ODXNET

Windows Service

On a Windows Server, ODXNET can be set up as a Windows service or run manually (interactively) as needed. Both have advantages and disadvantages that should be weighed carefully.

Windows NT/2000/XP Service

• The service can be maintained using the Windows Service Manager. This includes starting, stopping and pausing the service.
• The service can be configured to automatically restart every time the system is rebooted.
• A listener process can always be ready for client requests.
• Multiple listeners can be installed as services using the -ntservicename directive on installation.
• Every client that connects through the service will connect with the same options/permissions.
• Configuration file is required.

Manually Started Listener (All Platforms)

• Each listener can be configured differently.
• Can create scripts to set environment variables and run the listener.
• Multiple listeners can be run using different listener port numbers.
• Configuration file is optional depending on the desired settings.
• Listener must be manually stopped and restarted.

In either situation, the Omnidex environment variables must be set prior to starting the listener process.

Install ODXNET as a Windows Service

The ODXNET service uses settings defined in the ODXNET configuration file to run the service. Adjust any settings in the configuration file as needed. See Configuration File for more information on specific settings.

Install ODXNET as a service by running ODXNET from the command line using the -ntsrvaction argument with one of the "INSTALL" options.

odxnet c:\omnidex\bin\odxs1232.cfg -ntsrvaction=INSTALL

You must pass the fully qualified path and file names of both the ODXNET executable and configuration file when installing ODXNET as a service.

Use the Windows Service Manager to maintain (start, stop, pause, continue) the service. Use the "DELETE" command line option to remove the ODXNET service.

The following commands can be passed with the -ntsrvaction directive to install ODXNET as a Windows service:

INSTALL
The service is installed but must be started manually.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=INSTALL c:\omnidex\bin\odxs1232.cfg

INSTALL_AUTO
The service is installed but not started, and will start automatically each time the system reboots.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=INSTALL_AUTO c:\omnidex\bin\odxs1232.cfg

The INSTALL_START and INSTALL_DEMAND options are no longer supported.

-ntservice=unique_service_name

Pass a unique service same when installing ODXNET to allow multiple services to be installed.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=INSTALL_AUTO c:\omnidex\bin\odxs1232.cfg
-ntservice=ODXNET_7555

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Stop the Service

DISC recommends that you use the Windows Service Manager to stop the installed service. However, you can also use the STOP -ntsrvaction option from a DOS prompt.

odxnet -ntsrvaction=STOP

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Maintenance Options

DISC recommends that you use the Windows Service Manager to maintain the installed service. However, the following options are provided to allow maintenance from the command line.

DELETE
This action deletes the previously installed service and removes it from the system registry.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=DELETE

START
This action starts the previously installed and not currently running service.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=START

STOP
This action stops the currently running service.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=STOP

PAUSE
This action pauses the currently running service.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=PAUSE

CONTINUE
This action restarts the currently paused service.

c:\omnidex\bin\odxnet -ntsrvaction=CONTINUE

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