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C# Twilio retrieve composition media

I'm trying to download a composition media file into my hard drive using the following code:
try
{
var uri = "https://video.twilio.com/v1/Compositions/" + sid + "/Media?Ttl=6000";
var request = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(uri);
request.Headers.Add("Authorization", "Basic " + Convert.ToBase64String(Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(_apiKeySid + ":" + _apiKeySecret)));
request.AllowAutoRedirect = false;
var responseBody = new StreamReader(request.GetResponse().GetResponseStream()).ReadToEnd();
var mediaLocation = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Dictionary<string, string>>(responseBody)["redirect_to"];
new WebClient().DownloadFile(mediaLocation, "D:\\test.mp4");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
var temp = ex.Message;
}
But every time I get an exception with this message: "The remote server returned an error: (302) FOUND."
Note that this method is called after Twilio calls my StatusCallback method which I've set when creating a new composition using CompositionResource.CreateAsync method.

So, the problem was that the request was being redirected to a new location, so all I had to do was to allow redirects for the request and then download the file by copying the stream object to a file, like this:
var uri = "https://video.twilio.com/v1/Compositions/" + sid + "/Media?Ttl=6000";
var request = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(uri);
request.Headers.Add("Authorization", "Basic " + Convert.ToBase64String(Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(_apiKeySid + ":" + _apiKeySecret)));
request.AllowAutoRedirect = true;
var responseBody = (await request.GetResponseAsync()).GetResponseStream();
using (var fs = File.Create(#"D:\test.mp4"))
{
responseBody.CopyTo(fs);
}

302 Found means that the resource that you are looking for has been moved to the different URL. Check the Location Header of the response to see what is the new URL.
302 Found
The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 302 Found redirect status
response code indicates that the resource requested has been
temporarily moved to the URL given by the Location header. A browser
redirects to this page but search engines don't update their links to
the resource (in 'SEO-speak', it is said that the 'link-juice' is not
sent to the new URL).

Making POST API request via c# with hashed API Key

I'm trying to make a POST call (from a C# WPF app) to a web service on an internal intranet (so I can't give the exact URL sorry), which is basically a url shortening service.
The page gives the following instructions:
In order to use the API service, simply make HTTP POST requests to this URL:
https://...internalAddress.../api/<method>
For example, to create a snip, make an HTTP POST request to:
https://...internalAddress.../api/shorten
with these parameters:
api_key hash of a registered API key
url URL to be shortened
Now I have tried to implement this in a couple of different ways with what I've found via google / here, these are:
1:
string apiKey = "xxxx11112222333";
string urlForShortening = #"http://www.codeproject.com/Tips/497123/How-to-make-REST-requests-with-Csharp";
string destination = #"https://internalurl/api/shorten";
var httpWebRequest = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(destination);
httpWebRequest.ContentType = "text/json";
httpWebRequest.Method = "POST";
using (var streamWriter = new StreamWriter(httpWebRequest.GetRequestStream()))
{
streamWriter.Write("{'api_key': '" + apiKey + "', 'url': '" + urlForShortening + "'}");
}
var httpResponse = (HttpWebResponse)httpWebRequest.GetResponse();
using (var streamReader = new StreamReader(httpResponse.GetResponseStream()))
{
var responseText = streamReader.ReadToEnd();
MessageBox.Show(responseText);
}
2: (Using the rest library created in the article found in the shortening link)
string apiKey = "xxxx11112222333";
string urlForShortening = #"http://www.codeproject.com/Tips/497123/How-to-make-REST-requests-with-Csharp";
string destination = #"https://internalurl/api/shorten";
RestClient client = new RestClient(destination, HttpVerb.POST,
"{'api_key': '" + apiKey + "', 'url': '" + urlForShortening + "'}");
var json = client.MakeRequest();
MessageBox.Show(json);
have also tried feeding in the jsonData in double quotes:
var jsonData = "{\"api_key\": \"" + apiKey + "\", \"url\": \"" + urlForShortening + "\"}";
The result from both methods I always get is:
{"status": 400, "message": "Missing API key"}
Can someone please shed some light on what I'm doing wrong?
From the brief, I think the key may need to be hashed in some form and not sure how to do this.

Turns out my whole implementation was wrong, I was trying to send the data as JSON / using the wrong classes instead of a vanilla HTTP POST.
I used Method 2 found in this article and it worked fine: HTTP request with post
ie.
using (var client = new WebClient())
{
var values = new NameValueCollection();
values["api_key"] = "xxxx11112222333";
values["url"] = #"http://www.codeproject.com";
string destination = #"https://internalurl/api/shorten";
var response = client.UploadValues(destination, values);
var responseString = Encoding.Default.GetString(response);
MessageBox.Show(responseString);
}
Thanks for your help though!

