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bhlonewolf
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 11:38 | IP Logged
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Hi Dave--
I've been evaluating PH on my workstation and so far, so good. I have a server (Win2K3) that I'd like to move everything to. Technically the USB PLC doesn't support it, but I hear others have it working ok.
What I'd like is opinions/advice on migrating to the server. I was thinking of just installing PH completely on the server, then just migrating the required DBs/inis. I'd also move the PLC, too.
Since this is also a server, I'd like to get PH installed as a service or at least have the timer engine start when the server boots ... is this possible?
Thanks! I've only been using PH for a day or two but so far have been enjoying it, after a few user error frustrations!
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Dean
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| Posted: March 31 2007 at 21:24 | IP Logged
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I've been running PowerHome on W2K3 for some time now without any problems, other than the same problems everyone seems to be having with the Insteon SDM locking up occassionally, but that is not specific to W2K3. I have a Smarthome Insteon USB PLC, X-10 CM11A (connected to a serial port) and a W800RF32 (also connected to a serial port).
I migrated over to W2K3 from Windows 2000 Advanced Server. I did as you mentioned: installed PowerHome and copied over my database and INI files.
Unless something has changed, PowerHome can not run as a service. If the security implications are not a concern, the best bet is probably to configure W2K3 to automatically log a user in when the server boots and have PowerHome run from the startup folder for that user.
-Dean
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Clay
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| Posted: April 01 2007 at 15:21 | IP Logged
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Have you guys tried the srvany.exe utility from the Microsoft Windows 2003 Resource Kit. I'm running Windows Home Server and intend to migrate PH over to it once I figure it all out 
I haven't actually tried to make PH a service with it yet, but I thought it should work...
-Clay
Edited by Clay - April 01 2007 at 15:22
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Clay
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bhlonewolf
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| Posted: April 01 2007 at 21:30 | IP Logged
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Srvany _may_ work in a limited way. The first step would probably to install SDM as a service and see if PH would still work. But the problem with this is that if you subsequently logged into machine and wanted to run the GUI, you'd probably run into problems.
It's a big no-no to have any GUI elements from a service, and going forward (Vista and beyond) it won't be possible for security reasons.
The "right" way to do this would likely be to separate the engine from the shell. Easier said than done, I imagine. :) Any chance on this at some point, Dave? Maybe even a console-only version to execute timers and respond to events.
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traviskleckner
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| Posted: April 02 2007 at 10:42 | IP Logged
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I second that request. I'd pay a premium for a version that could be running on my server and allow me to do all my config from a workstation. Right now I remote desktop to my server to do it, but it's not ideal.
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TonyNo
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| Posted: April 02 2007 at 12:43 | IP Logged
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Ditto. I also remote-in to my PH machine.
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cmhardwick
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| Posted: April 02 2007 at 13:42 | IP Logged
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Ditto-Ditto 
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Dean
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| Posted: April 02 2007 at 23:10 | IP Logged
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I vaguely recall Dave mentioning he had the "run as a service" request on his to-do list. I agree with bhlonewolf, the separation of the engine and the GUI is probably the best approach to get PowerHome running as a service.
But, I had come across this in the past but I have never had the time to try it out, so I make no claims as to its usefulness, reliability, etc. If anyone has success with it, let me know please.
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http://www.codeproject.com/system/Sund_WindowService.asp
Description
This is a simple Windows based services application which is created using Win32 - VC++. The usage of this application is - it will act as a Windows service which is able to fork and monitor any number of sub processes which are running under this service. The applications can be of any type like GUI, non-GUI etc.
This application will help you know about the following topics related to a service application:
How to create/install a new Windows Service.
How to map some applications to a particular Windows Service, and control the application by the service. (How to connect to the Control Service Manager.)
How to start/run Window services.
How to stop/kill Window services.
How to uninstall Windows services.
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There is also FireDaemon (http://www.firedaemon.com/), but this costs $35.
Regarding remote desktop...if you set your server to automatically log in a user and run PowerHome, you can try running VNC (I prefer Ultra VNC - http://www.uvnc.com/) and login using VNC instead of remote desktop. I admit remote desktop provides a better user experience, but VNC isn't too bad as a free alternative.
-Dean
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Topic: Proper way to migrate and run on a server
