Help me set up a web server on Windows 2003.?

Question

I'm used to working with linux (apache) servers, but now I own an offsite Windows 2003 server running IIs6. I seen the help files, but they confuse me and I dont really know where to start to be honest. When i go into the IIS administrator, it says everything including 'webserver' is running, but i'm unable to access the default web pages with my browser, i tried both my server IP and 'localhost'. I'll also have to set up nameservers, php, mysql, etc...but first i wanna see the default web pages load in a browser before i get to far in it. The server came with one IP, i ordered another because NS nameservers require 2. I plan to use this server to host a 'halo' game, as well as multiple web site....i considered a hosting business to help pay for the server. Any and all information would be appreciated. If i can't figure out how to use the IIS, which i rather would, i'll just install Apache and do it the old fashioned way. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Starting with Win2K3,

Microsoft now has turned off the HTTP listeners by default, so if you deploy a website it'll still be non-functional because Win2K3 won't be "listening" for that website's traffic.



The first thing you need to do when you own a Win2K3 intended to be a Web Server is to install the Win2K3 RK and the "Windows Server Tools." In the latter, you will be installing a tool called HTTPCFG and with that tool you can display, turn on and disable HTTP listeners.



Hooray for "security by default."

And it just might put a few Apache SysAdmins in their place...



BTW - Another FYI if you intend to support FTP uploads... NTFS permissions now deny FTP write by default.

(That's a bonus for you before you even run into it)

Answer 2

Man, you left Apache for IIS 6? Are you mental? j/k



You can see the default website in a web browser with this convention:



http://servername/sitename



I would abandon the default webpage altogether though. In the IIS Manager:



1. Right-click on Websites and pick New>Web Site

2. Go through the wizard and give it a static IP - don't use (All Assigned)



Once the Wizard is setup right-click on the site and go to Properties. Make sure that the right homepage file (index.html etc.) is the default content page.



Then you can access the site in your browser by IP address until you get your second DNS server setup. Then you can assign a hostname to that addy.

Answer 3

How about WAMP?

http://www.wampserver.com/en/index.php