Use websites instead of virtual directories in IIS

You cannot use virtual directories in Intrexx. You must use websites instead.

What are virtual directories in IIS?

Up to and including Intrexx 19.03, you could use virtual directories in IIS to define the URL that is used to reach the portal in the browser. The virtual directory is usually created below the "Default Web Site" in the IIS.

In the browser, you could then access your portal by entering your domain and the virtual directory.

Example

Your domain (host name)	exampledomain.com
Portal name (in the portal properties)	exampleportal
Name of the virtual directory / alias	exampleportal
URL	https://exampledomain.com/exampleportal/

You could operate several portals with different virtual directories with the same domain or host name.
The corresponding URLs could look like this, for example:

URL	https://exampledomain.com/exampleportal-1/
URL	https://exampledomain.com/exampleportal-2/
URL	https://exampledomain.com/exampleportal-3/

What are websites IIS?

In IIS, websites fulfill a similar function to virtual directories in connection with the URL of your portal.
When creating a website in the IIS, you specify the URL under which your portal is called up in the browser in the "Hostname" field.

The website looks like this in the navigation area on the left of IIS:

You can access the portal in the browser by entering the host name defined here and your domain.

Example

Your domain (host name)	exampledomain.com
Portal name (in the portal properties)	exampleportal
Host name in IIS	exampleportal.exampledomain.com
URL	https://exampleportal.exampledomain.com

A key difference between the use of virtual directories and websites when using multiple portals is that you have to create a separate website in the IIS for each portal.
The corresponding URLs look like this:

URL	https://exampleportal1.exampledomain.com
URL	https://exampleportal2.exampledomain.com
URL	https://exampleportal3.exampledomain.com

What are the advantages of websites?

• The use of websites is future-proof in terms of security. The constantly growing security requirements for web applications can only be met by websites.

• The use of virtual directories can already lead to security problems if several web applications are hosted on the same website(same-origin policy).

• The use of virtual directories can lead to errors if several Intrexx portals are hosted on the same website.

• Virtual directories make it more difficult to configure front-end web servers and web connectors and are very prone to errors.

• URLs in the form of "https://exampleportal.exampledomain.com" are now considered commonplace (in contrast to "https://exampledomain.com/exampleportal/").

How to switch from existing virtual directories to websites.

1. Create a separate website for each virtual directory(Add website in IIS).

   Apply the binding settings from the Default Web Site to your new site.

2. Stop the Default Web Site.

   

   You that your links that refer to virtual directories continue to work correctly, we recommend that you add one or more redirect rules in the URL rewrite module in ISS.

In the following section you will find detailed instructions for setting up a redirection rule in IIS.
If required, please also consult the IIS online help https://www.iis.net/.

Step-by-step guide

To configure a redirect rule for a URL with a virtual directory to a URL with a website, please proceed as follows:

1. Start IIS.

   Make sure that the top entry (below "Start page") is highlighted

2. Click on the "URL Rewrite" icon.

   

3. Click on "Open feature".

   (Alternatively, you can also double-click on the "URL Rewrite" icon)

   

   This takes you to the "URL Rewrite" page.

4. Click on "Add rule(s)..." in the right-hand navigation area.

   

   The "Add rule(s)" dialog box is displayed.

5. Click on "Empty rule".

   

6. Click on "OK".

   The "Edit incoming rule" page appears.

   

   The central input fields for setting up the redirection from a virtual directory to a website are the Pattern and Rewrite URL fields.

   Name

   Enter a name for the redirection rule here.

   Requested URL

   Select the value "Corresponds to pattern" here.

   Using

   Select the value "Regular expressions" here.

   Sample

   Enter the name of the virtual directory with a trailing backslash here.

   Test pattern

   This button allows you to test the redirection.

   Ignore upper/lower case

   Select this checkbox.

   Conditions

   Refer to the IIS online help to find out whether you should use conditions.

   Server variables

   Refer to the IIS online help to find out whether you should use server variables.

   Action type

   Select the "Redirect" value here.

   Redirect URL

   Enter the URL of your portal here with a trailing backslash.

   Append query string

   Select this checkbox.

   Redirection type

   Select the value "Permanent (301)" here.

7. Click on "Apply" in the right-hand navigation area.

   

   You will return to the "URL Rewrite" page.

   The rule you just created will now appear in the list.

   You have now configured a redirect rule for a URL with a virtual directory to a URL with a website.