You can publish a Web service to the host computer, an RT target, or another Windows computer, so that the Web service can run without depending on the LabVIEW Development System. The process of publishing a Web service differs depending on which platform you use to host the Web service and how you want to distribute the Web service to the deployment target. The lifespan of the Web service also differs according to the method you use to publish the Web service.

Note For more information about concepts in this topic, refer to the Web services introduction and tutorial. LabVIEW Web services are available only in the LabVIEW Full Development System and the LabVIEW Professional Development System.

Refer to the following table to choose the appropriate method for publishing a Web service.

Use Case Deployment Target Hosting Server Method for Publishing Starts/Stops Running Context
The target is a Windows computer with NI Package Manager installed. Windows NI Web Server Publish the Web service through a package .nipkg. After you install/remove the package A unique context for each Web service within the AQMP Web Service Host process
The target is a Windows computer without NI software installed. Windows NI Web Server Publish the Web service through a package installer. After you finish the installation/removal process A unique context for each Web service within the AQMP Web Service Host process
Application Web Server Publish the Web service through an installer. After you finish the installation/removal process A unique context for each Web service within Application Web Server process
The Web service needs to communicate with a stand-alone application and runs only within the application life time. Windows NI Web Server Publish the Web service through a stand-alone application .exe. When the application starts/stops running Main application instance, where the startup VI of the stand-alone application runs
Windows and Real-Time Application Web Server
The target is the host computer or a connected RT target. The Web service does not communicate with a stand-alone application. Windows and Real-Time Application Web Server Publish as a stand-alone Web service. When you publish/unpublish the Web service in your LabVIEW project A unique context for each Web service within Application Web Server process
Note The NI Web Server supports the Windows operating system only. The Application Web Server supports both the Windows operating system and RT targets.