Creating Windows Service using .Net

A service is an application that runs in the background without user interface and start even before user login.

Differences:

                - One can’t simply run with F5. Install service and attach debugger to it.

                - One must create the installer for the service to install and configure.

                - Popup and dialogs are not allowed so log events in Log.

                - Carefully plan about the account and permission for the service.

Creating a Service:

                Create a windows service project.

                Override OnStart, OnStop, and OnPause and other methods.

                Add necessary Installers.

                Build and install.

To Implement the Service:

-              Modify the ServiceBase.ServiceName to unique service name.

-              Add OnStart. Code must return immediately

-              Add code for OnStop

-              Add Code for OnPause, OnContinue, and OnShutDown (All Optionall)

Creating project for service:

A service can’t be directly run. .Net Framework provides ServiceInstaller and ServiceProcessinstaller classes.

ServiceInstaller defines the Name, ServiceName, Description, and Start type.

Use ServiceProcessInstaller to define the service account settings.

1.            R.Click on designer → Add Installer

2.            Set the start type → Automatic, Manual, Disabled

3.            Set Description and DisplayName

4.            Specify Security Context

a.            Local Service (Limited)

b.            Network Service (Web Server etc.)

c.             Local System (Unlimited)

d.            User (Define login and password or will be prompted on start).

5.            Click Project in Solution Explorer. Select Service Project as Startup Project.

6.            Build then install using MSI package.

To build a setup project:

1.            Add Setup project to current solution

2.            R.Click Setup project in Solution Explorer. Click Add. Click project output.
               Select Service project as primary output

3.            Add Custom Actions to Install Service

a.            R.Clcik Setup project.

b.            View | Custom Actions

c.            In Editor, R.Click Custom Action and Click Add Custom Action.

4.            In Select Item in project Dialog.

a.            Select the application folder

b.            Select the primary output from you service project name

c.            Click OK.

5.            R.Click Setup project and select Build.

Managing Services:

Services can be managed from Computer management.

Service can be also managed from command line.

C:\ Net Start <ServiceName>

C:\ Net Stop <ServiceName>

To Control Services from code use ServiceController class. System.Services.Proecess.ServiceController.

e.g.:

ServiceController sc = new ServiceController (“MyService”);

Sc.Stop();

Sc.Start();

Sc.Pause();

Sc.Continue();