Setting Up an IIS Webserver under Windows XP Pro

I recently had a client who was hosting a site on IIS under Windows XP Pro using .NET and ASP.

As a result, I needed to set up an appropriate development environment to test and debug the site before handing it over.

I opted for setting up VMware install that was running the necessary OS and software.

Following is a quick how-to on setting it all up.

Installing IIS 5.1 and .NET 2.0 on Windows XP Pro:

1. Go to Add/Remove programs
2. Put the WinXP Pro install CD in the machine
3. Click on Add/Remove Windows Components and click on the check box next to Internet Information Services (IIS)
4. After installation you should be able to open up a browser and type "localhost" and get the default welcome page.
5. If you get either a "You are not authorized to view this page" or a user name and password prompt, make sure that the user account with which you are currently logged in has administrator rights and that you have a password set for that account.
6. Install .NET
7. Register .NET with IIS
1. Open a command prompt window, change dir to C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727 (or whatever other version you are registering)
2. Run the following commands in sequence:
1. aspnet_regiis -i
2. aspnet_regiis -s W3SVC/
8. Make sure to include the .aspx extension on your files and you should be all set to start developing .NET applications.
9. To enable other machines to connect to your new webserver go to Control Panel/Security Center/ and click on "Windows Firewall" under Manage Security settings for:
1. Go to the Advanced Tab
2. Click on the "Settings" button next to the "Network Connection Settings" and click on the check box next to "Web Server (HTTP)".