Services

From DLS5 Wiki
(Redirected from Authentication service)
Jump to: navigation, search


What is a Windows Service?

On Microsoft Windows operating systems, a Windows service is a long-running executable that performs specific functions and which is designed not to require user intervention. Windows services can be configured to start when the operating system is booted and run in the background as long as Windows is running, or they can be started manually when required.

DLS 5 Services

Please note: With DLS Standalone, System Admin Standalone and BOSS Stand-alone packages only MPCH service will be installed.

The following are services which DLS uses and requires to run:

DSC MCPH

The Multi-Comm Port Handler is the service component that handles the comm port assignment of each job. This service allows Comm Port Sharing, without requiring any extra user intervention.

Thanks to the MCPH, it's a one-time setup per connection type in the Modem Manager.


The following services are only installed with Workgroup installation:

DSC Authentication Service

The Authentication service is DLS padlock. This service ensures that your database will never fall into the wrong hands. Hardware Key is processed by the authentication service on every login attempt.

DSC Application Service

The Application service is DLS's engine. This service is at the core of every operation in DLS. It controls all traffic to-and-from the database, it builds up each communication job and checks the job's status as it's processed.

DSC Communication Service

The Communication service is the workhorse that performs all communication jobs. This service receives each communication job, converts to panel-friendly commands, and executes your upload/download. Having the communication service allows you to submit many jobs in queue, close down the DLS application and walk away. The Communication service executes the jobs silently in the background, storing detailed information about each job in the database for your later review.

DSC Web Server (only for Add-on Web SA)

The Web Server service is a driver of running Web SA application on an actual Web platform.

Troubleshooting Services

The way in which Windows handles the starting of services, though robust, is not perfect. You may find that your PC has difficulty starting some services from time to time. Here are a couple of quick tips to help you manage your services:

DLS Launch

If any DLS service(s) are not in a working state when the DLS application is launched, DLS will automatically try to start the services for you. This function will execute successfully for admin level users.

Services Manager

Access the Windows Services Manager by:

  • Right-click "My Computer"
  • Click "Manage"
  • Browse to "Service and Applications" and then "Services"

You'll see a comprehensive list of all the service based applications installed on the PC, and each service's current state.

From here you can see the state of all DLS services, and correct any issues. Remember, when starting the DLS Services, start them in this order:

  1. Authentication Service (not installed for Standalone Installation)
  2. Application Service (not installed for Standalone Installation)
  3. Communications Service (not installed for Standalone Installation)
  4. MCPH Service

Startup Time

Each DLS service is in the "Windows Service Manager's" start up queue. Many other programs utilize this function. When your PC boots up, it must work through all of the various programs in this list, which will each start sequentially. This process can take a few moments.

The DLS services must be started before running DLS. It is suggested that the PC is completely booted before running DLS.

During this startup, it is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to STOP any DLS services.

Dependencies

There are as few service dependencies in DLS as possible. For example: The Windows TCP/IP service must be running to allow the DLS components to properly initialize. Please ensure that the following Services are set to "Automatic" start up and are fully started when attempting to run DLS:

  • Remote Access Connection Manager (RasMan)
  • Windows Management Instrumentation

If any of these services are not started, you may experience difficulty operating DLS.

One of the Services has NEVER started

If one of your DLS services has NEVER started and you are unable to start it manually, it is likely that there was a problem during installation. This type of issue can be avoided by ensuring that the PC is not busy during the installation process.

As with the installation of most applications, is is recommend that you close all open programs, ensure that anti-virus is not actively scanning, and reduce the workload of the PC so that the installation process can run smoothly.

Uninstall DLS and re-install to correct this issue.

Rebooting Your PC

Rebooting your PC is an excellent way to get back to a safe starting point. Rebooting your PC will close any conflicting applications and will allot the proper resources to the DLS services on start up. It also allows each service to restart with the designed System privileges.