Help with new project

Question

User-1120760198 posted

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for help with what I hope to be a quick and simple little project.  I have limited programming experience (I can usually modify existing code to make things work but not very good at all starting something like this from scratch).  Anyhow, here's what I need:

I have a to connect to an "endpoint" given to me by a software company.  Getting help from them is like pulling teeth!  All they have told me is:

"The comm point is up & listening, if you want to test connectivity: https://softwarecomp:12600/services/testing"   I’m not sure what other vendors use to send and ADT message to an HTTPS comm point.  We use Rhapsody Integration engine.  This endpoint is set up to receive an HL7 ADT message over TLSv1.2 with 2-way client certificate.  It is not accessible thru an internet browser.  "

Can someone please give me some kind of direction as where to start with something like this?   I am not worried about the HTTPS and certificate parts, I have that done.  But can I start a new ASP.Net web application with Visual Studio to connect to this 'end point' they have created?

If there is more information I need from the software company - maybe someone can help me ask them the correct questions?   I was under the impression that this company was going to provide me with a way to connect, but they won't give me anything but the link above.  I'm lost!  Please help a newbie out :) 

Thanks!!

Answer 1

User475983607 posted

Rage232

But can I start a new ASP.Net web application with Visual Studio to connect to this 'end point' they have created?

HTTP(S) is a text based protocol for sending messages between end points.  The format of the HTTP message is driven by the service.  For example, the message body could be JSON, XML, SOAP, HL7 ADT, or the old favorite x-www-form-urlencoded.  There might also be message header standards that need to be sent over the wire like an authentication token.

Your question is like asking, "I need to exchange information over a phone call but I have no idea what language to use.  What should I do?"  I assume the "software company" is assuming the protocol in use, the language, is common knowledge.  Ask a peer or look at existing code bases.

There are a handful of .NET libraries for sending HTTP(s) requests. 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/web-api/overview/advanced/calling-a-web-api-from-a-net-client

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/debx8sh9(v=vs.110).aspx

Answer 2

User-1120760198 posted

Rage232

But can I start a new ASP.Net web application with Visual Studio to connect to this 'end point' they have created?

HTTP(S) is a text based protocol for sending messages between end points.  The format of the HTTP message is driven by the service.  For example, the message body could be JSON, XML, SOAP, HL7 ADT, or the old favorite x-www-form-urlencoded.  There might also be message header standards that need to be sent over the wire like an authentication token.

Your question is like asking, "I need to exchange information over a phone call but I have no idea what language to use.  What should I do?"  I assume the "software company" is assuming the protocol in use, the language, is common knowledge.  Ask a peer or look at existing code bases.

There are a handful of .NET libraries for sending HTTP(s) requests. 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/web-api/overview/advanced/calling-a-web-api-from-a-net-client

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/debx8sh9(v=vs.110).aspx

Hi mgebhard - thanks for the response!

The message body will be HL7 ADT. and actually have a programmer that is going to handle the HL7 ADT part.  

Would this be a viable question to send back to this software company "Thanks for the HTTPS link.  Which protocol (language) did you design 'the endpoint' to connect with?  There are a handful of .NET libraries for sending https requests.  Can you please check with a peer or look at existing code bases for your end point?"

Does that sound ok?  If not, would you be able to help me word it so that it might make more sense to them?  Sorry - I am obviously very very new at this!! :)   Thank you thank you!! 

Answer 3

User475983607 posted

Just ask if they have any .NET sample code for sending a message to the end point.

Answer 4

User-1120760198 posted

Just ask if they have any .NET sample code for sending a message to the end point.

OK I will do that now.  Thank you very much!!   I will report back when I get a response from them.  :) 

Answer 5

User-1120760198 posted

Their answer is "No I do not, sorry".   What the heck!  I can't understand if I am just not clear enough for them to ask the right questions, etc. 

Answer 6

User475983607 posted

Their answer is "No I do not, sorry".   What the heck!  I can't understand if I am just not clear enough for them to ask the right questions, etc. 

I'm not sure what to tell you.  Usually, there's documentation that explains the basics on how to interact with the service.  For example, you send me this type of message and if all goes well I'll return this status.  If things did not go well I'll return an error formatted like this example.

