Internet Information Services (IIS)

Internet Information Services (IS) is a flexible and generic web server from Microsoft that runs on Windows systems to provide the required HTML pages or files.

The IIS Web Server accepts requests from remote client computers and responds appropriately. This basic function enables web servers to share and transfer information over LANs such as corporate intranets and broadband (WAN) networks such as the Internet.

A web server can provide information to users in many forms, such as static web pages coded in HTML; By transferring files such as downloads and uploads; Text documents, image files, and more.

Web servers provide portals

Modern web servers can provide more functionality to the business and its users. Web servers are often used as web porters for complex and highly interactive Internet-based applications that connect middleware and company back-end applications to create enterprise-class systems. For example, Amazon's web services allow users to manage public cloud resources through a web portal. Meanwhile, streaming media services, Spotify for music, and Netflix for movies provide live streaming content through web servers.

How IIS Works

IIS operates through a variety of standard languages ​​and protocols. HTML is used to create elements such as text, buttons, image settings, direct interactions/behavior, and links. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the basic communication protocol used to exchange information between Web servers and users. HTTP - HTTP Over Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) - uses Transport Layer Security or SSL to encrypt communication for additional data security. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or its secure variant, FTPS, can transfer files.

Some of the more supported protocols include Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Email Sending, Receiving Protocol, and Network News Transfer Protocol for submitting Usenet articles.

IIS works with ASP.NET Core



ASP.NET Core Framework is the latest generation of Active Server Page (ASP), a server-side script engine that makes interactive web pages. A request is received from the web to the IIS server, which sends the request to the SPNet Core application, which processes the request and sends its response to the IIS server and the client that initiated the request. Examples of applications written in the ASP.NET Core include blog platforms and content management systems (CMS).

Developers can build IIS websites using a number of tools, including WebData, which can create and publish web content. Developers can also use integrated development tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio.
Versions of IIS

IS also developed with Microsoft Windows. Early versions of IIS came with Windows NT. IIS 1.0 appeared in Windows NT 3.51 and evolved through Windows NT 4.0 through IIS 4.0. IOS 5.0 sent with Windows 2000. Added IIS 6.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 IIS 7.0 offered a major redesign with Windows Server 2008 (IIS 7.5 is on Windows Server 2008 R2). IIS 8.0 came with Windows Server 2012 (Windows Server 2012 R2 uses IS 8.5). IS10 came with Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10.

Microsoft updated the new features and existing functionality with each iteration of IIS. For example, IIS 3.0 ASP was added for dynamic scripting; Added IPS 6.0 support for better security and reliability; Multicore scaling brought in IIS 8.0, non-uniform memory access hardware, centralized SSL certificate support, and server name indexing.

Features in IIS 10

IIS 10 also adds a number of new features and functionality.

IIS 10 adds support for HTTP / 2 to offer more efficient use of resources and less latency than HTTP 1.1. IIS 10 runs on a minimal Nano Server deployment model for Windows Server 2016 and can run ASP.NET Core, Apache Tomcat, and PHP loads on IIS on a Nano server.

IIS 10 works in a container and virtual machine, so developers and administrators have more flexibility in choosing deployment and density to host a wide range of web applications.

IIS Express for testing

Microsoft is offering developers a stand-alone version of IIS, called IIS Express, for testing websites. IIS Express offers all the basic features of a full IIS web server but allows you to perform many tasks without administrative privileges.

Security

To ensure the security of the website, organizations need to take security measures to protect the webserver from security breaches. Companies can use the features built into IIS to strengthen IIS.


Some ways to secure Windows IIS include:
  • Make sure the Windows operating system is updated with all the security features.
  • All features of IIS are not used to minimize hostile attacks.
  • Use firewalls to ensure that the server is only receiving valid applications.
  • Controls which IP address and domain can access the webserver.
  • Use URL licenses to apply rules for special requests, such as special URLs. The company can use the license URL or simply allow some users to view the application page.
  • Use logging to monitor visitors to the webserver.
  • Correct the error page to see only the information related to the issue. Make sure that error pages do not provide too much information, such as usernames, passwords, IP addresses of the server or any information that hackers can use to access a web server.

 Steps to install and configure IIS

Below is how to install IIS on a server running Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Windows Server 2016 and Microsoft Windows Server 2019.

These are the steps on how to install IIS using the Server Manager:
  • Press the [Windows] key and select the Administrator.
  • In the Server dashboard, click Manage> Add roles and features.
  • Click the type of installation.
  • Select the role according to the role or type of configuration and click Next.
  • Select the server on which IIS will be installed and click Next.
  • Open the Web Server (IIS) Account.
  • Click Add Extensions to add to the IIS Control Panel.
  • Click Next: SelectFeatures window will open.
  • Click Next: The Web Server Role (IIS) window will open.
  • Click Next: Select the Assignments window to open.
  • Select the required task and click Next.
  • Click Install to select the roles, services and features.
  • Click Close to complete the configuration.

 The following steps to install IIS in PowerSelect:

  • In search, type the power cell and then click Windows Power Cell.
  • In Windows PowerShell, type the following command: Install-Windows Features -Name Web Server-Included Management Tools
  • Press [ENTER]

 The following steps to configure IIS using a server manager:

  • Go back to the server manager and select the Internet Information Services (IIS) manager from the Tools menu.
  • Add a website and click
  • Specify at least the site name and path OK click
  • The first site is ready to go

When IIS is installed, it is pre-configured to serve as a default website. However, to change the basic settings for a website:

  • Log in to the web server computer as an administrator
  • Click Start, point to Settings and then click Control Panel.
  • Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click the Internet Service Manager.
  • Right-click the website to be configured in the left pane, and then click Properties.
  • Click the website tab
  • Type a description in the description box for the website
  • Type the Internet Protocol (IP) address to use for the website or to leave all (unreserved) default settings.
  • Modify the transmission control protocol port appropriately
  • Click the Home Directory tab
  • To use a folder on the local computer, click on a directory on this computer, and then click on the browser to find the folder you want to use.
  • To use a shared folder from another computer on the network, click on a part located on another computer, and then type in the network path or click on the browser to select the shared folder.
  • Click Read (required) to provide read access to the folder
  • Click OK to accept the website properties

When IIS is installed, it is pre-programmed to function as the default website. However, changing basic website settings:

  • Log in to the web server computer as an administrator
  • Click Start, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
  • Double-click the administrative tools and double-click Internet Services Manager.
  • Right-click on the website to configure in the left window, and then click Properties.
  • Click the website tab
  • Enter the description in the website description box
  • Type the IP Protocol (IP) IP address to run the website or leave all default settings (no reservations).
  • Modify the control port to move properly
  • Click the Home icon tab
  • To use the folder on your local computer, click the directory on this computer, then click the browser to find the folder you want to use.
  • To use a shared folder on another computer on the network, click the part located on another computer, then type the network path or click the browser to select the shared folder.
  • Click Read (required) to grant read access to the folder
  • Click OK to accept the website properties

 IIS vs Apache

The differences between IIS and Apache include:

  • IISI is integrated with Windows while Apache is free and open source.
  • While IIS only works on Windows, Apache can work on almost any operating system, including macOS, UNIX and Linux (very convenient for Linux).
  • IIS integrates with other Microsoft offerings, such as .NET and ASPX compiler language.
  • IIS has a help desk to handle many issues while Apache support comes from the user community.
  • IIS security features make it a safer option than Apache.
  • The technology under IIS is compatible with standard web sites around the world.