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3.3. Understanding Distributed COM (DCOM)

The Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is a protocol that enables software components to communicate directly over a network in a reliable, secure, and efficient manner. Previously called "Network OLE", DCOM is designed for use across multiple network transports, including Internet protocols such as HTTP.

The Component Object Model (COM) can make distributed applications secure without any security-specific coding or design in either the client or the component.

Just as the COM programming model hides a component's location, it also hides the security requirements of a component. The same binary code that works in a single-machine environment, in which security may be of no concern, can be used securely in a distributed environment.

  3.3.1. Running DCOMCNFG

Configure DCOM using a number of different utilities including MS DOS registry editor, OLE View utility, or DCOMCNFG configuration utility.

DCOMCNFG is a utility included with Microsoft Windows NT operating system and is used to configure various security-specific settings in the registry. To engage the program, follow these steps:

1. Click Start in Microsoft Windows.
2. Click Run from the program menu. The Run screen appears.
3. Type dcomcnfg in the Open field and click OK. The Distributed COM Configuration Properties screen appears.

If DCOMCNFG does not produce the properties screen, download and install it from the Microsoft web site. Configure an application's COM properties before attempting to communicate over the network. The DCOMCONFG utility can be used to set permissions for all or selected applications in the following categories:

1. Distributed components. By default, distributed components are enabled.
2. Application location or path.
3. Server applications.
4. User accounts. The client application uses this account to start processes and gain access to resources on the server computer.
5. Connections between applications, for example, packet encryption. Both computers that are running the client and the server applications must be configured for a distributed environment with the DCOMCONFG utility, as follows:

• Client Application. Specify the path to the server application. When a COM client application is used, it makes a request to a server application, which could be running on a different computer.
• Server Application. Specify the user accounts that will have permission to use or start and run the server application.

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