In Internet Information Services (IIS), the IIS configuration file is a central configuration file that stores settings and configurations for the web server. This file is crucial for defining how IIS operates, how websites are hosted, and how various features are enabled or disabled.
The primary IIS configuration file is named "applicationHost.config," and it is located in the "C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config" directory on Windows servers.
IIS Configuration File in Different versions :
IIS 5.0/5.1 Metabase.bin
IIS 6.0 Metabase.xml or mbschema.xml
IIS 7.0/7.5 Applicationhost.config
*It is recommended to take the backup of these file before doing any modification
*Backup of IIS simply mean that Backup of Metabase/Applicationhost.confg - Click Here to know HOW TO TAKE BACKUP?
What details do we have in applicationHost.config?
The "applicationHost.config" file is an XML-formatted file and contains a wide range of configuration elements that define the behavior of IIS, including:
1. Global Settings: Configuration elements that apply to the entire web server, such as server-wide settings, worker processes, logging, security, and default document definitions.
2. Site Settings: Configuration elements that define individual websites hosted on IIS, including bindings, virtual directories, authentication settings, SSL settings, and more.
3. Application Pool Settings: Configuration elements that define application pools, which provide process isolation and resource management for web applications.
4. Modules and Handlers: Configuration elements that enable or disable IIS modules and handlers, which process incoming requests and responses.
5. URL Rewriting and Redirects: Configuration elements that define rules for URL rewriting and redirects.
6. Security Settings: Configuration elements related to security, such as authentication methods, authorization rules, and IP restrictions.
7. Compression and Caching: Configuration elements that control content compression and caching behavior.
8. Request Filtering: Configuration elements that control request filtering and limit certain types of requests.
The "applicationHost.config" file is a powerful and essential component of IIS, as it determines how the web server operates and handles incoming requests. Any changes made to this file directly impact IIS's behavior and the hosted websites. Therefore, it's crucial to back up the configuration file before making any changes and exercise caution when editing it.
IIS provides various tools for managing the configuration, including the graphical IIS Manager, command-line tools (such as "appcmd"), and the .NET API (Microsoft.Web.Administration) for programmatic configuration changes.