Drupal multi-site setup on IIS 6.0, FastCGI 1.0, and PHP 5.2.11

Submitted by Boden Davidson on

It is possible to have a Drupal multi-site setup on IIS 6.0, using the FastCGI extension to connect to PHP. In fact, it is necessary to use FastCGI rather than ISAPI to have a multi-site setup, as well as to be able to setup up Clean URLs. FastCGI also tends to be faster than ISAPI because it recycles processes for server requests.

Rather than just repeat the instructions that are provided elsewhere, I will provide the links to the resources I used to get my setup running and points to give extra consideration. Please feel free to post any questions, or your own experiences in the comments. This article was inspired by the discussion on Drupal Groups "Production Drupal sites on IIS (or windows in general) - Experiences?". I wanted to migrate to a multi-site setup to make core and module updates easier.

Start by reading the article "Using FastCGI to Host PHP Applications on IIS 6.0" on IIS.net. This is the primary guide for the entire setup process.

"Confirguring FastCGI Extension for IIS 6.0"is another good resource. It is specific to setting up sites in IIS manually to work with FastCGI, and advisable to review as well.

Some tips before proceeding:

  • I had been running PHP 5.2.9 before deciding to upgrade to a multi-site install, but did not have success with that version and FastCGI. Therefore, I recommend completely scrubbing PHP 5.2.9, make a backup copy of php.ini but delete it from the install directory.
  • I removed all other traces PHP that had accumulated through my testing, as I had tried to use the FastCGI-PHP combo installer from IIS-aid.net, without success, and it had installed PHP to a different directory than usual. Same case with random files from the PHP installer from Microsoft.
  • I had also tried FastCGI 1.5 RC (beta), without success, and completely uninstalled this as well - by using the "Add/Remove Programs" Control Panel function in Windows, and then deleting the three FastCGI files from the system32 folder.
  • I made sure to remove the old ISAPI script mappings from all sites in IIS before starting the setup process.
  • I make no reference to installing MySQL here, I assume you already have it installed and running.
  • I usually run a Google search when tackling a tech issue, and gather as much information as possible before diving into the endeavor

Once you have a clean slate to work with, follow the steps in "Using FastCGI to Host PHP Applications on IIS 6.0", which are summarized below with extra notes.

1. Install FastCGI extension

  • the "Install Now" link on the right side of the page will install the Microsoft Web Platform Installer, which is recommended over the direct download links because it is possible to select the FastCGI 1.0 version rather than the 1.5 beta

2. Install PHP

  • make sure you download the PHP 5.2.11 Non-thread-safe installer, which can be found at the link above, towards the bottom of the page
  • select the following extensions when prompted during the process: BLENC, bzip2, Curl, EXIF, FDF, GD2, Gettext, IMAP, Multi-Byte String (mbstring), Mimetypec, MySQLi, OpenSSL, PDO, PDO_MYSQL, POP3, SMTP, SOAP, timezonedb, XML-RPC, zip, PEAR Install [thanks to Switchback for providing their list]
  • select the FastCGI option when prompted to configure the server

3. Configure FastCGI, PHP, and IIS to work with each other

  • follow the instructions in the article to manually set IIS up, and to change the fcgiext.ini and php.ini files by hand - the mappings and some of the settings in fcgiext.ini may be set automatically, but verify the settings and make sure to edit the CGI settings in php.ini (per the section "Setting FastCGI Configuration...")

