.NET Windows Service - Pulling Updates with Service Restart

Question

Hi All,

None of the following has been attempted - I have no idea if it's possible, or, for that matter, where to start. I'm presenting a hypothetical scenario for a project I'd like to attempt.

Situation: I provide a windows service to a remote client (customer), where they install the service on their server.

Issue: Somewhere down the road there's a bug in the service. I need to provide a fix without providing a brand new version of the service to the end user (where they uninstall the old, buggy version and install a new one).

Questions: Is it possible to have the remote user restart the service and, upon starting, have the service detect that an updated version of an assembly, or a new assembly is available that fixes the bug(s). In other words, can a service detect updates somewhat like a click once application? I have a feeling that this is not possible. If it's not, do you have any other suggestions?

I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Tyler

Answer 1

Tyler,

Can you put you logic into a webservice hosted by yourself, if not you may want to look at using MEF Directory Catalog, to view a folder without having to compile it.

http://mef.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Using%20catalogs

Hope this help

Iain

Answer 2

Actually, if you're looking for functionality similar to ClickOnce you could write your own. All of the ClickOnce functionality exists in the System.Deployment namespace.

Here's a link to help you get started and a web cast that should be very useful.