Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Communication Foundation: Sessions and Instancing

  • 9/24/2008
This chapter from MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-503): Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Communication Foundation answers the question of how sessions function within the WCF world. It also describes the various instancing options and the implications each choice has on the available functionality.

When a discussion of Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) turns to the concepts and details of sessions and instancing, it seems as though you’re starting to tread on common ground with Web developers. ASP.NET developers are likely to be familiar with the concepts associated with sessions. Although less directly, ASP.NET developers also deal with some of the aspects associated with instancing in relation to having a Web site hosted on a Web farm. However, the instancing issues will be more familiar to developers who have used .NET remoting in the past.

This chapter finds common ground for all developers, regardless of their background, and answers the question of how sessions function within the WCF world. It also describes the various instancing options and the implications each choice has on the available functionality. This content is definitely part of the certification exam; however, pay close attention because it is also frequently at the heart of real-world design choices.

Exam objectives in this chapter:

  • Manage instances.

  • Manage sessions.

Lessons in this chapter:

  • Lesson 1: Instancing Modes

  • Lesson 2: Working with Instances

Before You Begin

To complete the lessons in this chapter, you must have:

  • A computer that meets or exceeds the minimum hardware requirements listed in the introduction at the beginning of the book.

  • Any edition of Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (including Microsoft Visual C# 2008 Express edition or Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express edition) installed on the computer.