| Creating a Virtual
Directory to access Network Resources
(Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003)
Overview:
This tutorial explains the steps required to add
a Virtual Directory to your web site or Intranet.
What is a Virtual Directory?
A Virtual Directory is a directory within a web site that
links to another directory. This link can be to directory
on the local server or network share.
Why is this useful?
A Virtual Directory can be useful if you need to include existing
files within a web site or Intranet but are not able to move
or copy them beneath the physical site root. Virtual Directories
are particularly useful when used in conjunction with Microsoft
Indexing Services as files on Network shares can be indexed
and made available for searching - this can potentially allow
users to search for files across multiple network shares without
the need to reconfigure UNC shares or server roles.
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1. Add a Virtual Directory from within Computer
Management:
To open computer management, right click on 'My Computer'
and select 'Manage'. If you are using the new-style
start menu click 'Start' then right-click on 'My Computer'
and select 'Manage'.
Expand 'Internet Information Services (IIS)' by clicking
on the plus next to it, then expand 'Web Sites' and
the web site you want to add a Virtual Directory to.
Next, right-click on the name of the web site and select
'New' and 'Virtual Directory' as shown in Figure 1 above.
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5. User name and password for
accessing Network resources:
If you are adding a local directory as a Virtual Directory
you should skip this step as you will not be prompted
for a user name and password. Press 'Next' to continue.
If you are adding a Network Share as a
Virtual Directory then you should supply the user name
and password of an account that has the necessary permissions
to access the share.
Windows Server 2003 has an additional
checkbox (shown above) which allows the credentials
of the current user (IUSR_SERVERNAME if your site uses
anonymous access) to be used when accessing Network
Resources. You may want to consider enabling this feature
if your site uses Integrated Windows Authentication
but not if you are using Anonymous access.
Press 'Next' to continue.
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8. The new Virtual Directory within
the web site tree:
You will notice that the Virtual Directory now appears
in the web site tree as it's 'Alias'. Virtual Directories
are identified by a folder with a Globe or by a cog
wheel icon if they are also configured as an Application.
See section 9 below for more information on icon types.
The Virtual Directory can be accessed
via it's 'Alias' (eg. http://intranet/sales/) using
a web browser.
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Windows XP/2000 Pro/Server |
Windows Server 2003 |
9. A note on types of IIS directories:
The image above illustrates the three icons (four with
Windows XP/2000) you may come across when working with
IIS.
Application: This icon
represents either a physical directory or virtual directory
that has been enabled as an Application using the IIS
management console.
Virtual Directory: This
icon represents a Virtual Directory - a directory or
subdirectory that is not physically under the web site
route. A Virtual Directory can be located on the local
machine or network resource.
Error (Windows XP/2000 only):
This icon represents a Virtual Directory linked to a
Network Resource that does not have the necessary permissions
to access it. This can be caused by the Network Resource
not being available, the user not having permissions
to access the Network Resource or the user name and/or
password not being correct.
Directory: This icon
represents a physical directory or subdirectory located
within the site route.
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