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Configuring a Comm. Bridge as a Windows System Service › Interactive and Non-interactive Modes

Interactive and Non-interactive Modes

A Comm. Bridge running as a Windows system service can be run in either interactive or non-interactive mode. By default, the Comm. Bridge runs as a non-interactive service. Non-interactive services can be started without the system having an active desktop. This allows the service to run without requiring a user to log on. This in turn allows the services to restart automatically in an unattended mode should the system experience a reboot. When in non-interactive mode, no Comm. Bridge GUI dialogs or windows are displayed. Therefore, statistic gathering, client/server configuration, and log file viewing are not available using the Comm. Bridge GUI interface.

If a Comm. Bridge is run in interactive mode, the desktop must be active, which means that a user must be logged in before the service can start successfully. If the service is configured to start automatically then the Comm. Bridge GUI interface will pop up immediately when a user logs in. The service will not be usable until the user login activates the desktop.

If the Comm. Bridge GUI interface is exited, the service stops. If the Comm. Bridge GUI interface is not to be displayed, then the Comm. Bridge must be restarted from the Windows local services console interface window in non-interactive mode.

Interactive startup mode can be enabled (or disabled) using a user selectable check box found in the services properties dialog. To enable (or disable) the interactive mode of operation:

Follow these steps:

  1. Open the system control panel.
  2. Select Administrative Tools and double-click the Services item.
  3. Select the appropriate service.
  4. Click the right mouse button, and then select Properties.
  5. Click the Log On tab on the service properties dialog.
  6. Select the Allow Service to Interact with Desktop check box to enable interactive startup. (Uncheck the check box to disable interactive startup).
  7. Click OK to dismiss the properties dialog.

The service is now ready to be restarted using the interactive mode selected.

Note: If running the Comm. Bridge as a Windows system service you must be sure the path to locate the CODEPAGE.INI file has been properly established. See the CODEPAGE.INI section below for additional details.