ASHX handler wont fire when path is entered - asp.net

Question

I have a file directory that can be access directly from the URL
e.g.
http://website.com/DirectoryName/folder/downloadpdf.pdf
I need to control whom can access the files so I have created a ASHX handler so I check permissions of the user.
however, when I access http://website.com/DirectoryName/ the handler doesnt get called.
I believe its something to do with my config, I have
<location path="DirectoryName">
<system.webServer>
<handlers>
<add name="PSHandler" path="DirectoryName/*" verb="*" type="ProjectName.PSHandler"/>
</handlers>
</system.webServer>
</location>
Different way - IIS 6?
<location path="DirectoryName">
<system.web>
<httpHandlers>
<add path="DirectoryName/*" verb="*" type="ProjectName.PSHandler, PSHandler"/>
</httpHandlers>
</system.web>
</location>
Is there something wrong with the above?
the ashx file
<%# WebHandler Language="VB" Class="PSHandler" %>
Imports System
Imports System.Web
Public Class PSHandler : Implements IHttpHandler
Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest
context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
context.Response.Write("Hello World")
End Sub
Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
Get
Return False
End Get
End Property
End Class
FYI this is by running locally using IIS Express
Thanks

Answer 1

I think you are very close. One thing is you will need to write file to response.
public class PSHandler : IHttpHandler
{
public void ProcessRequest(HttpContext context)
{
string fileName = Path.GetFileName(context.Request.Path);
string filePath = context.Server.MapPath("~/DirectoryName/" + fileName);
// Check permission of user
context.Response.ContentType = "application/pdf";
context.Response.WriteFile(filePath);
}
public bool IsReusable
{
get { return false; }
}
}
<system.webServer>
<handlers>
<add name="PS" path="DirectoryName/*" verb="*"
type="ProjectName.PSHandler, ProjectName"
preCondition="integratedMode"/>
</handlers>
</system.webServer>
Update
First of all, replace httpHandlers with authorization tag.
<location path="DirectoryName">
<system.web>
<authorization>
<deny users="*"/>
</authorization>
</system.web>
</location>
Then add handler inside application's web.config.
<system.webServer>
<handlers>
<add name="PS" path="DirectoryName/*" verb="*"
type="ProjectName.PSHandler, ProjectName"
preCondition="integratedMode"/>
</handlers>
</system.webServer>
Then copy and paste the following PSHandler code.
Public Class PSHandler
Implements IHttpHandler
Public Sub ProcessRequest(context As HttpContext)
Dim fileName As String = Path.GetFileName(context.Request.Path)
Dim filePath As String = context.Server.MapPath(Convert.ToString("~/DirectoryName/") & fileName)
' Check permission of user. If permission denied, display 404 -
' context.Server.Transfer("~/404.aspx")
context.Response.ContentType = "application/pdf"
context.Response.WriteFile(filePath)
End Sub
Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean
Get
Return False
End Get
End Property
End Class
Reqeust URL should be like this -
http://www.yourwebsite.com/DirectoryName/downloadpdf.pdf
OR
http://localhost:xxxx/DirectoryName/downloadpdf.pdf
Please make sure downloadpdf.pdf file exists in DirectoryName folder.
If it is still doesn't work, please create a new Web Application, and test the above code. I have tested and it works fine.