Deploying to IIS

Part 1: What Is IIS?

IIS (Internet Information Services) is a web server developed by Microsoft for hosting websites and applications on Windows servers.

It works together with ASP.NET Core to deliver web applications to users over HTTP or HTTPS.

Part 2: Requirements for IIS Deployment

Before deploying, ensure the server is properly configured.

• Windows Server or Windows with IIS installed
• .NET Hosting Bundle installed
• IIS configured with required features
• Access to server file system

The .NET Hosting Bundle is especially important because it enables IIS to run ASP.NET Core apps.

Part 3: Publishing the Application

In Visual Studio, publish your application before deployment.

• Select Publish
• Choose Folder as the target
• Select Release configuration
• Generate the publish output

This creates a ready-to-deploy folder.

Part 4: Setting Up IIS

To host your application in IIS:

1. Open IIS Manager
2. Create a new website
3. Set the physical path to your published folder
4. Assign a port or domain name

IIS will now serve your ASP.NET Core application.

Part 5: Application Pool Configuration

Each IIS application runs inside an application pool.

• Set .NET CLR version to No Managed Code
• Ensure correct identity and permissions
• Restart the application pool after deployment

Proper configuration ensures stable application performance.

Part 6: Common Issues

Part 7: Deployment in the Student Project

When deploying your Student CRUD application to IIS:

• Ensure database connection strings are correct
• Verify authentication settings
• Check static file availability
• Test CRUD operations in production

This ensures the application works correctly in a live environment.

Part 8: Best Practices

• Use Release build for deployment
• Install required runtime and hosting bundle
• Secure your server with HTTPS
• Monitor logs for troubleshooting
• Test thoroughly after deployment

Following best practices ensures a smooth deployment process.

Summary

Deploying to IIS is a common method for hosting ASP.NET Core applications. By properly configuring the server, publishing your application, and testing thoroughly, you can successfully move your app into a production environment.