How do I create/access a WCF web service with having to install a client on every PC

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Hello,
is it possible to create a WCF web service that can be accessed from PC's / laptops which do not have a client installed ? I'm thinking about a service that could be available to 1000 users. Installing a client on each of these laptops would be a major exercise and keeping them all on the latest client version an even more diffucult task. Any advise welcome.

regards
Pat

Posted 5-Oct-15 22:38pm

PClarkeirl

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Abhinav S · Answer 1 · 2015-10-05T22:45:00

Solution 1

There is no way to work around the traditional client system install problem.

You could use Click once deployment[^] to automatically install application updates on your client machines.

Alternately, you could create a web page application and host it on the same (or on a different) server.
This web page should be able to talk to the WCF service.

All you would then need to do is to share this url with your customers.

Posted 5-Oct-15 22:45pm

Abhinav S

Updated 5-Oct-15 22:49pm

v3

Comments

Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan 6-Oct-15 4:47am

5ed; you beat me by 48 seconds. :-)

Anyways, I provided some additional details in Solution 2.

Abhinav S 6-Oct-15 4:48am

Thanks. I added click once deployment to the solution. It could solve the "update" issue.

Afzaal Ahmad Zeeshan · Answer 2 · 2015-10-05T22:46:00

Guess what, instead of sending a package of software application, which needs further updates (as you mention), why don't you use the web browsers as a client? Create an ASP.NET web application as a client for that WCF application.

The ASP.NET web application will act as the client and users can consume the services using their web browser. Whether they update their browsers or not, would not cause any bad UX for the users. And you will only have to maintain that one single project, the web application. Also the project will be live as soon as you publish it; your users won't have to take the pain of re-installing the package.

Also, using web application will enable you to have cross-platform audience, because a web browser is available on every device and platform.

If this interests you, read this guide to get started: Creating a Web Service to be consumed by connected Devices via Internet[^]

PClarkeirl · Answer 3 · 2015-10-05T23:21:00

Solution 3

thanks guys for the quick response. I am particularly interested in Afzaal's solution. Can I ask, in this type of solution do the WCF service and the web application (Client talking to web service) both reside on the server ?

regards
Pat

Posted 5-Oct-15 23:21pm

PClarkeirl