IIS - SERVICE UNAVAILABLE

For the publish to work to a remote site, the site needs to be set up in IIS and working properly. ASP.NET 2.0, plus there needs to be a URL that can be resolved to the site.

TO TEST:
Place a file in the folder called default.htm and place the word TEST in to and then type the url/default.htm and see if you see the word test. If not then the Website is not working therefore you would not be able to publish to it.

Also to publish to a Remote website you will need to set up frontpage extensions on the web server and add it to your site.


Install:
http://www.visualwin.com/FPSE/

IIS 7:
http://www.iis.net/downloads/default.aspx?tabid=34&g=6&i=1630

If using XP FPSE should be an add in from ADD AND REMOVE PROGRAMS

Thanks.

I put a "hello" html file in the folder and called it up in the browser as :
http://xxx.site.com/hello.html
but am getting the Service Unavailable message.

I am really confused now.
I have created a web service in VS.NET. All I want to do is test it. What is the simplest way to do this? When I use my own local host all is fine but I need to show my work to my employers on their server! How can I do this? Maybe I should deploy it all until it works well. I'm really not sure how to go about this on their server. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The simple fact is mate, your website is not running. You need first to get the website in IIS working before attempting anything with visual studio.

Try resetting IIS using the IISRESET command or try restarting the website.
Check your website configuration settings to ensure that everything is in order.
Check your application pool to ensure that nothing is wrong there.
Attempt to browse the default.htm from IIS and see if that works

BTW did you ever have this server working? What are the specifications? IIS version. OS, etc?

Thanks for being there... . The facts are as follows:
1. The iis on the server require admin rights. I can not do anything without a username and password which is required even to open the local computer node.
2. Since I could not use the IIS without any permissions (when trying to test the web service the browser went looking for local host and then asked for a username and password that I don't have) I requested that they prepare a web site(virtual directory) which would point to a certain folder.
3. My employer told me to add the ip address and the name.site.com which she created to my host file on my local computer- which I did.
4. I was warned that I would receive a "Service Unavailable" message when opening the site in the browser since there was nothing in the folder.
5. As you pointed out , I created the hello.html in the folder in order to try it out and am still receiving the Service Unavailable" message.
6. What should I tell them? (Is it all happening because of the lack of permissions to manage the IIS or what?)

Thank you so much for your patience and guidance!

Advise them on the steps you have taken to test whether the virtual directory is up and running and the resulting error message.

1. Provide the details of your host file.
2. Provide the URL you are using to perform the test.
3. Advise that you have put the file within the folder pointed to by the virtual directory.
4. Provide time of test so they may check the event log if necessary
5. Make a note of your IP address since they may find this useful.

Let me know what their response is. While you are at it you may want to ask them if they have Front Page extensions installed or will install it since publishing using Remote Website will not work without it -- if not you will have to use another means such as FTP.

Will do... I'll keep you updated.

Thanks!

"service unavailable" often means that the application pool is not running, or the application pool defined in your web site config does not exist on the web server.

cheers.

Hello again!

I can now see my html page with the url given. They said there was a password mistake in IUSR (whatever that means...).

Now I fired up the VS.net in order to prepare the template web service (hello world) just to see if things go right. Of course, you were correct again - I got the message that a web site couldn't be created since the FPSE are not installed on the web service.

I tried going to the server itself (vs my local computer) in order to create the same template web service but this time I used the File system as the location and not HTTP. I didn't get the FPSE message but when I tried to run it I again am asked for the user and password for the local host when the web browser opens. I guess that is because it needs the local host rather than the url (virtual directory) that was assigned to me that would have circumvented this user/pwd problem?

Thanks for your help DaTribe! Please keep me up to date as to what to ask for (I sent the FPSE link, you sent me , to the system guy) and if I am understanding the process correctly.

If your Webmaster sets up FPSE on the server and your website then you can simply publish to the server using Remote Website without any problems.

If a web site asks for user name and password this normally means that anonymous access is not allowed. Tell the administrator to enable Anonymous access to the website.

Did I understand correctly that if I have anonymous access to the website then I don't  need an installation for FPSE?

Sorry I keep asking - it's just the system guy thought he installed the FPSE but I keep getting a message saying that it isn't installed on the web server.

Thanks again!

Thanks again,

I'd like to grant you the points already since you've helped me out so much but I still need your help. Will you be available to answer questions if I open a new question?

Yes I will be available. Let me know the details of the other question.

Further questions will be a continuation of the above:
publishing a web service and deploying  it's client
creating a web service through the file system instead of HTTP
connection strings to a web site's database

Thanks!

OK. ask away and I will be happy to answer.