How can I configure multiple Web sites using Host Headers?

Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) permits you to map multiple Web sites to a single IP address using a feature called Host Header Names. By assigning a unique host header name to each Web site, this feature permits you to map more than one Web site to an IP address.

Configure Web Sites by Using Host Header Names

To configure Web sites by using the Host Header Names feature, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Information Services.
2. Expand * server name (where server name is the name of the server), and then expand Web Sites.
3. Right-click the Web site that you want, and then click Properties.

The Web site name Properties dialog box appears (where Web site name is the name of the Web site that you selected).
4. Click the Web Site tab, and then in the IP Address list, select the IP address that you want assigned to this Web site.
5. Click Advanced.
6. Under Multiple identities for this Web Site, click the IP address, and then click Edit.

The Advanced Web Site Identification dialog box appears.
7. In the Host Header Name box, type the host header that you want. For example, type www.example1.com. Add the port number, select the IP address in the list, and then click OK.

NOTE: If you want to configure this Web site with additional identities, click Add. Use the same IP address and TCP port, but enter a unique Host Header Name, and then click OK. For example, if you want to access the same Web site from both the Internet and a local intranet, you can configure the Web site identity in the manner shown in the following example:

IP Address TCP Port Host Header Name

192.168.0.100 80 www.example1.com
192.168.0.100 80 example1.com


8. In the Advanced Multiple Web Site Configuration dialog box, click OK.
9. In the Web site name Properties dialog box, click OK.

You return to the IIS window.
10. Right-click the next Web site that you want, and then click Properties.
11. In the IP Address list, select the same IP address that you selected in step 4, and then click Advanced.
12. Under Multiple identities for this Web Site, click the IP address, and then click Edit.

The Advanced Web Site Identification dialog box appears.
13. In the Host Header Name box, type a unique host header for this Web site. For example, type www.example2.com, add the port number, select the IP address in the list, and then click OK.
14. In the Advanced Multiple Web Site Configuration dialog box, click OK.
15. In the Web site name Properties dialog box, click OK.

You return to the IIS window.
16. Repeat steps 10 through 15 for each Web site that you want hosted on this IP address.
17. Register the host header names with the appropriate name resolution system -- for example, a Domain Name System (DNS) server or, in the case of a small network, a Hosts file.
The Web sites are now configured to accept incoming Web requests, based on their host header names.
More Information

Do not assign a host header name to the Default Web Site. Many programs expect the Default Web Site to use an IP address of (All Unassigned), TCP Port 80, and no host header name.
Troubleshooting

• Clients cannot connect to the Web sites by using the IP address:

Because there is more than one Web site configured to the IP address, you must connect to the Web site by using the host header name. When you try to connect to the Web site by using the IP address, you receive the following error message:
The page cannot be found.

The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
• Clients cannot connect to the Web sites by using host header names:

Multiple host names must be mapped to the single IP address by using a DNS server or a Hosts file.