Activation tab missing "Uses SOAP" section - COM+ Activation Tab

Question

I'm looking into a migration path from our COM+ 1.5 components to WCF.  I was pointed to the "Uses SOAP" section of the Activation Tab, and how a web service could be used to communicate COM+ components.  I have been charged with creating a proof of concept, creating a COM+ component, activating this feature, and then using it with WCF.

My problem is that under Win7 or Server 2008R2 - this section of the Activation Tab is missing!

Here is a link of a screen shot showing the Activation Tab, as well as the documentation regarding "Uses SOAP" check box. 

I have enabled IIS, as well as ASP.NET on my WIN7 virtual machine - but this section simply does not show up.

I've searched the web for information on this, but nothing seems to be available.

Any ideas?  Do I have to go back to Server 2003? XP?

HELP!

Answer 1

Knock, Knock - Is anyone out there?

Answer 2

Hi ,

Based on your post, my understanding of your question is that you want to activate one COM+ component via WCF. Please let us know whether you have created this COM+ application.

If you have created, you can have a look at Integrating with COM+ Applications for more information about how to extend your existing logic rather than having to rewrite it. The topics within this section describe how to use COM+ with WCF.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms733094.aspx

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Best regards,
Riquel
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Answer 3

Hi,

Based on my test, both the windows 2k8 server and windows 7 box has the "Activation" tab displayed when show the "properties" page of Com+ application.

There is no particular install on the two machines. For 2k8 server, it just has webserver role installed while the windows 7 box also have IIS installed. Is this the first time you find the problem and does the problem also occur on multiple machines in your environment?  You can even create a new simple Com+ application and test via its properrties to see whether "Activation" setting is available. If still no luck, you will need to post the issue in some COM+ or windows server groups for more idea on troubleshooting the Component Service snap-in.

For WCF and COM+ integration, here are some reference:


#Integrating WCF Services with COM+
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb735856.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms734723.aspx

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Answer 4

Thank-you for your interest!

In my post I attempted to describe that the Activation tab is indeed there (the link shows a screen shot that I took), but the option to use "SOAP" is missing.  The documentation on the right (on the screen shot) documents that there should be a "SOAP" option, but it is missing on the left.

I suspect that I have to either install or do something in order for it to show.  Either way, the documentation needs to be updated to indicate why the "SOAP" section is missing and how to make it show it up.

As I'm not a server (IT Pro) kind of guy (I'm pretty much pure dev), I will look into what you called the "WebRole" in my Server R2 VM.  I wonder though what might be holding back on my WIN7 installation - on both I have added IIS, and the ASP.Net window components.  Can you post a snapshot of your Activation tab?

Thank-you for the links -I'll review the Chap.10 of the APRESS book that was referred to in one of your articles. 

Regards,
Richard

Answer 5

Hi Richard,

"WebRole" is a setup components of WINDOWS SERVER 2008(include IIS server ...).

Here is a screenshot of the "Activation" tab of Com+ application properties page:

http://i.msdn.microsoft.com/Bb978523.Fig18-COMPlus_to_WCF-ExchangeSOAPMessages(en-us,MSDN.10).jpg

I got the same screen on my local test machines. BTW, make sure you select on the certain COM+ application's node when view the properties page.

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Answer 6

Hi  Steven

I'm afraid that I have not explained myself clearly, and that I have not yet found an answer to my question (perhaps we can change that until my question has been answered).

What is missing from my WIN7 and Server 2008 Component services property tag is NOT the Activation tab, but the "SOAP" section of the activation tab.  I believe my screen shot clearly show the Activation tab, but NOT the "SOAP" section.  Please compare the link I have provided, with the link that you have provided (is that a screen shot taken from a WIN7 or Server 2008 R2 server?).

Perhaps if I clarified my question as follows: What causes the "SOAP Section" of the Activation tab to appear or disappear in either Win7, or Server 2008 R2?    Can you make yours disappear as is the case with mind?  Where is the documentation that specifies this type of behaviour?

Regards,
Richard