5.9. Implementing Broker with .NET Remoting Using Client-Activated Objects

5.9.1. Context

You are building an application in .NET that requires the use of distributed objects, the lifetimes of which are controlled by the client. Your requirements include the ability to pass objects by value or reference, whether those objects reside on the same computer, on different computers in the same local area network (LAN), or on different computers in a wide area network (WAN).

5.9.2. Implementation Strategy

This pattern presents two implementations of client-activated objects in .NET remoting. The main difference between client-activated objects (CAO) and server-activated objects (SAO) is what controls the lifetime of the remote object. In the CAO scenario, the client controls the lifetime; in the SAO scenario, the server controls the lifetime. The example used here is similar in functionality to the example used in Implementing Broker in .NET Using Server-Activated Objects. The first implementation uses client activation as it is described in the .NET documentation and samples. This implementation demonstrates the capabilities of client-activated objects; however, they do have some drawbacks. The second implementation, known as the hybrid approach, resolves these problems.