IIS .NET Overnight Process - best way to implement?

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Hi Folks

I've been out of the IT game for some time and have just returned to help a non-technical friend with a .NET 4.0 website, developed in Visual Studio 2010 and now in 2013.

The previous developer implemented a timer in Global.asax to run some logic once every 24 hours but this is clearly not the best way as processes stop when the website isn't used.

What I need to achieve is to create something that will run without interruption on the IIS server. Overnight from 1am it will read the database using LINQ to either SQL Server or Compact, generate statistics, create new database records and send emails. Then once it's finished it just needs to sit there until the same time tomorrow when it repeats the process.

I need to be able to enable/disable the process. I should say its hosted on a shared server where I don't have full control of IIS.

I've read about Web Services, WCF, REST etc but cannot pinpoint the best approach given the scenario. All feedback appreciated!

Thanks

Paul ...

Posted 23-Jul-14 22:51pm

Paul D D

Updated 23-Jul-14 22:57pm

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Duncan Edwards Jones 24-Jul-14 5:15am

Are you allowed to install scheduled tasks on the shared server?

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 5:21am

Hi Duncan. I can access preinstalled scheduled tasks on the server via the online 'webpanel'. I can certainly ask them if we can add to this.

I'm not experienced with IIS but, assuming I can install a scheduled task, what would the schedule actually call? Not allowed .exe!

Duncan Edwards Jones 24-Jul-14 5:34am

Ah - if you aren't allowed to install an exe (which makes sense, I suppose) then you are probably going to have to add a method to your web server that does the work. You can then trigger that by sending an HTTP command by a scheduled task - from the web panel or from some outside scheduled app.

As mentioned below you also need to find out if you can send emails from the shared server.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 5:45am

Thanks Duncan. Would that be invoked in a similar fashion to the way its done in this youtube demo? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oM_68cbip0 From around 12 minutes in it shows the WCF service being called via HTTP.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 5:46am

Can definitely send emails from the shared server. Its already doing this from within the .cs code.

Wombaticus 24-Jul-14 5:27am

I really don't think you can run this from a shared server. I think you'll need to create an application that will run on a schedule from your friend's home/office server to do this - shouldn't be a problem assuming you have remote access to the database (ie not only from localhost). You may also need to use a third-party email relay service to send the emails, dependiong on how many there are and the policies of the hostiong company.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 5:43am

Cheers Wombaticus. If that is the solution then I'm more likely to look at a dedicated server solution. Its hoped that the website will be a commercial success (sold to larger organisations) so this could be factored into the cost of the website application sale.

Wombaticus 24-Jul-14 5:47am

In that case you may want to look at a VPS (Virtual Private Server) - half the cost for the same functionality, and move to a dedicated one later only if demand dictates.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 5:50am

I think it makes sense to understand what the existing hosting company can provide - will have a detailed discussion once I have a better grip on what I want to achieve and how. They must have come across similar issues in the past.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 6:11am

Picking up on the comments made above I think the best immediate solution will be as follows:

The hosting company allows me to set up a scheduled task to "Check Website Availabilty". If I specify a url which points to a WCF Web Service (containing my logic) then the 'website check' will run the service for me at a time I specify.
Does this sound like a sensible approach?

Only problem I suppose is if the website is unavailable then the http request will fail, unless I can run it from localhost.

ZurdoDev 24-Jul-14 7:40am

IIS is not the right tool. Use a simple windows console app and schedule it.

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 9:31am

Thanks Ryan. I don't suppose you can point me to a useful example that follows .NET4 standards?

ZurdoDev 24-Jul-14 9:34am

Just either do a simple windows console app (any example will do) and schedule it or do a windows service (again any example will do) and use the Timer in the service (which most do anyway.)

Paul D D 24-Jul-14 9:47am

Thanks Ryan. A windows service? I doubt this is possible on a shared IIS server? Or are you meaning a .NET web service?

ZurdoDev 24-Jul-14 9:53am

No, I meant a windows service. But if you can't install on that server then can you run a console app on it?

Really it comes down to deciding what works best for you. In my opinion, your two best options are to either do a windows service or to do a windows app (console or forms) and schedule it.

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