I assume that you are attempting to send json data in the request body for the POST call to the API.
You dont seem to be providing a valid json here though. This is what you are sending now:
{'api_key':'someApiKey'}
{'url':'someUrlForShortening'}
Use a json validator to ensure you have a valid json document before you attempt to send it to the API.
A valid json would be
{
"api_key":"someApiKey",
"url":"someUrlForShortening"
}

Using uTorrent Web API via .NET

I'm trying to get list of torrents from uTorrent using Web API. Getting required token goes O.K.:
WebClient client = new WebClient() { Credentials = new NetworkCredential(UserName, pass) };
StreamReader Reader = new StreamReader(client.OpenRead("http://localhost:" + port + "/gui/token.html"));
string token = Reader.ReadToEnd();
token = token.Split('>')[2].Split('<')[0];
// token is now something like 3LemfrO_-A-SNBXlnQ2QcQWTYydx7qOqKb1W1S54JJW74Ly3EYGgu0xQSU4AAAAA
But when I try to use it to get list of torrents:
Reader = new StreamReader(client.OpenRead("http://localhost:" + port + "/gui/?list=1&token=" + token));
all I get is "Error 400 Bad request".
I've tried to get token manually. In browser page "http://localhost:30303/gui/?list=1&token=3LemfrO_-A-SNBXlnQ2QcQWTYydx7qOqKb1W1S54JJW74Ly3EYGgu0xQSU4AAAAA" opens as it should, but in C# with the same link without any variables I still get error 400.
The interesting part is that if switch off token authentication WebClient load page perfectly with and without
"&token=3LemfrO_-A-SNBXlnQ2QcQWTYydx7qOqKb1W1S54JJW74Ly3EYGgu0xQSU4AAAAA"
but token auth enabled by default, so my and any app should use it.
And yes, WebRequest/HttpWebRequest didn't help also.
P.S. sorry for my English, I was never able to make it work right

you have to save the cookie from the request
Classes.CookieAwareWebClient client = new Classes.CookieAwareWebClient() { Credentials = new NetworkCredential("shehab", "shehab") };
StreamReader Reader = new StreamReader(client.OpenRead("http://localhost:" + "8080" + "/gui/token.html"));
string token = HtmlRemoval.StripTagsRegexCompiled(Reader.ReadToEnd());
MessageBox.Show(token);
Reader = new StreamReader(client.OpenRead("http://localhost:" + "8080" + "/gui/?list=1&token=" + token));
MessageBox.Show(Reader.ReadToEnd());
and for the cookie aware class go to the following link(Using CookieContainer with WebClient class) as web client doesn't support cookies.

You should save cookies from request
WebRequest request = WebRequest.Create("http://localhost:" + port + "/gui/token.html");
CookieContainer cookies = new CookieContainer();
(request as HttpWebRequest).CookieContainer = cookies;
And then use it in every other request to uTorrent when using the same token:
request = WebRequest.Create("http://localhost:" + port + "/gui/?list=1&token=" + token);
(request as HttpWebRequest).CookieContainer = cookies;

I have a simple 3-step suggestion:
When you use your browser with the token, use Fiddler2 to analyze the HTTP traffic between the server and browser.
Open up your C# app and use Fiddler2 to analyze the HTTP traffic between the server and your app.
Compare the HTTP requests and responses for the browser with the requests and responses for the C# app. If you see a significant difference, there is a good chance that could be the problem.

Why my Http client making 2 requests when I specify credentials?

I created RESTful webservice (WCF) where I check credentials on each request. One of my clients is Android app and everything seems to be great on server side. I get request and if it's got proper header - I process it, etc..
Now I created client app that uses this service. This is how I do GET:
// Create the web request
var request = WebRequest.Create(Context.ServiceURL + uri) as HttpWebRequest;
if (request != null)
{
request.ContentType = "application/json";
// Add authentication to request
request.Credentials = new NetworkCredential(Context.UserName, Context.Password);
// Get response
using (var response = request.GetResponse() as HttpWebResponse)
{
// Get the response stream
if (response != null)
{
var reader = new StreamReader(response.GetResponseStream());
// Console application output
var s = reader.ReadToEnd();
var serializer = new JavaScriptSerializer();
var returnValue = (T)serializer.Deserialize(s, typeof(T));
return returnValue;
}
}
}
So, this code get's my resource and deserializes it. As you see - I'm passing credentials in my call.
Then when debugging on server-side I noticed that I get 2 requests every time - one without authentication header and then server sends back response and second request comes bach with credentials. I think it's bad for my server - I'd rather don't make any roundtrips. How should I change client so it doesn't happen? See screenshot of Fiddler
EDIT:
This is JAVA code I use from Android - it doesn't do double-call:
MyHttpResponse response = new MyHttpResponse();
HttpClient client = mMyApplication.getHttpClient();
try
{
HttpGet request = new HttpGet(serviceURL + url);
request.setHeader(new BasicHeader(HTTP.CONTENT_TYPE, "application/json"));
request.addHeader("Authorization", "Basic " + Preferences.getAuthorizationTicket(mContext));
ResponseHandler<String> handler = new BasicResponseHandler();
response.Body = client.execute(request, handler);
response.Code = HttpURLConnection.HTTP_OK;
response.Message = "OK";
}
catch (HttpResponseException e)
{
response.Code = e.getStatusCode();
response.Message = e.getMessage();
LogData.InsertError(mContext, e);
}

