Configure Shadow Copy using app.config

Question

Let me explain the scenario first.

I have installed multiple copies (Say 10) of Services from a single install base. Now I want to update one of the dll. I need to Stop all the services, update the dll and restart the Service again.

To avoid the situation, I used ShadowCopying in code. So that the dlls can be updated without stopping all the services. It is as follows.

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    AppDomain.CurrentDomain.SetCachePath(@"C:\Cache");
    AppDomain.CurrentDomain.SetShadowCopyPath(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory);
    AppDomain.CurrentDomain.SetShadowCopyFiles();

    ServiceBase[] ServicesToRun;
    ServicesToRun = new ServiceBase[] 
        { 
            new SampleService(serviceName) 
        };
    ServiceBase.Run(ServicesToRun);
}

Now I am trying to achieve the same via app.config file, as follows, from Asp.Net

<hostingEnvironment 
    idleTimeout="Infinite" 
    shutdownTimeout="30" 
    shadowCopyBinAssemblies="true" />

Any suggestions?

You didnt say about the problem at all. Are you facing any issue? Dont make us try your code and make us talk about the problem please. — Zenwalker, Sep 30 '11 at 10:33
I am trying to implement Shadow copying with Config File alone, as done by ASP.net.. Without creating application Domains in code... I am stuck... — Rajan Panneer Selvam, Sep 30 '11 at 10:53

Tim Lloyd · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-01T13:14:00.587

The ASP.Net hosting environment has built-in support for managing application recycling.

Windows .Net services use the standard CLR host which does not have this support. You would have to implement your own e.g.

Create a child AppDomain to host your service code, and configure shadow copying.
Use something like a FileSystemWatcher to monitor the original bin directory.
When files change, tear down your AppDomain and create a new one and reload.

The ASP.Net host does something along these lines (but also has the ability to manage existing requests, queue new requests whilst this is going on, etc).

Configure Shadow Copy using app.config

1 Answers1