ASP NET Core out of process hosting

Introduction

This tutorial covers Out Of Process Hosting in ASP.NET Core, an important concept for deploying web applications. Out Of Process Hosting allows your ASP.NET Core application to run in a separate process from the web server, enabling better performance and flexibility. This guide will walk you through the key concepts and steps involved in setting up Out Of Process Hosting.

Step 1: Understanding Out Of Process Hosting

• In Out Of Process Hosting, the ASP.NET Core application runs in a separate process from the web server (e.g., Kestrel is often used).
• This setup allows for better resource management, as the web server can handle incoming requests while the application processes them separately.

Benefits include

• Improved performance and scalability.
• Easier debugging and error handling.
• Enhanced security as the application runs in its own isolated environment.

Step 2: Setting Up Your ASP.NET Core Application

• Create a new ASP.NET Core project using the .NET CLI or Visual Studio.
• Ensure that your project is configured to use Kestrel as the web server.
• Update your Program.cs file to configure the hosting:

  public class Program
  {
      public static void Main(string[] args)
      {
          CreateHostBuilder(args).Build().Run();
      }
  
      public static IHostBuilder CreateHostBuilder(string[] args) =>
          Host.CreateDefaultBuilder(args)
              .ConfigureWebHostDefaults(webBuilder =>
              {
                  webBuilder.UseStartup<Startup>();
              });
  }
  

• This code sets up Kestrel as the web server and specifies the Startup class to configure services and middleware.

Step 3: Configuring the Web Server

Modify the launchSettings.json file to specify how your application will be launched

• Define the profiles for development and production environments.
• Example configuration:

  {
      "profiles": {
          "IIS Express": {
              "commandName": "IISExpress",
              "launchBrowser": true,
              "environmentVariables": {
                  "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
              }
          },
          "MyAspNetCoreApp": {
              "commandName": "Project",
              "launchBrowser": true,
              "environmentVariables": {
                  "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
              }
          }
      }
  }
  

Step 4: Running Your Application

• Use the command line or Visual Studio to run your application.
• When running, ensure you are using the correct profile to take advantage of Out Of Process Hosting.
• Access your application via the specified URL in your browser to verify that it is running correctly.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the application fails to start, check the following

• Ensure all dependencies are correctly installed.
• Check for any misconfigurations in your Program.cs or launchSettings.json.
• Review the output window or console for error messages.

Conclusion

Out Of Process Hosting in ASP.NET Core enhances application performance and scalability. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can successfully set up and run your ASP.NET Core application using Out Of Process Hosting. For further learning, explore additional resources and documentation on ASP.NET Core configuration and deployment strategies.