multithreading - Best way to run a background task in ASP.Net web app and also get feedback?

Question

I am thinking on the following approach but not sure if its the best way out:

step1 (server side): A TaskMangaer class creates a new thread and start a task.
step2 (server side): Store taskManager object reference into the cache for future reference.
step3 (client side): Use periodic Ajax call to check the status of the task.

Basically the intention is to have a framework to run a background task (5mins approx) and provide regular feedback on the web UI for the percentage of task completed.

Is there a neat way around this or any existing asp.net API that will be helpful ?

Edit 1#: I want to run the task in-proc with the app.

Edit 2#: Looks like badge implementation on stack overflow is also using the cache to track background task. https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2008/07/easy-background-tasks-in-aspnet/

Answer 1

Microsoft Message Queuing was built for scenarios like the one you try to solve: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/msmq/default.mspx Windows Communicatio Foundation also has message queuing support. Hope this helps.

Thomas