Manually configure the server to host Sitefinity CMS projects

If you are using Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) to host your Sitefinity CMS projects, you must configure the server in the following way, depending on your operating system:

Windows Server 2008 with IIS 7.0 

  1. Open the Server Manager by opening your Start Menu and clicking Administrative Tools » Server Manager.
  2. Select and expand Roles.
  3. If you do not see Web Server (IIS) role, you must add it using the Add Roles button.
  4. Click Web Server (IIS) and in the right pane, expand Role Services.
  5. Make sure you have installed the following services:
    • Common HTTP Features » Static Content.
    • Application Development » ASP.NET, .NET Extensibility, ISAPI Extensions, and ISAPI Filters.
    • Management Tools » IIS Management Console, IIS Management Scripts and Tools, and Management Service.
  6. In the navigation tree on the left, click Features.
  7. Make sure you have the following features installed:
    • Desktop Experience.
    • .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features » WCF Activation » HTTP Activation.
  8. After you have Run projects on IIS, expand Web Server (IIS) node and click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
    In the right pane, the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager appears.
  9. In the navigation of the IIS manager, expand your server node.
  10. Expand Sites node and click your website.
  11. In section IIS on the right, double-click Authentication.
  12. Perform one of the following:
    • If you are using Forms authentication, make sure Anonymous Authentication and Forms Authentication are enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
    • If you are using Claims-based authentication, make sure only Anonymous Authentication is enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
  13. Click your website again and in IIS section, double-click Handler Mappings.
  14. Make sure you have enabled handler mappings for *.svc and *.xamlx with executable path set to one of the following:
    1. For 64-bit OS: %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
    2. For 32-bit OS: %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
  15. Close the Server Manager.

Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 with IIS 7.5

  1. Open your Control Panel and click Programs and Features » Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. Turn on Internet Information Services.
  3. Under Internet Information Services, turn on the following features:
    • Web Management Tools » IIS 6 Management Compatibility » IIS Metabase and IIS 6 configuration compatibility.
    • Web Management Tools » IIS Management Console, IIS Management Scripts and Tools, and Management Service.
  4. Under World Wide Web Services, turn on the following:
    • All features under Application Development features, except Server-Side Includes.
    • Common HTTP Features » Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP errors, Http Redirection, Static Content.
    • Security » Basic Authentication, Request Filtering, Windows Authentication.
  5. Under Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 » Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation.
  6. After you have Run projects on IIS, open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  7. Expand your server node.
  8. Expand Sites node and click your website.
  9. In section IIS on the right, double-click Authentication.
  10. Perform one of the following:
  11. If you are using Forms authentication, make sure Anonymous Authentication and Forms Authentication are enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
  12. If you are using Claims-based authentication, make sure only Anonymous Authentication is enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
  13. Click your website again and in IIS section, double-click Handler Mappings.
  14. Make sure you have enabled handler mappings for *.svc and *.xamlx with executable path set to one of the following:
  15. For 64-bit OS: %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
  16. For 32-bit OS: %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
  17. Close the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.0 with IIS 8.0

  1.  Install ASP.NET 4.7.2.
  2. Open your Control Panel and click Programs and Features » Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. Turn on Internet Information Services.
  4. Under Internet Information Services, turn on the following features:
    • Web Management Tools » IIS 6 Management Compatibility » IIS Metabase and IIS 6 configuration compatibility.
    • Web Management Tools » IIS Management Console, IIS Management Scripts and Tools, and Management Service.
  5. Under World Wide Web Services, turn on the following:
    • All features under Application Development features, except Server-Side Includes.
    • Common HTTP Features » Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP errors, Http Redirection, Static Content.
    • Security » Basic Authentication, Request Filtering, Windows Authentication.
  6. Turn on Windows Identity Foundation 3.5.
  7. After you have Run projects on IIS, open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  8. Expand your server node.
  9. Expand Sites node and click your website.
  10. In section IIS on the right, double-click Authentication.
  11. Perform one of the following:
    • If you are using Forms authentication, make sure Anonymous Authentication and Forms Authentication are enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
    • If you are using Claims-based authentication, make sure only Anonymous Authentication is enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
  12. Click your website again and in IIS section, double-click Handler Mappings.
  13. In the right pane click Add Managed Handler… and register the following managed handlers:
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Type input field, enter System.ServiceModel.Activation.ServiceHttpHandlerFactory, System.ServiceModel.Activation, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Type input field, enter System.Xaml.Hosting.XamlHttpHandlerFactory, System.Xaml.Hosting, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
  14. In the right pane click Add Script Map… and register the following script maps:
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
  15. Close the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 with IIS 8.5

