Multiple Host Header Names

[WalksWithSky]

Hello:

Running a windows 2000 server with IIS 5.0. We have 5 websites on the server with 5 different IP addresses. We have to add a website to the server and were advised to use multiple host header names. We have one website, website A, that we are using the same IP address for the new website, website B.

Here's the question:

I've set up website B using the add website wizard and that shows up. To set the multiple host header names, do i do that on website A? I know how to set the multiple host header names, just not sure where to do it. If both sites are using the same IP address, which site has to be set up with the multiple host header option in the properties?

Much thanks for any help you can provide,

Walks With Sky

 

[ChrisHirst]

search the forum for multiple websites, it's been covered several times.



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Give both sites host header information

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks to both for your reply. I did search the site but did not really find what I was looking for.

Faithless, just so I understand, I give website A a multiple host header name of website B, and I give website B the multiple host header name of website A?

Thanks again for the help,

Walks With Sky

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

If both the sites are the same just delete 1 of the sites and give it all the host headers it needs that a require to that site. If the sites are different give them the host headers they require. ie

http://www.domain1.com

for site a and

http://www.domain2.com

for site b.

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Faithless:

This is what I tried:

For site A, multiple host header of

http://www.siteA.com;

and for site B, multiple host header of

http://www.siteB.com.

When I go to a browser and enter one of hte domain names, I get a message of "This site does not appear to have a default document set, or may be under construction" message show up in the browser.

Could this be a DNS problem, or am I missing something?

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

No this isnt a DNS issue. What is the full file name for the default page for your site. If you page isnt 1 of the follwing:

Default.htm
Default.asp
index.htm
default.aspx

Then you would get the error message you got. You can do 1 of 2 things here. You could rename the default page depending on how you have coded your site to 1 of the above or you can open the IIS if you are using IIS and goto properties of the site, click on the "Documents" tab and add the full name of the default page into the default content page.

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Faithless.

For some reason, the default page for site A is index.html. Should I rename it to index.htm? Site B is index.htm. The full name of the page is showing up on the Documents tab of the properties for both sites.

Walks With Sky

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Either rename the file or add index.html to the default content pages under the site properties.

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Faithless.

index.html is the default content page for site A under the site properties. Is there any other reason why specifying multiple host headers for a site would do this?

Walks With Sky

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Its not the host headers causing the problem, its todo with the incorrect name of the default page for the site ie the file name or the incorrect adding of the default content page settings into IIS.

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Faithless.

The file names for the default pages are fine. For both sites, they are set correctly in the site properties, when you look at the documents tab. The full file name is listed there, and that's all that's listed for them. When a multiple host header name is set for site A, then that message appears in the browser. Without the multiple host header name set, the default page appears just fine. That's what's so weird.

Walks With Sky

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Make sure the host headers values and correct no spelling mistakes etc, also check the DNS value for them make sure they are pointing to the correct IP etc. It sounds like the host header value you have set is pointing to another site and not the one you want it to point to.

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Faithless -- I'll try that and let you know. Thank you very much for all the help.

Walks With Sky

 

[ChrisHirst]

talking about multiple host headers is confusing this issue.

multiple host headers refers to having several host headers and DNS hostnames pointing to the one site.
ie;

http://www.domain.co.uk,

http://www.domain.com

and

http://www.domain.net

all bring up the same site.

host headers is the correct term.

one of the sites will be set as default, check which by;
IIS MMC -> RC server name -> properties -> Master Properties (

http://WWW Service)

-> Edit... -> Service The site named in the box is the one that will appear if no matching host header is found for that IP.

if you have two sites responding to the same IP BOTH sites will need a host header corresponding to the DNS hostname (domain.tld) if you have a

http://www alias

(or wildcards) set up in DNS this (these) should be added as host headers also

http://www.domain.tld

http://www1.domain.tld

etc (this is where the multiple bit comes in)

what may be happening here is the default site is responding when you remove the host header and if the sites are all identical you can't tell because the address will shoe exactly what address you typed in.

surely not some search engine spam of mirror sites on different IPs?



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

 

[WalksWithSky]

Thanks, Chris for that clarification.

They are two different websites. No spam or mirrors. They are two websites for a non-profit organization -- completely different, different content, different domain names, etc.

We currently have 5 websites on the server. We are adding a sixth one (siteB) and were told to use the host header option, as that was the easiest. I have added the sixth site (siteB) and I can see the folder. It is using the same IP address as siteA. I set the host header name for siteB as

http://www.siteB.com

and the host header name for siteA as

http://www.siteA.com.

When I do this, the error message pops up in the browser. If i don't have a host header name in the properties for siteA, I get to the website when I type in

http://www.siteA.com

and

http://www.siteB.com.

If I have host header names for both sites, I get the error message in the browser. If I have the host header name set for siteB only, I see siteA when I type in

http://www.siteB.com

in the browser.

Walks With Sky

 

[ChrisHirst]

It sounds very much like you have the home directory for siteB pointing to the wrong folder, or one that has no default document in it. the other thing to do is to set the default doc name you are using to the top of the list, it shouldn't make any difference but this is a MS product and stranger things have happened.

btw, the mirror thing was not meant as a serious comment, just my attempt at humour

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?