4. Setup multi-site install of Drupal

  • follow the Drupal tutorial "Multi-site on Windows-IIS" -if you have trouble connecting to your sites, try using full ".com" names for your folders -it can be helpful to restart IIS as well if you cannot connect to your sites
Source(s): 
http://groups.drupal.org/node/25535
http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/247/using-fastcgi-to-host-php-applications-on-iis…
http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/248/configuring-fastcgi-extension-for-iis-60
http://iis-aid.net
http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/247/using-fastcgi-to-host-php-applications-on-iis…
http://www.iis.net/extensions/fastcgi
http://www.php.net/downloads.php
http://groups.drupal.org/files/Install%20Steps.pdf
http://drupal.org/node/554336

Comments

ovguitars replied on Permalink

ovguitars

<a href="http://www.videobebin.com/nike-tiempo-legend-vii-cheap-all-grey-shoes-bi... tiempo legend vii cheap all grey shoes billig</a> <a href="http://www.leonska.com/elite-brian-schwenke-womens-jersey-tennessee-tita... brian schwenke womens jersey tennessee titans 62 road white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.pokertang.com/wholesale-nike-air-max-lunar-1-men-all-white-bi... nike air max lunar 1 men all white billig</a> <a href="http://www.choreod.com/elite-tom-brady-mens-jersey-new-england-patriots-... tom brady mens jersey new england patriots super bowl xlix 12 salute to service white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.sfielite.com/mlb-jerseys-los-angeles-dodgers-blank-grey-cool-... jerseys los angeles dodgers blank grey cool base jersey w dodger stadium 50th anniversary patch billig</a> <a href="http://www.nonnaloves.com/nike-kaishi-price-philippines-billig-ua11_en">... kaishi price philippines billig</a>
<a href="http://www.ovguitars.com/" >ovguitars</a>

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my
site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to
find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

salimarket replied on Permalink

salimarket

<a href="http://www.videobebin.com/nike-tiempo-legend-vii-cheap-all-grey-shoes-bi... tiempo legend vii cheap all grey shoes billig</a> <a href="http://www.leonska.com/elite-brian-schwenke-womens-jersey-tennessee-tita... brian schwenke womens jersey tennessee titans 62 road white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.pokertang.com/wholesale-nike-air-max-lunar-1-men-all-white-bi... nike air max lunar 1 men all white billig</a> <a href="http://www.choreod.com/elite-tom-brady-mens-jersey-new-england-patriots-... tom brady mens jersey new england patriots super bowl xlix 12 salute to service white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.sfielite.com/mlb-jerseys-los-angeles-dodgers-blank-grey-cool-... jerseys los angeles dodgers blank grey cool base jersey w dodger stadium 50th anniversary patch billig</a> <a href="http://www.nonnaloves.com/nike-kaishi-price-philippines-billig-ua11_en">... kaishi price philippines billig</a>
<a href="http://www.salimarket.com/" >salimarket</a>

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring
writers? I'm planning to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform
like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so
many choices out there that I'm completely overwhelmed ..
Any ideas? Cheers!

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your web site provided us with valuable info to work
on. You've done a formidable job and our
whole community will be grateful to you.

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

I am curious to find out what blog system you have been using?
I'm having some minor security issues with my latest
blog and I would like to find something more safeguarded.

Do you have any solutions?

BellanireSwino replied on Permalink

niskokaloricna dijeta forum

[b]Dr. Oz i tim otkrili najjeftinije rjesenje za tijelo bez masnih naslaga koje osvaja Hollywood![/b]

Kako to da su holivudske starlete tako <a href=http://quantumhologram.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=outoflinea... lijepe</a> i zgodne cak i u 40-im, 50-im, ili cak 60-im godinama? Da li se bas uvijek radi o skupim liposukcijama i opasnim plasticnim operacijama? Prema misljenju Dr. Oza, odgovor je NE! Medutim, ako se ne podvrgavaju plasticnim operacijama da bi izgledale sjajno, u cemu je njihova tajna? Nastavite citati, u pitanju je nevjerojatno ucinkovit, siguran i jeftin proizvod! <br>
Prije nekoliko tjedana, u svojoj emisiji Dr.Oz nam je otkrio tajnu koju daje svojim slavnim klijentima koji zele smrsati brzo, ali plase se potencijalnog rizika od operacije ili nemaju vremena za vjezbanje u teretani. Iznenadili smo se kako je nevjerojatno jednostavna, jeftina i ucinkovita tehnika u <a href=http://www.missionkitchen.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=outofli... pitanju</a>. Morali smo je sami testirati i napisati poseban clanak o rezultatima! <br>

