Installing IIS 7.0 for SharePoint

Installing a Web Server role via-Server Manager is a perfectly simple task. However, how do we determine which modules and dependant features would be required? This is the part that can be tricky.

Some administrators prefer to install the Application Server role and be rid of hassles. A process which is perfectly acceptable, but not something I quite agree with. Besides, in the context of security “less is always more” or should I say safer.

Below is a list of modules that I find to be “just nice”, hopefully it can be used as a guide going forward, for your SharePoint setup.

1. Static Content (Common HTTP Features) – allows SharePoint to publish static web pages.
2. Default Document (Common HTTP Features) – enables the configuration and return of a page automatically that is not explicitly requested through a SharePoint site url.
3. Directory Browsing (Common HTTP Features) – not required under normal circumstances, but it does allow for the browsing of a SharePoint site directory.
4. ASP.NET (Application Development) – a module that will be required by your SharePoint developers. Features include support for database access, security etc etc.
5. .NET Extensibility (Application Development) – programming framework that can be used to perform modifications to IIS functionality. Also shares dependant features with ASP.NET module.
6. ISAPI Extensions (Application Development) – supports dynamic web content development using ISAPI. Also shares dependant features with ASP.NET module.
7. ISAPI Filters (Application Development) – custom code that can be development to process specific web request. Also shares dependant features with ASP.NET module.
8. HTTP Logging (Health and Diagnostics) – provides logging of SharePoint site activity. The most basic form of logging in IIS.
9. Logging Tools (Health and Diagnostics) – Provides simple utilities for managing SharePoint site logs.
10. Request Monitor (Health and Diagnostics) – not really required, but it does provide the ability to monitor SharePoint site health.
11. Basic Authentication (Security) – Provides Basic authentication for SharePoint.
12. Windows Authentication (Security) – Provides NTLM integrated authentication for SharePoint.
13. Request Filtering (Security) – Screens and filters all incoming request into server. Also shares dependant features with ASP.NET and .NET Extensibility.
14. Static Content Compression (Performance) – Functionality that reduces bandwidth by compressing static content before transmitting it to client. It also stores content that is accessed frequently, thus improving performance.
15. Dynamic Content Compression (Performance) – Can assist in reducing bandwidth, although it places a high overhead on the server processor. Each SharePoint environment will vary, and it will be wise to pay close attention to the content that is being transmitted before enabling or disabling this module.
16. IIS Management (Management Tools) – Installs IIS Management console, for easy GUI management.