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IIS (Internet Information Services)

IIS, short for Internet Information Services, is a web server software developed by Microsoft. It is designed to run on Windows operating systems and is used to host and manage web applications, websites, and services over the internet or an intranet.

What is IIS?​

IIS is a feature-rich and secure web server that supports multiple protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SMTP, and more. It is deeply integrated with the Windows ecosystem, making it the go-to choice for hosting applications built with ASP.NET, .NET Core, and Classic ASP.

Key Features of IIS​

  • Graphical Interface: Manage websites and services using an intuitive GUI.
  • Application Pools: Run multiple applications independently in isolated pools.
  • Security: Built-in Windows authentication, SSL certificate management, request filtering.
  • Logging and Diagnostics: Real-time monitoring and detailed logging capabilities.
  • Extensibility: Add or remove modules like URL Rewrite, WebDAV, and more.
  • PowerShell Support: Automate IIS tasks using scripts.
  • FTP and SMTP Support: Supports multiple protocols for file transfer and mail delivery.

IIS Use Cases​

  1. Hosting ASP.NET and .NET Core Web Applications

    • Primary choice for enterprises using the Microsoft tech stack.

  2. Intranet Portals

    • Secure, internal company portals integrated with Active Directory.

  3. Static and Dynamic Website Hosting

    • Serve both static files (HTML/CSS/JS) and dynamic content (using .NET/ASP).

  4. FTP Server

    • Securely share files over the network using the built-in FTP server.

  5. Web Services/API Hosting

    • Host RESTful APIs built using .NET technologies.

  6. Load Balancing & Reverse Proxy (Limited)

    • Can act as a reverse proxy with URL Rewrite and ARR (Application Request Routing) module.

  7. PowerShell and WMI Integration

    • Automate deployments and server configuration.

IIS vs NGINX​

FeatureIISNGINX
PlatformWindows-onlyCross-platform (Linux, Windows)
GUI ManagementYes (IIS Manager)No (CLI and config files)
Performance (Static Files)ModerateHigh