# IIS (Microsoft Windows Server) Configuration Guide

### **Introduction** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-introduction" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-introduction"></a>

This guide explains configuring **Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services)** as a reverse proxy using the **Application Request Routing (ARR)** module. IIS with ARR allows you to forward incoming HTTP requests to one or more backend servers, providing benefits like **load balancing**, **centralized traffic management**, and **security filtering**.

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### **Prerequisites** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-prerequisites" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-prerequisites"></a>

* Microsoft Windows Server with **IIS** installed.
* IIS URL Rewrite

  Download and install the [URL Rewrite](https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite) extension.

  URL Rewrite must be installed prior to ARR, as ARR depends on URL Rewrite.
* IIS Application Request Routing (ARR)

  Download and install the [Application Request Routing](https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/application-request-routing) extension.

  After installation, you should see the **Application Request Routine Cache** and **URL Rewrite** features in the IIS Manager.

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### **Configuration Steps** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-configurationsteps" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-configurationsteps"></a>

#### **1. Activate Proxy** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-1.activateproxy" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-1.activateproxy"></a>

-Open the IIS manager, select the server in the **Connections** pane, and then double-click **Application Request Routing Cache** to open the feature.

<figure><img src="https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2FJ6VxluUlvS4LMiSV3xy9%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d223eebf-f798-4176-af99-78e2b988f965" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In the **Actions** pane, click **Server Proxy Settings**.

<figure><img src="https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2Fc6ZspVacqLtC5LflM5sC%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ae78224f-f2b2-4831-b0c3-e868e92e7510" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

On the **Application Request Routing** page, select **Enable Proxy**; and then in the **Actions** pane, click **Apply**. This enables ARR as a proxy at the server level.

<figure><img src="https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2Fx4sHJ92QbCjKOkJca1FW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8114a251-3101-4b56-9eb5-17358c5b471f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **2. Create a URL Rewrite Rule** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-2.createaurlrewriterule" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-2.createaurlrewriterule"></a>

To route incoming requests to the backend server:

1. In **IIS Manager**, select the **site** you want to configure.
2. Double-click **"URL Rewrite"**.\
   ![](https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2FSfoV3yA6k3CeD63q0Afh%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=849328a9-9a38-4926-830a-1db191211b59)
3. In the Actions pane, click **"Add Rules…"**.
4. Under **Inbound Rules**, choose **"Blank Rule"** and click **OK**.\
   ![](https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2FKANsg6bYnNbmM8fG5Wsd%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=1e91eabe-7cbf-4bd5-b721-2daab84cee79)

**Rule Configuration**

<figure><img src="https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2FmWFvv09h3bDpAueMGQDm%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=050df56b-1bd3-47ab-a0fb-54580b5cbe88" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://2315305008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy15ncufYr341K5U8q6Of%2Fuploads%2FsWYE2AMcEbf4NLTYapKm%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7348e198-35c6-4031-8013-33aed6692acd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click **OK** in the Actions pane to save the rule.

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### **Conclusion** <a href="#iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-conclusion" id="iis-microsoftwindowsserver-configurationguide-conclusion"></a>

You’ve successfully configured IIS with ARR as a reverse proxy. This setup allows you to forward requests transparently while retaining the ability to apply additional logic via rewrite rules or filters.

{% hint style="danger" %}
After enabling Cookie lifetime extender, the DCP will give a proxy code that is expected to be setup on `https://domain.*/hash` however, if it is set up on `https://www.domain.*/hash` it will cause a CORS Error on the Cookie Lifetime Extender Requests.

For more details on WWW configuration follow this [guide](https://docs.jentis.com/key-features/cookie-lifetime-extender/configure-your-tracking#www-configuration-guide-optional).
{% endhint %}

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