<a href=http://ww5.libdd.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=outoflineartgoes... outoflineartgoesdada.com </a>

[b]Citaj vise[/b]

<a href="http://gdynia.oswiata-solidarnosc.pl/?p=325#comment-228885">dijeta 2 kg za 3 dana</a>
<a href="http://gdynia.oswiata-solidarnosc.pl/?p=325#comment-228879">Nutrivix</a>
<a href="http://gdynia.oswiata-solidarnosc.pl/?p=679#comment-228858">Kako smanjiti trbuh</a>
3c0d849

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

I blog often and I really appreciate your content.
The article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a
note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once
per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

Reyes Fie replied on Permalink

Elvera Adriance

really nice

This is as a matter of fact established facts my friend. you are a dialect right gentle novelist . i dearth to dividend with you my website as well. tell me what do you contemplate approximately it

[url=https://tinyurl.com/smj3gl9]buy youtube views[/url]

Thankyou again for posting such good content. Cheers

ig replied on Permalink

Add new comment | arxic Drupal

Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it
up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any points for first-time blog writers?
I'd genuinely appreciate it.

linetarh replied on Permalink

linetarh

<a href="http://www.marknoack.com/nike-kaishi-herren-all-black-billig-ua3_en">nike kaishi herren all black billig</a> <a href="http://www.meehrzeit.com/2014-15-manchester-city-33-nastasic-home-soccer... 15 manchester city 33 nastasic home soccer aaa t shirt womens billig</a> <a href="http://www.linetarh.com/nike-free-rn-flyknit-on-foot-billig-ua10_en">nike free rn flyknit on foot billig</a> <a href="http://www.scentson.com/women-air-max-2009-blue-black-shoes-canada-billi... air max 2009 blue black shoes canada billig</a> <a href="http://www.baladoci.com/nike-gs-ii-acc-all-black-grey-billig-ua7_en">nike gs ii acc all black grey billig</a> <a href="http://www.bahisitem.com/nike-sf-af1-black-little-blue-shoes-ua3_en">nike sf-af1 black little blue shoes</a>
<a href="http://www.linetarh.com/" >linetarh</a>

marknoack replied on Permalink

marknoack

<a href="http://www.videobebin.com/nike-mercurial-vapor-x-all-white-red-billig-ua... mercurial vapor x all white red billig</a> <a href="http://www.leonska.com/miami-heat-fitted-hats-new-era-xolos-billig-hati_... heat fitted hats new era xolos billig</a> <a href="http://www.pokertang.com/adidas-x-18.2-fg-all-white-shoes-ua1_de">adidas x 18.2 fg all white shoes</a> <a href="http://www.choreod.com/nike-bears-99-dan-hampton-whitepink-womens-stitch... bears 99 dan hampton whitepink womens stitched nfl limited rush fashion jersey billig</a> <a href="http://www.sfielite.com/nike-cortez-rouge-noir-pour-vente-ua14_de">nike cortez rouge noir pour vente</a> <a href="http://www.nonnaloves.com/2014-super-bowl-jerseys-denver-broncos-88-dema... super bowl jerseys denver broncos 88 demaryius thomas navy blue alternate limited jersey billig</a>
<a href="http://www.marknoack.com/" >marknoack</a>

nonnaloves replied on Permalink

nonnaloves

<a href="http://www.salimarket.com/jordan-1-black-og-gum-for-cheap-billig-ua5_en"... 1 black og gum for cheap billig</a> <a href="http://www.ovguitars.com/nike-air-max-2017-womens-all-black-grey-uk-bill... air max 2017 womens all black grey uk billig</a> <a href="http://www.dronzlife.com/womens-air-jordan-5-bel-air-journal-billig-ua5_... air jordan 5 bel air journal billig</a>
<a href="http://www.nonnaloves.com/" >nonnaloves</a>

air jordans replied on Permalink

air jordans

My husband and i got now cheerful Chris could deal with his survey by way of the precious recommendations he got through your site. It is now and again perplexing to just always be giving freely instructions that some others have been selling. And we also understand we've got the writer to appreciate for that. The entire explanations you've made, the straightforward blog navigation, the relationships your site make it possible to instill - it is everything exceptional, and it's aiding our son in addition to us do think the subject is amusing, which is seriously fundamental. Thank you for the whole thing!