The initial request doesn't ever specify the basic header for authentication. Additionally, since a realm is specified, you have to get that from the server. So you have to ask once: "hey, I need this stuff" and the server goes "who are you? the realm of answering is 'secure area'." (because realm means something here) Just because you added it here:
request.Credentials = new NetworkCredential(Context.UserName, Context.Password);
doesn't mean that it's going to be for sure attached everytime to the request.
Then you respond with the username/password (in this case you're doing BASIC so it's base64 encoded as name:password) and the server decodes it and says "ok, you're all clear, here's your data".
This is going to happen on a regular basis, and there's not a lot you can do about it. I would suggest that you also turn on HTTPS since the authentication is happening in plain text over the internet. (actually what you show seems to be over the intranet, but if you do go over the internet make it https).
Here's a link to Wikipedia that might help you further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_access_authentication

Ok, I got it. I manually set HttpHeader instead of using request.Credentials
request.Headers.Add(HttpRequestHeader.Authorization, "Basic " + Convert.ToBase64String(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(Context.UserName + ":" + Context.Password)));
Now I see only single requests as expected..

As an option you can use PreAuthenticate property of HttpClientHandler. This would require a couple of lines more
var client = new HttpClient(new HttpClientHandler
{
Credentials = yourCredentials,
PreAuthenticate = true
});
With using this approach, only the first request is sent without credentials, but all the rest requests are OK.

How to call an external URL from a ASP.NET MVC solution

First post inhere ever. So better make it a good one.
I have a ASP.NET MVC 2 web application in which I have an actionResult I need to do a call for me.
The thing is I need this A.R to handle some data operations and after that I need it to call an external URL which is actually a Company Module that handles sending messages to our company handset phones.
It just needs to call the URL that looks like this:
string url = "http://x.x.x.x/cgi-bin/npcgi?no=" + phoneNumber + "&msg=" + message;
I don't need any return message or anything. Just want to call that external URL which is of course outside the scope of my own web application. (I do not want to Redirect). That URL must be called behind the GUI without the user ever realising. And the page that they are viewing must not be affected.
I tried with:
Server.Execute(url);
However did not work. I've heard that some ppl go about this by having a hidden iFrame on the page. The setting the src to the url one may need and then somehow execute that, to get the call instantiated. It doesn't seem so elegant to me, but if that is the only solution, does anyone have an example as to how that is done. Or if you have a more sleek suggestion I am all ears.

I finally got it working with this piece of code:
string messageToCallInPatient = "The doctor is ready to see you in 5 minutes. Please wait outside room " + roomName;
string url = "http://x.x.x.x/cgi-bin/npcgi?no=" + phoneNumber + "&msg=" +
messageToCallInPatient;
HttpWebRequest webReq = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(string.Format(url));
webReq.Method = "GET";
HttpWebResponse webResponse = (HttpWebResponse)webReq.GetResponse();
//I don't use the response for anything right now. But I might log the response answer later on.
Stream answer = webResponse.GetResponseStream();
StreamReader _recivedAnswer = new StreamReader(answer);

Since you don't expect a return value from the url, simplest way is
After the AR Execution, use Webclient to trigger the URL
Either by HTTP GET or POST (Synchronous or Asynchronous)
Sample code
WebClient wc = new WebClient();
wc.UploadProgressChanged += (sender, evtarg) =>
{
Console.WriteLine(evtarg.ProgressPercentage);
};
wc.UploadDataCompleted += (sender, evtarg) =>
{
String nResult;
if (evtarg.Result != null)
{
nResult = Encoding.ASCII.GetString(evtarg.Result);
Console.WriteLine("STATUS : " + nResult);
}
else
Console.WriteLine("Unexpected Error");
};
String sp= "npcgi??no=" + phoneNumber + "&msg=" + message;
System.Uri uri = new Uri("http://x.x.x.x/cgi-bin/");
wc.UploadDataAsync(uri, System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(sb);
The sample uses HTTP POST and Asynchronous call( So it will return immediately after triggering the URL - Non blocking)

You can use simply " return Redirect(url);"