I'm guessing the service provider expects a certain level of understanding.  You might just have to fess up and tell them you need a bit more hand holding.  Or get with a peer that knows how the system works.

Answer 7

User-1120760198 posted

Thank you again - It's great to have someone knowledgeable helping me here - much apprecaited!!

Does the fact that they state "We use Rhapsody Integration engine"  help any?  I looked it up and found this link here:
https://orionhealth.com/us/products/rhapsody/?network=g&campaign=653259566&adgroup=33716186859&keyword=rhapsody%20integration%20engine&gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9YFfUCu4qOndXWK5o6Ts5iPyztcVsgYWpGv6897NkSoRoCE2_w_wcB

I'm going to send them one more email trying to get information on this but I feel like we are just spinning tires b/c I don't know how to ask for exactly what I need.  :(    

EDIT -- From reading the link above, would you agree that I need to have the "Rhapsody IDE"  ? 

Answer 8

User-1120760198 posted

Well I reached out to this Orionhealth.com to see if they can be of any help.  I still think I need to have the "Rhapsody IDE"  maybe... 

Answer 9

User475983607 posted

Rage232

Well I reached out to this Orionhealth.com to see if they can be of any help.  I still think I need to have the "Rhapsody IDE"  maybe... 

IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment.  Visual Studio is an IDE.  Are you sure Visual Studio and ASP is an option?  Do you have other ASP applications in your organization?  If so, contact the owners of the application(s) and ask for help.  At this point, you're asking vague off-topic questions about an unknown health care information system.

Answer 10

User-1120760198 posted

The company I need to integrate with is the OrionHealth.com.   I need to be able to send them HL7 ADT messages over TLSv1.2 with 2-way client certificate.

They said our 2 options were TLSv1.2 or VPN.

We went with TLSv1.2 - but that's where they (orionhealth.com) left it.  They don't say what or how to connect to this end point.       

We do not have any ASP apps in our organization, but we have a developer that said they can write the HL7 ADT part (basically the body of a message and I need to come up with the connection) if I can figure out how to make the connection to their TLSV1.2 end point.

Hopefully that helps ??    So sorry to make this confusing - 1st time attempting to learn this..  

Answer 11

User475983607 posted

The company I need to integrate with is the OrionHealth.com.   I need to be able to send them HL7 ADT messages over TLSv1.2 with 2-way client certificate.

You said...

I am not worried about the HTTPS and certificate parts, I have that done. 

Now you are worried about it?

I think you want socket programming which is out-of-scope for an ASP forum. 

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b6xa24z5(v=vs.110).aspx

I believe the 4.5 framework and up has support for TLSv 1.2.  

Answer 12

User-1120760198 posted

Please excuse me for my ignorance here.   When I said I have the HTTPS part, I was actually referring to the fact that they have given me an actual "TEST" certificate with a password.  I have installed this certificate on the server.   I have also given them my certificate and PW for the 2-way authentication.   

The way I was explained that this needs to work is

Step 1. Make connection to their endpoint https://testclinical.keyhie.org:12600/services/HL7-ADT 

After connected - send HL7-ADT data message.   For my purpose, pretend it this part is just a file or body of message that is already completed.

Keyhie receives message, and sends a response.  I need to receive that response and send the results as a file or body of message.

Does that help any?  I understand this may not be even be able to be accomplished through ASP.NET -- but How can I get these people at Keyhie to understand that i need their help with step 1.   What protocol does it use and how do I connect to their endpoint.!???  When I ask, I get "we don't know"....   I don't understand how the @#$%^ you create an endpoint but yet cannot tell me how to connect to it....     

Answer 13

User1967761114 posted

Hi Rage232,

According to your description,

This endpoint seems like used WCF(I’m not sure),try to invoke it as WCF.  

When you know nothing about this service, you could refer to the following link to find the service and generate the client proxy.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb386386.aspx#Accessing the Service

You’d better to ask them for an API documentation, I think there should be has a tutorial to learn how to use it.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me any time.

Best Regards

Even