Setup a shared GSM modem

The remote connection using DCOM must be setup manually. This instruction is written for Windows XP SP2. This operation system is stable and well documented. Setup of remote connection on other systems (Windows 2000 or Windows Vista) is possible but not recommended.

DCOM uses TCP/IP protocol as the bearer. It is therefore recommended to disable Windows firewall. In Start menu, select Control Panel -> Windows Firewall, then select "Switch off" and click "OK".

Before setting up the DCOM connection, install Headwind GSM Modem Driver on the server and client computers. It is strongly recommended to connect the GSM device and setup Headwind GSM Modem Driver before using Headwind SMS Outlook Add-In. See the instructions to Headwind GSM Modem Driver for details.

Setting up the server computer

Run Headwind GSM Modem Driver once. Check that it works normally by sending SMS to some number. Close Headwind GSM Modem Driver after this test.
In Start menu, select "Run" or type Windows-R. Type "dcomcnfg.exe" and click "OK". The DCOM configuration console will appear.

In the DCOM configuration console, double-click "Component services" and then "Computers" in the left panel, then click "My computer" by right mouse button and select "Properties" menu item. A properties panel must appear.
Select "Default properties" tab and set the checkbox "Enable Distributed COM on this computer".

Select "COM security" tab. Click the "Default settings" button and allow remote access to "SYSTEM" group. Then click the "Default settings" button below and allow remote start to "SYSTEM" group.

Close the properties panel, expand the "My Computer" item, then expand "DCOM setup" item. A list of available COM applications must appear. Find the "HeadwindGSM" application, click the item by right mouse button and select "Properties".
Select "Location" tab; the only checked checkbox must be "Launch application on this computer".

Close the properties panel and the console. Headwind GSM Modem Driver is now ready to accept DCOM connections.

Setting up the client computer

Run the "dcomcnfg.exe" (see above).
Open the properties panel for "My Computer" in the DCOM configuration console.
Select "Default properties" tab and set the checkbox "Enable Distributed COM on this computer".
Select "COM security" tab. Allow remote access and remote run to all user groups by checking appropriate checkboxes.
Open the properties panel for "HeadwindGSM" (see above), select "Location" tab and uncheck the "Launch application on this computer" checkbox. Check the "Launch application on the remote computer" checkbox and choose the server computer by clicking "Find".

Close the properties panel and the console. The calls to Headwind GSM functions must be forwarded to the server computer.

After the DCOM is setup, launch Microsoft Outlook on the client computer and click "Send SMS" button. The Headwind SMS Outlook Add-In window must appear; at the same time, Headwind GSM Modem Driver must be run automatically on the server computer.