How to Host Website on Windows Server 2012

Hello Dev, if you are planning to host your website on a Windows Server 2012, you are in the right place. In this article, we will guide you through the process of hosting your website on a Windows Server 2012 step by step. Windows Server 2012 is a powerful, flexible, and scalable server operating system that can run a wide range of web applications. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Get a Windows Server 2012 License

The first step to hosting your website on a Windows Server 2012 is to get a valid license. You can either buy a license or use a trial version. If you choose to use a trial version, keep in mind that it will expire after a certain amount of time, and you will need to buy a license to continue using it.

Here are the steps to get a Windows Server 2012 license:

Step
Description
Step 1
Go to the Microsoft website and choose the version of Windows Server 2012 that you need.
Step 2
Click on the “Buy” or “Download Trial” button.
Step 3
Fill out the required information and payment details.
Step 4
Download the license key or activation code.

Step 2: Install IIS on Windows Server 2012

IIS (Internet Information Services) is a web server that runs on Windows Server 2012. It enables you to host your website on the server and make it available to the public. Here are the steps to install IIS:

Step
Description
Step 1
Go to the “Server Manager” and click on “Add Roles and Features”.
Step 2
Select “Web Server (IIS)” and click on “Next”.
Step 3
Click on “Next” until you reach the “Install” button.
Step 4
Click on “Install” to start the installation process.

Step 3: Configure IIS on Windows Server 2012

After installing IIS, you need to configure it to host your website properly. Here are the steps to configure IIS:

Step 3.1: Create a Website

To create a website in IIS:

Step
Description
Step 1
Open the “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager”.
Step 2
Right-click on “Sites” and select “Add Website”.
Step 3
Fill out the required information such as the website name, physical path, binding, and port number.
Step 4
Click on “OK” to create the website.

Step 3.2: Configure Website Settings

To configure the website settings in IIS:

Step
Description
Step 1
Open the “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager”.
Step 2
Click on the website that you want to configure.
Step 3
Click on “Basic Settings” and configure the website settings such as the physical path, application pool, and permissions.
Step 4
Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Step 3.3: Configure IP Address and Port Number

To configure the IP address and port number in IIS:

Step
Description
Step 1
Open the “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager”.
Step 2
Click on the website that you want to configure.
Step 3
Click on “Bindings” and configure the IP address and port number.
Step 4
Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Step 4: Publish your Website

After configuring IIS, you need to publish your website on the server. Here are the steps to publish your website:

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Step
Description
Step 1
Copy your website files to the physical path that you specified in IIS.
Step 2
Make sure that the website files are in the correct directory structure.
Step 3
Open a web browser and enter the IP address or domain name followed by the port number (if applicable).
Step 4
Your website should now be available online.

FAQ

Q1: How do I access the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager?

You can access the IIS Manager by following these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Go to the “Start” menu on your Windows Server 2012.
Step 2
Type “IIS” in the search bar and select “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager”.

Q2: What is a physical path in IIS?

A physical path in IIS is the location on the server where the website files are stored. It can be any directory on the server, as long as it is accessible by the IIS user account.

Q3: What is an application pool in IIS?

An application pool in IIS is a group of one or more websites that are served by a single worker process. It allows you to isolate your websites from each other, improving security and stability.

Q4: How do I configure IP bindings in IIS?

You can configure IP bindings in IIS by following these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Open the “Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager”.
Step 2
Click on the website that you want to configure.
Step 3
Click on “Bindings” and configure the IP address and port number.
Step 4
Click on “OK” to save the changes.

Q5: Can I host multiple websites on a single Windows Server 2012?

Yes, you can host multiple websites on a single Windows Server 2012 by creating multiple websites in IIS and configuring them properly.

In conclusion, hosting your website on a Windows Server 2012 can be a daunting task, but if you follow these simple steps, you can host your website on the server in no time. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us.