ASP app to execute DLL from within network?

I have an ASP that needs to fire on a secure server which will then execute a DLL to yet another server. The results of this DLL are then passed back to the calling ASP and then from there returned to the requesting ASP.

(The problem is that my firewall prohibits me from talking to anything but one application server that does not talk directly to the SQL data base that I need access to.)

Any suggestions on how I do this would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Clunietp]

If your firewall allows port 80 traffic, then I would investigate SOAP

I would otherwise try to convince your network administrator to allow DCOM/SQL traffic if possible (so you won't have to change anything)

My firewall admin does allow SQL commands through. How would I invoke a DLL that is on the inside of my network using SQL? How can I then return the results of my DLL back to the browser?

[Clunietp]

If your network admin won't open up the DCOM traffic ports, I would investigate the sp_OA methods of SQL server. These can be used to instantiate COM components from the SQL server

You won't have the flexibility that you do in VB, but you'll be able to get around the firewall problem

here's a nice article from VBPJ on SQL server & COM
http://www.devx.com/upload/free/features/vbpj/2000/01jan00/dd0100/dd0100.asp

Thanks!!!!! that worked.

I have setup a stored procedure to call my DLL and it works.

However, the results of my DLL program is to generate a .TIFF file. This .TIFF is now sitting on the inside of my firewall on my application server. I need to get it back to my WEB server.

Any quick suggestions?

[Clunietp]

EEK......

OK, I don't have any code for you, but this MIGHT work....

Create another DLL/function/etc. to load the TIFF image into a database on your SQL Server into a binary column type. Then you just have to read the image from that table back to your client on the other side of the firewall. Sounds easy enough, yes? :)

Thanks,

I have found a link that shows how to do this...

http://forums.vb-world.net/showthread.php?threadid=29875

What about using FTP, the INET control. Which would be best?

Thanks again for your help!

[Clunietp]

I suppose you could use the FTP/Inet control, but that would mean that you have to run a FTP/WWW server on your SQL server too. You're probably better off doing the image transfer through your database