How to Host ASP.NET Website on IIS Server

Hello Dev, if you are reading this, then you must be looking to host your ASP.NET website on IIS server. Hosting your website on IIS server provides better security, reliability, and scalability. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of hosting ASP.NET website on IIS server.

Prerequisites

Before we start, you need to ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

Prerequisites	Version
Windows OS	Windows 10 or later
IIS	IIS 10 or later
ASP.NET	ASP.NET 4.5 or later

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Install IIS on Windows

The first step to host an ASP.NET website on IIS server is to install IIS on your Windows machine. Follow the below-given steps:

• Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Turn Windows features on or off.
• Expand the Internet Information Services node.
• Check the box next to Web Management Tools and World Wide Web Services.
• Click OK to install IIS on your Windows machine.

Step 2: Install .NET Framework and ASP.NET

The next step is to install .NET framework and ASP.NET on your machine. Follow the below-given steps:

• Download the latest .NET framework and ASP.NET from the official website.
• Run the setup and follow the instructions to install .NET framework and ASP.NET.
• After installation, restart your machine to apply the changes.

Step 3: Create ASP.NET Website

The next step is to create an ASP.NET website. Follow the below-given steps:

• Open Visual Studio on your machine.
• Select File -> New -> Website.
• Select ASP.NET Web Application template.
• Enter the name and location of the website.
• Select the appropriate .NET framework version.
• Click OK to create the ASP.NET website.

Step 4: Publish ASP.NET Website

The next step is to publish the ASP.NET website. Follow the below-given steps:

• Right-click on the website in the Solution Explorer.
• Select Publish -> Publish Web.
• Select the appropriate publishing method (FTP, File System, Web Deploy).
• Enter the publishing details and click Next.
• Select the appropriate settings for publishing and click Publish.

Step 5: Create IIS Website

The next step is to create an IIS website. Follow the below-given steps:

• Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager from the Start menu.
• Right-click on Sites and select Add Website.
• Enter the website name, physical path, and host name.
• Set the appropriate binding and click OK to create the IIS website.

Step 6: Configure IIS Website

The final step is to configure the IIS website. Follow the below-given steps:

• Click on the newly created website in IIS Manager.
• Click on Authentication and enable Anonymous Authentication.
• Click on Handler Mappings and ensure that ASP.NET v4.0 is enabled.
• Click on Default Document and ensure that your default file is listed.
• Click on Application Pools and ensure that the .NET framework version matches with your website.
• Restart IIS to apply the changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can I host multiple ASP.NET websites on the same IIS server?

Yes, you can host multiple ASP.NET websites on the same IIS server by creating multiple IIS websites and following the same steps as mentioned above.

Q2. What is the difference between FTP and Web Deploy publishing methods?

FTP is a reliable and easy-to-use publishing method that uses FTP protocol to transfer files to the server. Web Deploy is a more advanced publishing method that provides features like incremental publishing, database deployment, and web application packaging.

Q3. Can I host ASP.NET Core website on IIS server?

Yes, you can host ASP.NET Core website on IIS server by following the same steps as mentioned above with some modifications.

Q4. Can I host ASP.NET website on Linux server?

Yes, you can host ASP.NET website on Linux server using .NET Core and Apache web server.

Q5. How can I secure my hosted ASP.NET website?

You can secure your hosted ASP.NET website by using SSL/TLS certificate, enabling security headers, and implementing secure coding practices.

Conclusion

Hosting your ASP.NET website on IIS server provides better security, reliability, and scalability. In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to host ASP.NET website on IIS server. We hope this article has helped you in hosting your website on IIS server.