  1. Install ASP.NET 4.7.2
  2. Open your Control Panel and click Programs and Features » Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. Turn on Internet Information Services.
  4. Under Internet Information Services, turn on the following features:
    • Web Management Tools » IIS 6 Management Compatibility » IIS Metabase and IIS 6 configuration compatibility.
    • Web Management Tools » IIS Management Console, IIS Management Scripts and Tools, and Management Service.
  5. Under World Wide Web Services, turn on the following:
    • Application Development features » .NET Extensibility 3.5, .NET Extensibility 4.7, Application initialization, ASP, ASP.NET 3.5, ASP.NET 4.7, CGI, ISAPI Extensions, ISAPI Filters, Server Side Includes.
    • Common HTTP Features » Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP errors, Http Redirection, Static Content.
    • Security » Basic Authentication, Request Filtering, Windows Authentication.
  6. Turn on Windows Identity Foundation 3.5.
  7. After you have Run projects on IIS, open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  8. Expand your server node.
  9. Expand Sites node and click your website.
  10. In section IIS on the right, double-click Authentication.
  11. Perform one of the following:
    • If you are using Forms authentication, make sure Anonymous Authentication and Forms Authentication are enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
    • If you are using Claims-based authentication, make sure only Anonymous Authentication is enabled and all other authentications are disabled.
  12. Click your website again and in IIS section, double-click Handler Mappings.
  13. In the right pane click Add Managed Handler… and register the following managed handlers:
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Type input field, enter System.ServiceModel.Activation.ServiceHttpHandlerFactory, System.ServiceModel.Activation, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Type input field, enter System.Xaml.Hosting.XamlHttpHandlerFactory, System.Xaml.Hosting, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
  14. In the right pane click Add Script Map… and register the following script maps:
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.svc
      1. In Request path, enter *.svc
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, select All verbs.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
    • *.xamlx
      1. In Request path, enter *.xamlx
      2. In Executable input field, enter C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
      3. Click Request Restrictions.
      4. On Mappings tab, deselect Invoke Handler if request is mapped to.
      5. On Verbs tab, enter GET,HEAD,POST,DEBUG.
      6. On Access tab, select Script.
  15. Close the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

Windows Server 2016 with IIS 10 

  1. Install ASP.NET 4.7.1
  2. Open your Control Panel and click Programs and Features » Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. Go to Server Roles and select Web Server (IIS).
  4. Under Features, make sure you select .NET Framework 4.6.
  5. Under WCF Services, select HTTP Activation.
  6. Select Windows Identity Foundation 3.5.
  7. In the wizard, under Web Server, select the following:
    1. Common HTTP Features:
      • Default Document
      • Directory Browsing
      • HTTP Errors
      • Static Content
      • HTTP Redirection
    2. Security:
      • Request Filtering
      • Basic Authentication
      • Windows Authentication
    3. Application Development:
      • .NET Extensibility 3.5
      • .NET Extensibility 4.6
      • Application Initialization
      • ASP
      • ASP.NET 3.5
      • ASP.NET 4.6
      • CGI
      • ISAPI Extensions
      • ISAPI Filters
      • Server Side includes
  8. Under Management Tools turn on the following:
    1. IIS Management Console
    2. IIS 6 Management Compatibility
    3. IIS Management Scripts and Tools
    4. Management Service
    5. Install the features you selected.
  9. Install URL Rewrite.
  10. After you have Run projects on IIS, open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  11. Expand your server node and then the Sites node and click on your website.
  12. In the IIS section on the right, open Authentication.
  13. Perform one of the following:
    • If you are using forms authentication, make sure Anonymous Authentication and Forms Authentication are enabled and that all other authentication options are disabled.
    • If you are using claims-based authentication, make sure only Anonymous Authentication is enabled and all other authentication options are disabled.
  14. Close the IIS Manager.

 

Increase your Sitefinity skills by signing up for our free trainings. Get Sitefinity-certified at Progress Education Community to boost your credentials.

Get started with Integration Hub | Sitefinity Cloud | Sitefinity SaaS

This free lesson teaches administrators, marketers, and other business professionals how to use the Integration hub service to create automated workflows between Sitefinity and other business systems.

Web Security for Sitefinity Administrators

This free lesson teaches administrators the basics about protecting yor Sitefinity instance and its sites from external threats. Configure HTTPS, SSL, allow lists for trusted sites, and cookie security, among others.

Foundations of Sitefinity ASP.NET Core Development

The free on-demand video course teaches developers how to use Sitefinity .NET Core and leverage its decoupled architecture and new way of coding against the platform.

Was this article helpful?