N Tier using WCF & ASP.NET

[bido]

I am designing a typical N tier system, that will be used from windows desktop clients and web browsers.

So basically, I was thinking of building a central WCF that abstracts user authentication, user authorization, data access and business logic.

But the thing is I will be building an ASP.NET website too.
So I was thinking of doing the following :
ASP.NET Website ----> WCF ----> (business access, data access .. etc)

I am worried about how such a solution will perform. The thing is we need both the WCF Service and the ASP.NET website. And we are thinking of introducing the WCF between the ASP.NET website and the business layer.

How much will that affect the overall system performance?

[Frinavale]

In your case WCF is the way to go because both your web application (ASP.NET app) and a desktop client use the same functionality which you will service on the web.

The MSDN Library has many articles on WCF. I would strongly recommend starting your research there and then consider picking up a book on the topic.

-Frinny