ActiveX File Upload

[MDB]

Hello all, I am thinking about writing my own ActiveX File upload control
in order to try and speed up files being uploaded / FTP'd to my webserver.
My first question is, will this make a difference in the speed of the files
being uploaded? Second, does anyone have any pointers or suggestions for me
on things I should watch out for or examples?

 

[Mark Rae [MVP]]

I am thinking about writing my own ActiveX File upload control things I
should watch out for

ActiveX is restricted to Microsoft Internet Explorer - no other browsers
supports it, nor are they ever likely to...

While IE represents the largest share of the browser market
(http://www.thecounter.com/stats/2008/January/browser.php), you should
really think carefully before using ActiveX on a public website...

 

[bruce barker]

http/ftp upload use a standard tcp/ip stream to upload a file. you cannot
make this go faster with your own code. you have two options:

1) add compression before upload (zip it first), this won't work if already
done.

2) write a private protocol not using streams, but switch to UDP. UPD is not
a reliable protocol, so you need to handle sequencing and rebroadcast of lost
packets. UPD is faster than TCP because there is no ack between packets. you
usually send multiple packets then a ack pack.

note: tcp/ip now uses sliding windows (more packets before ack), so you will
need to be a really good coder to beat it, but you can.


-- bruce (sqlwork.com)

 

[MDB]

Thanks Bruce, my idea of writing an activex control was so I could add
compression to the files or resize images being uploaded. I am pretty sure
this has to be done using sometype of active x control, am I correct?

 

[bruce barker]

yes. the active/x control will also need to be signed.

or you could write the tool in silverlight.

-- bruce (sqlwork.com)

 

[MDB]

Thanks, I have been thinking about looking into silverlight anyway. I guess
now will be a good time to do so.