Installing and Configuring Internet Information Services (IIS)

This document provides a comprehensive guide to installing and configuring Internet Information Services (IIS) on your Windows server. IIS is a powerful and flexible web server that enables you to host dynamic websites, applications, and services.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the installation, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

A supported version of Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2019, 2022) or Windows 10/11 Pro/Enterprise.
Administrator privileges on the server.
Network connectivity.

Installation Methods

IIS can be installed using several methods:

1. Using Server Manager (Recommended for Windows Server)

Open Server Manager from the Start menu.
Click Manage > Add Roles and Features.
In the Before You Begin wizard, click Next.
Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
Choose the destination server (your local server) and click Next.
In the Server Roles list, select Web Server (IIS).
A dialog box will appear asking to add required features for Web Server (IIS). Click Add Features.
Review the selected role services and features. You can add more specific components as needed under the Web Server (IIS) node. Click Next.
In the Features section, select any additional features you require (e.g., ASP.NET versions, CGI). Click Next.
On the Web Server Role (IIS) confirmation screen, click Next.
Review the role services for the Web Server (IIS) role. The default selections are generally sufficient for most basic setups. Click Next.
Click Install to begin the installation process.
Once the installation is complete, click Close.

2. Using PowerShell

You can also install IIS using PowerShell commands:

Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

3. Using IIS Manager (for Feature Installation/Removal)

After the initial installation, you can use IIS Manager to add or remove specific role services.

Basic Configuration

Once IIS is installed, you'll need to perform some basic configuration.

Accessing IIS Manager

You can open IIS Manager by searching for "Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager" in the Start menu or by running inetmgr.

Default Website

IIS installs a default website that listens on port 80. You can find its content in C:\inetpub\wwwroot. To manage it:

Expand the server name in IIS Manager.
Click on Sites.
Select the Default Web Site.
You can now start, stop, browse, or configure its settings.

Adding a New Website

To host multiple websites on the same server, you can add new sites:

In IIS Manager, right-click on Sites in the Connections pane and select Add Website....
Enter a Site name.
Specify the Physical path to your website's content.
Enter the Binding information:
- Type: Typically HTTP.
- IP address: All Unassigned is common.
- Port: Usually 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS.
- Host name: The domain name for your site (e.g., www.example.com).
Click OK.

Key IIS Concepts

Application Pools: Isolate web applications for better stability and security.
Websites: The core units of hosting, each with its own bindings and configuration.
Virtual Directories and Applications: Allow you to map URLs to different physical directories.
Handler Mappings: Define how IIS processes requests for different file types.

Note: For security, it's highly recommended to configure HTTPS bindings with SSL certificates and disable older, less secure protocols.

Next Steps

After installation and basic configuration, consider exploring:

Managing Websites in IIS
IIS Security Best Practices
Configuring specific application frameworks like ASP.NET or PHP.