Bob, Host headers allow IIS to pick out pieces of a webpages request in order to figure out whether that request should be serviced by that server, and if so, then what webpage should be shown to the user. I, personally, have been unsucessful in running two IIS, or different, servers on the same network using conventional consumer grade routers and firewall hardware. Let it be known that I am no expert on this subject, but I too am attempting to do just as you say so keep this in mind as you read on. I have been told that by putting your servers into a cluster, you would then be able to not only run two servers on the same net, but you would also be able to aquire a "failover" capability which is beneficial if one of the servers goes down. From what I understand, in order to cluster your servers together each server must have two network cards. One of them connects to your switch, and the other connects through a crossover cable to the other server; this could also be connected to a switch that ONLY connects up to 8-servers together--8- is the maximum when using the windows software from how I read it. The dedicated connection to the servers via the crossover cable is used as a "heartbeat" to tell each other that they are working, and to pass other information, perhaps some host header info as well. If the heartbeat is not detected by one of the servers, then the other server takes over.
Why are you using two seperate webservers for two seperate pages? Do you really expect a full load on both pages? I would imagine that the reason you were referred to hostheaders was so that you could circumvent the complexities which I have previously discussed. You would be able to run two websites off of the same IIS server by simply using host headers. Here's how to do it--I will assume that you have already created a website entry in IIS for each of the websites...
Ok, first off, you want to make sure that you have your DNS entries (CName and A-records) correctly entered so that each of the websites are pointing to your IP address. Once you have this done, then open up IIS and rightclick on the first website to select the properties option. Next to the list box that says "all unassigned" you will see the "Advanced" tab, click it. You should now see a frame that says "Multiple Identities for this website", and inside the frame you will see your website description. Click on the description and then hit the "Edit" button. Under the host header value put your website name like this (without quotes) "
or "ABC.com" whichever parallels your DNS entries, sometimes this is both so in that case simply add another entry in the frame where your current entry resides when you are finished with the first one. You have just created your first Host header! I invite you to visit my websites which reside on the same server, and you can see how the different variations allow multiple websites, even of different domains, are able to coexist on a single server.
FYI: My server will be down tonight(friday Feb 25, 2005) so you may receive a server down message. This is me trying to get that cluster thingy going. lol.
I sure hope this helps, I guess I could have just directed you to the many websites available, but I am a "hands on" kinda guy! Best of luck...
LF
"As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."--Albert Einstein
