Internet Information Services and Resulting Internet Communication in Windows Vista

This section provides an overview of Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 in Windows Vista and lists additional references for learning about IIS 7.0.

Overview of IIS 7.0 in Windows Vista

IIS 7.0 is one of the optional features in Windows Vista, and by default, it is not turned on. Allowing selected users to turn on this feature provides them with an easy way to publish information on the Internet or an intranet. By using IIS 7.0, users who have been given the responsibility to create Web sites can more easily create and deploy flexible Web applications.

With IIS 7.0, an administrator of a Web site can:

  • Minimize patching and security risks with fine-grained control over Web server footprint.
  • Implement Web solutions rapidly with an extensibility framework and with simplified deployment and configuration of applications.
  • Reduce Web site downtime by quickly resolving faulty applications.
  • Delegate administrative control to programmers or content owners, meaning that the Web site administrator can control some aspects of the Web site while allowing others to control other aspects.
  • Connect to a remote server over HTTP, through a firewall if needed.

IIS can be turned on by an administrator by opening Control Panel and using Programs\Programs and Features (Turn Windows features on or off). In a managed environment, we recommend that you carefully select and train any users who will be permitted to use IIS on their computers running Windows Vista. In some respects, such users have responsibilities like those of a server administrator, and therefore, they should be trained about security, auditing, and monitoring. It is beyond the scope of this white paper to provide details about maintaining security on a computer that hosts a Web site.

Additional References