server.

I figure this is a good way to do this, but have no idea on how to go about
it.

Is there an easier solution to this ?

The server is based on SQL, so another option is to get a list of the SQL
Servers, and then use that.

Thanks