Use an ActiveX EXE on different PC

The demos I have seen regarding creating an ActiveX EXE (Out of Process) component all state that the application can reside on a different processor than the ActiveX EXE it is using. Anyone ever do this before? None of the samples say how this can be done. How do you register a component on a different processor?

The Reason I need this is I have an ActiveX EXE which provides functions to applications sending formatted messages out the serial port (The commands are used to send messages to an inventory carousel). Some customers want to run this application on Windows Terminal Services. Terminal Services 2000 (RDP 5.0) does not support Local Serial Ports. My thought is if the application (which of course would run on the Terminal Server)opened the ActiveX EXE on the actual Client, I would be utilizing the Local Serial Port.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I realize I could wite a Sockets program that does communicates for me but if I don't need that overhead, why bother!

Thanks for your thoughts!

let me just say one thing: DCOM

Enter -

CreateObject(class,[servername])

function into vb and press 'F1'

I created an activex server component.. but when i use the CreateObject(xxxx.yyy,Server) from the remote app, i get an error "The server {blah-blah-blah} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout" in the event log.

How do i register the server app with dcom ? if i run my remote app on the same machine as the server, then it works (with CreateObject(xxxx.yyy).

There is a program called 'dcomcnfg.exe' on your machine. You will need to change the settings in this program for your activex component. I cannot remember what the settings are its been a while since I've tried using dcom.

Yes. I am aware of the DCOMCNFG. However, I am confused when running this program. It seems that all the options are setup for my component. I can't seem to find any information that explains the options in english. Can you offer any insights on what options are required ?

Have you regsvr32 the dll on the server? Also if your running it on Win2k you should have a look at com+ (in component services). I currently only have access to one machine so I cannot be of much help

The Problem is that my Server Component is not a DLL.

Its an ACTIVEX EXE. Therefore REGSVR32 wont work.

So my question is HOW do i Register an ActiveX EXE component with DCOM on my Win2K Server. DCOMCNFG does not Register the component, it just sets options. I've read alot about DCOM, but Nothing tells me HOW to Register an EXE with DCOM.

I even did a RUN -> c:\Myserver.exe -register.

But whenever I attemp to do a CREATEOBJECT from my client, the Server generates an Error saying that myserver did not register with DCOM.....

Can any one offer assistance ??????

just simple ....

step 1:

if u have the activex exe source then

1) In the project properties option -->component tab -->check option remote server files
2)create the exe
3)it also create a <activex exe name>.vbr file

elseif u don't have the source then
1)find out where is the <activex exe name>.vbr file

end if

step 2:(only if u have the exe source)
a)open application setup wizard
b)create setup program for the activex exe entering suitably for what the setup wizard prompts for.

step 3:
install this activex exe setup at the server .
(if u are using automation manager then run the automation manager at the server and let it keep running .(it is like a listener).


step 4:
create the client application which uses this exe server

step 5:
create the setup using the setup wizard for this exe.
while doing the exe ,in the third tab there is a option called "add remote files".click it and select the .vbr file that i mentioned in step 1 above

step 6:
install the client application at the client machine

step 7:
run the exe .
(server should be on . and if u are using automation manager then automation manager should be running at the server)

step 8:
have fun