salimarket replied on Permalink

salimarket

<a href="http://www.videobebin.com/nike-tiempo-legend-vii-cheap-all-grey-shoes-bi... tiempo legend vii cheap all grey shoes billig</a> <a href="http://www.leonska.com/elite-brian-schwenke-womens-jersey-tennessee-tita... brian schwenke womens jersey tennessee titans 62 road white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.pokertang.com/wholesale-nike-air-max-lunar-1-men-all-white-bi... nike air max lunar 1 men all white billig</a> <a href="http://www.choreod.com/elite-tom-brady-mens-jersey-new-england-patriots-... tom brady mens jersey new england patriots super bowl xlix 12 salute to service white nfl billig</a> <a href="http://www.sfielite.com/mlb-jerseys-los-angeles-dodgers-blank-grey-cool-... jerseys los angeles dodgers blank grey cool base jersey w dodger stadium 50th anniversary patch billig</a> <a href="http://www.nonnaloves.com/nike-kaishi-price-philippines-billig-ua11_en">... kaishi price philippines billig</a>
<a href="http://www.salimarket.com/" >salimarket</a>

pg 1 replied on Permalink

pg 1

I definitely wanted to type a quick note so as to say thanks to you for these lovely pointers you are writing at this website. My time-consuming internet investigation has at the end been recognized with reputable information to share with my pals. I would mention that we site visitors are extremely blessed to be in a perfect site with very many awesome professionals with very helpful suggestions. I feel extremely blessed to have discovered your webpages and look forward to so many more fabulous moments reading here. Thanks once more for a lot of things.

yeezy replied on Permalink

yeezy

I precisely desired to thank you so much once again. I'm not certain the things I might have accomplished in the absence of the information shown by you concerning such a concern. It has been an absolute distressing concern in my position, however , looking at the very expert approach you processed that made me to leap with contentment. I'm happy for the guidance and in addition expect you are aware of an amazing job that you are carrying out educating the mediocre ones with the aid of your web page. I am certain you haven't come across any of us.

RonaldPlaix replied on Permalink

Marin Anabl

This is a really riveting website I must say.

Too bad that there are not too varied websites like This anymore. But I am happy that I bring about it. Penetrating criticism on it .

You can see my website here as luxuriously: [url=https://xbodydristor.blogspot.com]xbody bucuresti[/url]

Typicalcat74 replied on Permalink

4 In other words, Believing that his 9

http://adelhof-mijdrecht.nl/%ef%bb%bfbest-and-free-dating-online-site-fo... non payment best seniors online dating website https://www.cosororecords.com/top-rated-mature-dating-online-service-dru... vancouver ethiopian seniors dating online site http://www.vallcom.it/%ef%bb%bfno-payment-required-seniors-online-dating... senior dating online service no payment needed http://mybiztl.com/free-biggest-seniors-dating-online-services-drupal.ar... philippines nigerian senior online dating site

Typicalcat44 replied on Permalink

6 There is also His education consisted 5

http://thcclub.es/%ef%bb%bfno-charge-cheapest-senior-dating-online-websi... most used seniors online dating site in austin https://its-u.nl/50's-plus-seniors-online-dating-websites-drupal.arxic.c... phoenix canadian seniors dating online service http://www.econav.es/%ef%bb%bfbest-and-highest-rated-mature-online-datin... dallas brazilian seniors dating online service http://mietchop-france.com/senior-dating-online-websites-without-pay-dru... san antonio american senior online dating site

Pages

Add new comment