Windows Application VS windows Service

Please note that, starting from version 3.0, we stopped supporting the application mode. This article is to provide information for users who ever used or are still using the application mode.

AXIS GridLink Controller was introduced as a Windows application in its very first version. Starting from version 2.0, the Windows service mode of the controller is also available. Although AXIS end users will not notice virtually any difference when submitting and monitoring their remote jobs on the farm, the service mode will bring 2 major advantages to the person who administrates the farm:

1. When installing/uninstalling GridLink on the farm, the user doesn’t need to log on each server and do this one by one. This can be done remotely from one machine. Please note that administrator’s right is required to install/uninstall and manage Windows services.

2. The user doesn’t need to keep a live session for GridLink controller any more. Even if he/she logs off from the server, GridLink service will be still running.

Starting from version 3.0, we stopped supporting the application mode. Users who are still using the application mode are strongly recommended to upgrade their GridLink to take advantage of the service mode.

If you have installed the controller application before and wish to upgrade to the service mode now, you need to make sure that you have stopped the controller on all machines before you install a new version. Also, you should NOT have controller.exe in the start-up program group or any batch file automatically executed on start-up.