.NET Development
Breaking the RDS Dependency
Gravatar is a globally recognized avatar based on your email address. Breaking the RDS Dependency
  Aggromonster
  All
  Dec 30, 2020 @ 09:54am

Hello fellow devs,

I'm working with a company where the main product is utilized by removing into a host and launching the app. Not only is this a less than optimal user experience, it is also expensive for the company to operate. In the near term, I'd like to implement a solution in which the clients can run the application on a remote host (fat client style). Any experience or recommendations making a similar switch?

The client will need a VPN connection (I've created that programmatically before) and the application will need to auto-update whenever any updates are published. Previously, I've used a "Smart App" which is effectively a shell to handle most of this. Is that the best route to go?

Thanks in advance for any input/suggestions.

Gravatar is a globally recognized avatar based on your email address. re: Win32api Error
  Rick Strahl
  Aggromonster
  Dec 30, 2020 @ 01:30pm

Yes - a shell executable is a good way to do this.

For .NET there's a library/tool called Squirrel that does most of this in a generic way that's relatively easy to add to an application so you don't have to re-invent the entire wheel (not that it's that difficult).

The biggest concern with these types of things usually is permissions to install the necessary files - you likely need to run elevated in order to do an update.

Personally I prefer a more direct approach of download and reinstall completely which makes it very obvious what's happening to the end user and also makes it easier for IT to install exactly the same as the end user does. Plus it ugly launch semantics of a separate launcher executable.

+++ Rick ---

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