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Setting up Server 2003 to run my web applications

I've been hired to install an ASP.NET application onto a client’s web server. Usually when I am asked to install my web app onto a client’s web server, the server has been running successfully for a while; serving up pages and doing all of the web server activities it should. In other words the server has been "burned in" a little bit.

Well, in this particular situation, the company has hired "some tech" from "some company" to setup the Server 2003 box that will be running my app and the database that my app uses. IIS and ASP.NET are installed so that is good but I need some help. I find it strange that the 'inetpub' folder isn't created while all of this other setup has been done.

I am not a Server 2003 expert by any means, I know a little but just enough to mess things up.

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Information about my web application
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Written for using ASP.NET 3.5
Uses MSSQL for database (database seems to be working without problems)
This application will be running in an intranet environment

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Questions about server setup
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- What should I check on to make sure that this server is ready to run my web app?
Web Service Extension
Services
Applications
Whatever, etc...

- Why doesn't the c:\inetpub folder exist?

- What is the best way to install my web app onto this server?
I have added sites manually but that usually ends up with me tinkering around
for a couple of days with settings trying to get my app to run.

- Is there an effective way for me to utilize the web app install wizard?

- Are there other questions that I should be asking?

Thanks for your help.

sammySeltzer

I can tell one thing tatton777.

If you don't see Inetpub, there is a pretty good chance that iis is either not instaled or not installed completely.

In this, stick the server cd into your drive letter, go to Add/Remove Programs, click on add/remove components to left of the Add/Remove screen.

Then check IIS and install it.

Then once installation is complete, check web services extensions to ensure asp.net is enabled and that the correct version, 2.0 or 3.5. I think 4.xx is out; I am not using it yet.

When all this is done, you will be able to see inetpub/wwrooot, etc.

If you are using .net, and it is not express version, then you can build your app to .dll or .exe, your choice and then load it.

If it is .dll, then load it into your wwwroot directory or any drive letter and map it via iis as a virtual directory.

If it is an exe file, then you install it.

Once you have done this, I am sure some additional questions, if any, will arise and you can ask those.

Hope this helps.

tatton777

ASKER

Below is a text version of the installed items. Would it be more helpful if I were to upload images or does this work?

-------------------------------------------
Here are the items that are installed
-------------------------------------------
+ means installed
- means not installed
? Where is it

Internet Information Services (IIS)
- BITS
+ Common Files
- FTP
+ Internet Information Services
- Internet Printing
- NNTP Service
- SMTP Service
+ World Wide Web Services
- Active Server Pages
- Internet Data Collector
- Remote Desktop Web Collection
- Server Side Includes
- WebDAV Publishing
+ World Wide Web Service
? FrontPage 2002 Extensions (I thought they were installed from here)

tatton777

ASKER

OK. The Inetpub folder is there.

Do you see any other items that should be installed from the listing of installed components above?

sammySeltzer

>>? FrontPage 2002 Extensions (I thought they were installed from here)

usually not installed by default.

If you really, really have to have front page extensions, then you would follow the instructions I enumerated above to install it - via add/remove programs.

Otherwise, you are good to go.

And if IIS is installed, then Active Server Pages should be installed as well.

All you would need to do is enable it (allow)

same goes for all the items under iis.

tatton777

ASKER

i've got the website all wrapped up in a folder ready to go. How do I go about using the "New Website Tools" that appear when you right click the "Websites" folder in IIS? Should this be a different thread? Regardless, I will be awarding you the 500 for helping with the questions so far. Just let me know how I should handle the "New Website" thing.

Thanks!

sammySeltzer

Just navigate to wwwroot folder and put your folder that contains all your files.

Now, when you go to iis, expand default websites folder, your folder will appear there.

Right-click it, go to properties, and on Application Name, click on Create to right.

On Execute Permissions, select Scripts only from the dropdown and you are good to go.

Of course this assumes that your folder containing your files are in inetpub/wwwroot folder.

If you put the folder in some other drive letter like C:\ or D:\ then you will need to create a virtual directory for it by right-cliking on the folder name from IIS, select New, Virtual directory and follow on screen instructions to handle the rest.

This means that to serve up your page to the browser, you will go:

http://servername/virtualDirectoryName/

tatton777

ASKER

So, will this work for multiple websites? The next time I need to add a website I just plunk the folder into the wwwroot folder and use the same technique?

tatton777

ASKER

Hello,

I'm getting a "The website decline to show this webpage" error. HTTP 403.

I feel like I just need to reward you your points for answering the question so well. If I get stuck and can't get this taken care of then I will post another thread. You can look for me in a couple of hours if you wish by searching for tatton777.

Thanks for all of your help.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

sammySeltzer

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