run from network with crystal viewer 1

[techsmith]

We have a VS2003 application running from a network location, but the application fails when run on clients without crystal installed. We are using Crystal 10 libraries.

All other controls/components are supported by adding the dll files to the application folder, but this does not seem to work for the Crystal Viewer.

All documentation seems to point to a client installation of the merge modules or net_server_install, but we have several limitations that make these very difficult. Are there any options that don't require a client installation, or a minimal installation such as a registry setting with dlls in the application folder?

 

[macleod1021]

Unless things have changed since version 8.5, there's a Report Viewer component that you can add to your project. This keeps all of the CR module within your form. The problem that you're running into now, sounds like you're acctually calling the report using an external link. Since CR isn't installed on the client, it doesn't know what to do.

If you use this component, make sure you remember to copy the .ocx file when you deploy it.

 

[techsmith]

We are using the crystal report viewer.

The issue is how to avoid a client installation. The application is run from the network and only fails for clients without Crystal installed.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

No dice. CR is still COM based, which means its libraries need to be locally registered. You will need to do one of the following:

1) Install your app with the CR Runtime libs on the target PCs
2) Manually install the CR Runtim libs on the target PCs
3) Install CR on the target PCs

Alternatively, you could set up a web system. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the installations and you can use CR web services to build reports over the web. But that will require a new license with Business Objects. You could also set up a windows application that resides on a network machine with CR installed that accepts a series of parameters and generates a report. You might have to do some remoting trickery or service calls (or any other number of tricks) to make sure that the report generator is executing on the target machine and not the calling machine. It's not real pretty, but it could work.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[techsmith]

Thanks Rick - at last an answer that explains why I can't find a solution to my problem. Looks like I'm going to have to do the client merge modules install after all.

Is there a way to run this from within my app in response to the exception I'm seeing?

I would need the install to run under an admin account as our users have zero rights on their machines.

I'm guessing I could google now that I have an answerable question, but if you can help with something off the top of your head it will help me meet a critical deadline.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

You could see if you could have the app start a process that would call the MM install while impersonating an Admin account. I haven't worked much on that kind of thing, but I would think googling for "VB.Net" impersonate lauch process might dig something up. If not, some of the other guys here might have more insight on the issue.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[djj55]

Rick, I have not used Crystal with VB.NET. You state that You will need to do one of the following:.... I understand how to 1) Install your app with the CR Runtime libs on the target PCs.

My question is will this permit a program installed on a stand alone machine to display a Crystal report, without loading Crystal or buying another license?

Thank you,
djj

 

[ThatRickGuy]

The CR Runtime libraries (the .Net Merge Modules) are a royalty free distributable. So you can include those libraries in any project and deploy them how ever you like with out worrying about licenses. Those libraries are for viewing only, so you are free to write a CR viewing app. If you want to run the CR Viewer on a web server though, you need a server license. Or if you want to modify the report view your application, you need a different set of libraries and the license to go with them.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[djj55]

Thank you for the information.
djj

 

[techsmith]

If anyone reading this thread wants to know how I handled the impersonation problem I posted the CODE thread796-1235871