How to Host Node JS Application on Windows Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Dev

Welcome, Dev! If you are looking for a guide on how to host your Node JS application on a Windows server, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of hosting a Node JS application on a Windows server. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional Node JS application running on your Windows server. So, let’s get started!

What is Node JS?

Before we dive into how to host Node JS application on Windows server, let’s first discuss what Node JS is. Node JS is an open-source, cross-platform, server-side runtime environment that allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model, which makes it lightweight and efficient. Node JS is perfect for building scalable, high-performance applications.

How does Node JS work?

Node JS uses the V8 JavaScript engine, which is the same engine used by Google Chrome. It runs JavaScript code outside of the browser, on the server-side. Node JS processes run in a single thread, but they can handle multiple requests at the same time. This is achieved through the use of an event loop and callbacks.

Why host Node JS on Windows server?

While Node JS can run on any operating system, including Linux and macOS, you may want to host your Node JS application on a Windows server for various reasons. First, if you are already running a Windows server for other applications, it may be more convenient to host your Node JS application on the same server. Additionally, Windows servers are known for their robustness, security, and ease of use.

Requirements for Hosting Node JS on Windows Server

Before we begin the process of hosting Node JS application on Windows server, there are a few requirements that you need to meet.

Windows Server Operating System

The first requirement is a Windows server operating system. You can use Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2019.

Node JS Installed on the Server

The second requirement is to have Node JS installed on the server. You can download the latest version of Node JS from the official website – https://nodejs.org

Port 80 or 443 Open

You also need to ensure that port 80 or 443 is open on your server. These ports are used for HTTP and HTTPS traffic respectively.

Steps for Hosting Node JS Application on Windows Server

Step 1: Install IIS on the Server

IIS (Internet Information Services) is a web server that is built into Windows servers. To host a Node JS application on Windows server, we need to install IIS. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Server Manager	2. Navigate to Manage > Add Roles and Features
3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation	4. Select the appropriate server from the list (the local server, in most cases)
5. Select Web Server (IIS)	6. Click Add Features
7. Click Next and then Install

Step 2: Create a New Website in IIS

Once IIS is installed, we need to create a new website to host our Node JS application. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open IIS Manager	2. Right-click on the Sites folder and select Add Website
3. Enter a name for your website and set the physical path to your Node JS application	4. Set the binding type to HTTP or HTTPS and configure the hostname and port accordingly
5. Click OK to create the website

Step 3: Configure the Website to Run Node JS

Now that we have created a new website, we need to configure it to run Node JS. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open IIS Manager	2. Select the website you created in Step 2
3. Double-click on the Handler Mappings icon	4. Click Add Module Mapping
5. Enter the following information:	6. Request path: * 7. Module: FastCgiModule 8. Executable: C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe 9. Name: Node.js
10. Click OK to save the module mapping

Step 4: Install iisnode

iisnode is an IIS module that allows Node JS applications to run on IIS. We need to install this module on our server. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download the latest version of iisnode from https://github.com/Azure/iisnode	2. Run the installer
3. Follow the prompts to complete the installation

Step 5: Test your Node JS Application

Now that we have configured our website to run Node JS, it’s time to test our application. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a web browser	2. Enter the hostname and port of your website
3. If everything is configured correctly, you should see your Node JS application running in the browser

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I host a Node JS application on a Windows desktop operating system?

A1. While it is technically possible to host a Node JS application on a Windows desktop operating system, it is not recommended. It is best to use a dedicated server operating system for hosting Node JS applications.

Q2. Do I need to install IIS to host a Node JS application on Windows server?

A2. Yes, you need to install IIS to host a Node JS application on Windows server.

Q3. Do I need to open port 80 or 443 on my server to host a Node JS application?

A3. Yes, you need to open port 80 or 443 on your server to host a Node JS application. These ports are used for HTTP and HTTPS traffic respectively.

Q4. Can I use a different web server instead of IIS to host my Node JS application on Windows server?

A4. While it is possible to use a different web server instead of IIS to host your Node JS application on Windows server, it is not recommended. IIS is the most robust and secure web server for Windows servers.

Q5. Do I need to install iisnode to host my Node JS application on Windows server?

A5. Yes, you need to install iisnode to host your Node JS application on Windows server. iisnode is an IIS module that allows Node JS applications to run on IIS.

Conclusion

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully learned how to host a Node JS application on a Windows server. We hope this guide was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy hosting!