WCF VS WebAPI Analysis

Web API Advantages

·         This is the framework for building REST-full HTTP services over the .NET Framework.

·         Unlike WCF Rest service, it use the full features of HTTP (like URIs, request/response headers, caching, versioning, various content formats)

·         It also supports the MVC features such as routing, controllers, action results, filter, model binders, IOC container or dependency injection, unit testing that makes it more simple and robust.

·         It can be hosted with in the application or on IIS.

·         It is light weight architecture and good for devices which have limited bandwidth like smart phones.

·         It supports multiple data formats such as SOAP, JSON etc.

Based WCF Services Advantages

·         It is the evolution of the web service (ASMX) and supports various protocols like TCP, HTTP, HTTPS, Named Pipes, and MSMQ.

·         It can be hosted with in the application or on IIS or using window service

       It is based on SOAP and return data in XML form.

·         It is not open source but can be consumed by any client that understands xml.

To whom choose between WCF and WEB API

·         Choose WCF when you want to create a service that should support special scenarios such as one way messaging, message queues, duplex communication etc.

·         Choose WCF when you want to create a service that can use fast transport channels when available, such as TCP, Named Pipes, or maybe even UDP (in WCF 4.5), and you also want to support HTTP when all other transport channels are unavailable.

·         Choose Web API when you want to create a resource-oriented service over HTTP that can use the full features of HTTP (like URIs, request/response headers, caching, versioning, various content formats).

·         Choose Web API when you want to expose your service to a broad range of clients including browsers, mobiles, iPhone and tablets.

    Analysis

For Omnyx LVS, We need fast data transfer with in network with security so it would be good to use WCF data transfer using “NetTcpIpBinding” binding protocol (advantages of WCF for LVS project are highlighted in green).