How to Configure IIS on Windows XP Pro (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

IIS stands for Internet Information Services. IIS is a webserver that provides access to the web pages it contains. IIS is similar to Apache, except that it is easier to use. In fact, setting up IIS for the first time is easier than many think.

Steps

Step 1. Install IIS 5.1

This is a Windows add-on available on Windows XP or Windows XP Media Center

• Open the Control Panel from the Start menu

  

• Click on Add or Remove Programs

  

• Click on Add / Remove Windows Components

  

• Select Internet Information Services from the Windows Components wizard.

  

• Select Next. The wizard will ask you to insert the Windows installation disc.

  

• IIS 5.1 will be installed.

  

Step 2. Once fully installed you will need to open it (which may be difficult for the novice user, since there are no shortcuts on the desktop or in the start menu)

• First of all, go back to the Control Panel and click on Performance and Maintenance and click on Administrative Tools - on Service Pack 3, click directly on "Administrative Tools".

  

• You should now see "Internet Information Services". Open the program (you can create a desktop shortcut so it is easier to find in the future).

  

Step 3. If the program opens, congratulations, you have successfully installed it

Now, read on to set it up correctly.

Step 4. In the left panel select "Websites"

Step 5. Here you can check if the server is online or not, the IP address and the port it is using (port 80 is the default port, but you can change it if you need it

Step 6. Now, right click on "Default Website" and click on properties, then on the "Website" tab

Change the IP address by entering your local address, if it is not already set as the setting (to find out your local address, click on Start, then Run, type cmd, press Enter and type "ipconfig". Look at the indicated address to “IP Address.” This is the address you should enter on IIS.

Step 7. Now, you will need to decide which port to use (any port above 1024 is fine)

You can leave port 80, but only if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn't block it. If you decide to change the port, please note that all users of your website will need to type "domain.com:portnumber" to access your site.

Step 8. At this point, you will need to open the port on the router

To do this, log into your router's administration page and follow the steps outlined below:

Step 9. Next, go to the "Home Directory" tab and select a file path

You should use this format: letteradrive: / Inetpub / wwwroot. This folder is created automatically upon installation.

Step 10. Now, go to the Documents tab

On this tab you can set a default document to redirect the user to if a valid URL is not typed. To add a new document to the list click “Add” and type the name of the document (you don't need the path to the file, but the file must be in the home directory you chose previously).

Step 11. Next, choose the properties window and right click on "Default website" again

This time, click on "New" and then "Virtual Directory" (not mandatory, but recommended). Select a suitable virtual directory name such as “root” or something similar to avoid confusion.

Step 12. Now, expand the "Default Website" and you should see the name of your virtual directory

Expand the directory and you should see all the files contained in the "Home directory". Relax, we're almost done!

Step 13. Again, right click on "Default Website", this time go to "All Tasks" and click on "Permissions Wizard"

• Click on "Next".

  

• Select "New Template Security Settings".

  

• Click on "Next".

  

• Select "Publish Site". Now, keep clicking until you're done.

  

Step 14. Now, test the site and see if it works

Open your browser and type in the address bar: https:// local IP address: port / virtualdirectory / or type https:// computername: port / virtualdirectory / or, if you have not changed the default port (80), type https:// computername / virtualdirectory /

Step 15. To access the site from a computer outside the local network, type: https:// externalIPaddress: port / virtualdirectory / (again, if you haven't changed the port type https:// externalIPaddress / virtualdirectory /).

Step 16. To find out your external IP address go to

Step 17. If it works, well done

If that doesn't work, see the Recommendations section.

Advice

• A website requires a lot of bandwidth, so if you intend to run the server on your home computer, your connection will likely slow down.
• A method to check if the router port 80 has been blocked by the ISP could be this: go to start> run> cmd. In the command prompt, type telnet google.com 80. You can use any other website. If you don't get an error message, it means that port 80 is open and telnet is connected.
• Your permissions may be wrong. If you get a 401 error, run the permissions wizard again and review everything carefully.
• On IIS make sure the "Default Website" is online.
• Your site may not work because you have chosen port 80, which may be blocked. Try to simply change the port on IIS and router.
• You may have performed the port-forwarding procedure incorrectly, leaving the port closed.
• Try creating an exception on Windows Firewall for port 80.
• If Apache is open, close it, and also close all Apache processes listed in the Task Manager.
• For more information, Microsoft has IIS help pages, check them out.
• No-ip.com is a good site to link your IP address to a subdomain for free. Visit the site, register and read the instructions.

Warnings

• Do not upload illegal or copyrighted material to your server.
• Do not assign full permissions, otherwise strangers could view the contents of your folders and install viruses on your computer.