Network Computer, Share and Printer Browser

Do you know anything about Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)?

Bob

I must admit bob, I don't know anything about the WMI.

I'm sorry, did I say WMI, I meant to say Active Directory:)  Here is an example:

 (1) Add a reference to the project for System.DirectoryServices.

 (2) Add a line at the top of the module where you put the code:

           Imports System.DirectoryServices

 (3) Add the following code to either a class or a form:

 Public Function EnumerateNetworkComputers() As SortedList

    Dim listComputers As SortedList = New SortedList

    Try

      Dim searchComputers As DirectorySearcher = New DirectorySearcher("objectClass=computer")

      For Each currentComputer As SearchResult In searchComputers.FindAll()

        Dim nameComputer As String = currentComputer.Properties("Name")(0)

        listComputers.Add(nameComputer, nameComputer)

      Next

    Catch ex As Exception

      MsgBox(ex.ToString)

    End Try

    Return listComputers

  End Function 'EnumerateNetworkComputers'


Bob

Bob, I tried this and it failed on the line:

 - For Each currentComputer As SearchResult In searchComputers.FindAll()

The error message is:

System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x8007054B): The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind(Boolean throwIfFail)
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.Bind()
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectoryEntry.get_AdsObject()
   at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection.PopulateList()
   at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyValueCollection..ctor(DirectoryEntry entry, String propertyName)
   at System.DirectoryServices.PropertyCollection.get_Item(String propertyName)
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectorySearcher.get_SearchRoot()
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectorySearcher.FindAll(Boolean findMoreThanOne)
   at System.DirectoryServices.DirectorySearcher.FindAll()
   at WMI.Form1.EnumerateNetworkComputers() in C:\Test\Form1.vb:line 291

Am I getting this error because I need to get a list of directories (networks) and then for each network, loop through the computers on that network.  If so how do I do this, and can this be adapted to get either printers or network shares.

Hancorp.

Do you have Active Directory services on your local domain (i.e. Windows 2000 Server)?

Bob

Yes Bob, I've just checked my COM references. ActiveDS is available under COM references.

Hai,

Check this link
http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=741&lngWId=10

Systems on Local Network :-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21064750/Find-servers-and-workstations-on-local-network.html

Printers List :-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Dim strprinters As String
        For Each strprinters In System.Drawing.Printing.PrinterSettings.InstalledPrinters
            ComboBox1.Items.Add(strprinters)
        Next

Network Shares Browser :-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dim shi As ShareCollection =  ShareCollection.LocalShares
If Not shi Is Nothing Then
    Dim si As Share
    For Each si In shi
        Console.WriteLine("{0}: {1} [{2}]",
            si.ShareType, si, si.Path)
 
        ' If this is a file-system share, try to
        ' list the first five subfolders.
        ' NB: If the share is on a removable device,
        ' you could get "Not ready" or "Access denied"
        ' exceptions.
        If si.IsFileSystem Then
            Try
                Dim d As System.IO.DirectoryInfo =  si.Root
                Dim Flds() As System.IO.DirectoryInfo =  d.GetDirectories()
                    Dim i As Integer
                    For  i = 0 To  Flds.Length And i < 5- 1  Step  i + 1
                          Console.WriteLine("\t{0} - {1}", i, Flds(i).FullName)
                    Next
 
                Console.WriteLine()
            Catch ex As Exception
                Console.WriteLine("\tError listing {0}:\n\t{1}\n",
                    si, ex.Message)
            End Try
        End If
    Next
Else
    Console.WriteLine("Unable to enumerate the local shares.")
End If
 
' Resolve local paths to UNC paths.
Console.WriteLine("{0} = {1}", fileName, ShareCollection.PathToUnc(fileName))

Hope it helps you.
Bye
Ajai

Ajai, will look into these.  Thanks.

Ajai and Bob, thanks guys.  I appreciate your help and the resources you have given me are excellent and do work.

Unfortunately, the company I work for will not move on the original specification that I have to work on.  The specification is as follows:

Through the use of the Win32 API, call the FolderBrowser dialog to enable users on both Windows 2000 and Windows XP to browse for network shared resources such as computers, printers, and files.  

I have been given 1 week in which to complete this task and I am struggling.  I have given other alternatives, such as those you have mentioned but they have been rejected.  

If you do know how to implement the Windows FolderBrowser using the Windows API, I would be very greatful.

Thanks again for the help you've already given.

Hai,

There is Folder Browser control available on .NET you can use that to open folders.

Sample code for opening folderborwser window.
        Dim MyDialog As New FolderBrowserDialog
        ' Sets the default location
        MyDialog.SelectedPath = "C:\"

        ' Update the text box folder if the user clicks OK
        If (MyDialog.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK) Then
             microsoft.VisualBasic.MsgBox(MyDialog.SelectedPath)
        End If

Hope it helps you.
Bye
Ajai

Thanks Ajai,
Tried this on a Windows 2000 intranet and it works fine.  Nice work.

Hai,

Most welcome.

Bye
Ajai