Multiple Consumers of an Object on the Windows Platform?

Archived from groups: comp.security.firewalls (More info?)

I am working this programming contract where multiple consumers of this
in house written VB.NET Com compliant dll (old legacy
systems/applications on servers and user workstations with applications
will be able to instantiate the dll and use the objects, methods and
properties of the dll. There will be heavy, heavy traffic to and from
this dll 24/7 365.

At this time, my experience with .NET, COM and COM+ DLL(s) are DLL(s)
setting on a workstation 2-Teir, 3-Teir with Citrix Terminal Server farm
and COM+ server, and .NET Windows Desktop Web application using IIS, .NET
Remoting and COM+ and DLL(s) using ASP .NET and C# DLL(s)on IIS.

Because of the multiple consumer user ability of the dll and it not being
implemented on a WEB or COM+ server where multiple instances of the dll
can be running on those types of servers what are the ramifications of it
not being on one of those type of servers? I have heard of an
Application Server but have never used one other than IIS and COM+. What
are the options here? And I'll tell you I don't think the project manager
or project lead knows.

Duane