How to test if server is running Windows 7?

[space889]

Hi, we have application that tests if a server is Windows 7. We currently do it by seeing if the following directory exists or not using the command below:
File f = new File(String.format("\\\\%s\\C$\\windows\\system32\ \tasks", hostName));

However, whenever this line runs, we get an exception saying the file can't be found. The file however can be accessed through Windows Explorer using command \\hostName\C$\windows\system32\tasks\

We all have local admin rights on the Windows 7 server machine as well.

So I'm wondering if there is a way to fix this issue or is there a better way to see if the server is running Windows 7 or not?

thanks!

[Norm]

Have you looked at System Properties: os.name

[Webuser]

Norm is right.

You can simply watch your system with System.properties method

I recommend reading this Listing All System Properties | Example Depot

[JosAH]

Norm is right.

No he's not; the OP wants to check a directory/file on another host by supplying an UNC name to the File class (which should work). My first action would be to print out and check the resulting UNC name.

kind regards,

Jos

[Norm]

What's a UNC name?

[JosAH]

What's a UNC name?

It's an acronym for 'Universal Naming Convention', a Microsoft invention, also used by Samba; it uses a host name, a partition name and a file path separated by several backslashes here and there ;-) Google knows the details.

kind regards,

Jos

[Norm]

Thanks.
My google came up with lots of University of North Carolina stuff.

[Norm]

Also I didn't know that you could access a server using the File class.
What kind of server is that?

[JosAH]

Also I didn't know that you could access a server using the File class.
What kind of server is that?

The server and the client have to run MS Windows (or have a Samba enabled filing system) and the particular 'partition' has to be shareable. UNC names can address the file(s) on the server through ordinary filing system calls then.

kind regards,

Jos

[Norm]

So the connection is via some MS software. Is there any need for there to be a server on any of the PCs?

[JosAH]

So the connection is via some MS software. Is there any need for there to be a server on any of the PCs?

Nope, not for UNC name resolution; shares are a MS thing that broadcast hosts all over the network, each machine is periodically yelling. Every other machine can use the shared partitions from that other host. The OP wants to (ab)use that feature to check whether or not a particular server runs on an MS Windows (7) machine.

kind regards,

Jos

[space889]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

JosAh you are right, we are trying to abuse this particular feature to find out if the server is Windows 7 or not.

The complete URN string is \\v-server-01\C$\windows\system32\tasks\

I think it's becaues of the C$ that MS Windows don't like. We can access it via Windows Explorer but not from Java File object. Might be some MS Windows security related?

As for testing os.name, how would I do that for a remote server?

thanks.

[Norm]

What type of server is it? What protocols does it support that you could use to ask it questions?

[space889]

It's a Windows 7 server machine. I'm not sure what kind of protocol you are referring to?

[Norm]

How do you use a server if there is no protocol for communicating with it?
Sample protocols: HTTP, FTP, SMTP

Can this server live outside of a MS environment?

How does java programming come into use here?

[JosAH]

The complete URN string is \\v-server-01\C$\windows\system32\tasks\

I think it's becaues of the C$ that MS Windows don't like. We can access it via Windows Explorer but not from Java File object. Might be some MS Windows security related?

Got it: remove that $ sign, i.e. make that file name "\\\\v-server-01\\C\\windows\\system32\\tasks"

Stupid UNC names ...

kind regards,

Jos

[Tolls]

Stupid UNC names ...

Am I the only one to have read that in a Homer Simpson voice?
:)

[JosAH]

Am I the only one to have read that in a Homer Simpson voice?
:)

Nope, I was first ;-)

kind regards,

Jos

[space889]

Hi, thanks for the replies.

I found the problem yesterday which is that I need to give myself full access rights to the folder in question. I was told by network that we (the programmers) have full admin rights on the server but apparently we don't and that's what is causing the Java program to fail. Once I gave myself full control to the folder, the File object can access the directory properly using the \\server\C$\... notation. The Java exception path not found was throwing me off a bit as well.

thanks for all the replies and help.