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I need to consume an out-proc COM server from both a worker role and a web role in a Windows Azure application. One step I'm almost sure I'll need to do is to alter the access permissions for the COM server - grant "local launch" and "local activation" permissions for the predefined user under which roles code executes.

So far I found there's DCOMPERM utility in Windows SDK samples which contains code that I guess would do that. So I could write similar code and package it into either a separate executable or into the COM registration code of the COM server and run that code from a role start-up task. That's not trivial, but certainly doable.

I only have one major concern before I start.

Are there any reasons why I can't do that? Maybe using out-proc COM servers is not allowed on Windows Azure or something? Are there any such limitations?

Community
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sharptooth
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1 Answers1

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Are there any reasons why I can't do that? Maybe using out-proc COM servers is not allowed on Windows Azure or something? Are there any such limitations?

It's not something I've personally done, but if you can install a COM+ server running in a shell exe, then I think you should be able to do what you want - see this recent blog post http://michaelwasham.com/2011/05/15/deploying-a-com-servicedcomponent-to-windows-azure/

I don't think you will hit limitations - but I think you will hit a fair few problems along the way - good luck.

Stuart
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    Two years later I can confirm that there're positively no problems with this approach. Writing code was a usual bit of stress but it all just works in the end. – sharptooth Oct 29 '13 at 07:17