How to add the /_vti_bin/Admin.asmx webservice as a service reference in Visual Studio 2008

Question

I'm trying to use the Admin webservice of SharePoint 2007 within a console application. So I add a new service reference to my project pointing to http://<central administration>/_vti_bin/Admin.asmx. But instead of creating the proxy class it ends in an error. Regarding the error message, the service cannot be accessed due to an authentication problem.

The HTTP request is unauthorized with client authentication scheme 'Anonymous'. The authentication header received from the server was 'Negotiate,NTLM'.

Also trying to access the page via web browser results in a redirect to an error page. I can access all other webservices via browser as well as via Visual Studio.

I've also had a look at the add service reference menu, but couldn't find option to pass any credentials.

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Try to enable Anonymous access and Enable Integrated Windows autehntication in IIS.

Answer 2

You should use the right URL. Try using the following:

http://CentralAdministration:Port/_vti_adm/Admin.asmx

Take a look at Nick Swan's blog.