I'm currently trying to architect a distributed systems diagram. I am using Microsoft's DSfW as well as an ADAM server. However, there appears to be no ability for me to represent these in my application diagram. DSfW generates no WSDL so I cannot add it as an External Web Service. ADSI is not represented as a data provider so I cannot make the ADAM server an external database.

Do these exist yet and how can I grab/import them into the App Designer?

Hello
There are many types of external services that don't have specific shapes or endpoints for the application designer. However you can use a GenericApplication shape along with a GenericEndpoint. You can then create a connection from the GenericEndpoint to your application. You can then use the Setting and Constraints editor to configure any custom setting or constraints for the GenericApplication shape and your GenericEndpoint. This should allow you to model how your application talks to other apps\services that are not part of your project.

You may also want to take a look at Bill Gibson's blog. He does a very good job of covering how the designers work.

http://blogs.msdn.com/billgibson/

Thanks
Brian [MSFT]
Microsoft Developer Support
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

very cool stuff... thanks brian. you are a life saver!