How to run the application without being killed after logging out?

Question

I have a Java application that should run on the server in the background (the application can be started by a command without a GUI). The problem is this: when I exit the server, the application will be killed. I am looking for something like this, for example nohup under Linux. I found some solutions, but I'm not sure which is better for my situation (Windows Server 2003, Java application starts from BAT-Script, reboots after the computer boots)? What are the advantages and disadvantages of solutions?

• psexec : should the process really run under the SYSTEM account?
• Combination of instsrv and srvany : But srvany should never be used in a production environment
• I started the application with scheduled tasks with the option to run NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM . But after logging out, the application was still killed. Can I make this work?
• DOS Task Scheduler AT Team

Answer 1

Just to add to the answers above.

Consider using http://wrapper.tanukisoftware.com . It is quite mature and popular (unlike ServiceEx and RunAsService).

Answer 2

• Write a Windows service (in Java, C # - I don't think it matters)
• Launch the application from your service.

or

• Launch the application as a window service using a three-way utility

Answer 3

The only way you can start a process without logging in is to start the process as a Windows service, or at least call the Windows service.

Answer 4

Yes, the Windows service is definitely suitable, but there are a few things to consider when starting a Java application as a Windows service. Most of them are described in this tutorial, which shows how to set up a Java application with our commercial all-as-in-application, AlwaysUp:

http://www.coretechnologies.com/products/AlwaysUp/Apps/RunJavaApplicationAsAService.html

Beware: you will almost certainly need the “-Xrs” flag in Windows 2003 to prevent closing behavior on output, but things can get complicated if you catch shutdown events. Let me know if this is a problem for your situation.