Configure RightFax RFCOMAPI.dll as a COM+ application on a 64-bit server

On 64-bit servers, the RightFax RFCOMAPI.dll must be hosted in a dedicated 32-bit COM+ Server Application to allow STARLIMS to communicate with RightFax. This article describes how to create the COM+ application and register the DLL as a component.

Prerequisites

• STARLIMS Technology Platform Version 11 or later
• 64-bit Windows Server
• RightFax installed — RFCOMAPI.dll present in the RightFax Shared Files directory
• Local administrator rights on the server
• The Windows account used by STARLIMS (e.g. Network Service or a domain account)

Note: This configuration is required only on 64-bit systems. On 32-bit systems, RFCOMAPI.dll works without additional COM+ configuration.

Part 1: Create the COM+ Server Application

1. Open Component Services. Press <Windows> + <R>, type dcomcnfg.exe, and press <Enter>. Alternatively, go to Control Panel → System and Security → Administrative Tools → Component Services.
2. In the left pane, expand Console Root → Component Services → Computers → My Computer.
3. Right-click COM+ Applications and select New → Application. The COM+ Application Install Wizard opens.
4. Click <Next>, then click Create an empty application.
5. Enter a name for the application (e.g. RF Com), select Server application, and click <Next>.
6. On the Application Identity page, leave the default selection Interactive User – the current logged on user and click <Next>.
7. On the Application Roles page, click <Next>.
8. On the Add Users to Roles page, expand Users. Click Users, then click <Add>. Find and select the Windows account used by STARLIMS (e.g. Network Service or the configured domain account) and click <OK>. Click <Next>.
9. Click <Finish>.

Part 2: Register RFCOMAPI.dll as a component

1. In Component Services, expand COM+ Applications and locate the application created in Part 1. Expand it, right-click Components, and select New → Component.
2. Click <Next> in the wizard.
3. Click Install new component(s).
4. Browse to the RightFax Shared Files directory and select RFCOMAPI.dll, for example:

C:\Program Files (x86)\RightFax\Shared Files\RFCOMAPI.dll

5. Click <Open>.
6. Click <Next>, then click <Finish>.
7. Verify the registration. In Component Services, expand COM+ Applications → <your application name> → Components. The COM components hosted by RFCOMAPI.dll should appear in the list.

Expected result

The RFCOMAPI.dll components are visible under the COM+ application in Component Services. STARLIMS can communicate with RightFax on the 64-bit server without COM interop errors.

Notes

• The STARLIMS service account must be in the Users role of the COM+ application. If a different Windows account is later used for STARLIMS, repeat step 8 of Part 1 to add the new account.
• If RFCOMAPI.dll is updated as part of a RightFax upgrade, the component registration may need to be refreshed. Remove and re-add the component following Part 2.