Set up SmarterMail as an IIS Site (IIS 6.0)

In order for users to access SmarterMail outside of the server where it is installed, SmarterMail must first be configured as a site in a web server, such as Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS). During SmarterMail's installation process, an IIS Config Tool will be available to automatically configure this site.
 
If Administrators wish to skip the IIS configuration during SmarterMail's installation, there are two options for completing that configuration later: 1.) Running the IIS Config Tool at a later time or 2.) manually configuring a site directly in IIS. To run the IIS Config Tool outside of SmarterMail's installation, navigate to its location in the server files, which defaults to C:\Program Files (x86)\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\IISTool\IisConfigurationTool.exe. To manually configure a SmarterMail site within IIS 7, follow the steps below. 
 
Note that the instructions for setting up SmarterMail as an IIS site differ slightly depending on which version of IIS is available. If you are using IIS 8.0, please refer to the KB article Set Up SmarterMail as an IIS Site in IIS 8. If you are using IIS 7.0, please refer to the KB article Set up SmarterMail as an IIS Site in IIS 7.0

NOTE: This topic assumes that you are familiar with IIS and how it works. For specific information on IIS, please refer to Microsoft's documentation and support: https://www.iis.net/overview It is also recommended to be up-to-date with all software patches.

This article covers the following:

  1. Adding a new Application pool for SmarterMail
  2. Adding SmarterMail to IIS
  3. Verifying IIS Settings

Applies to SmarterMail 8.x - 13.x

Add an Application Pool
Follow these steps to add an application pool:

  1. Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  2. Right click on Application Pools and choose New -> Application Pool.
  3. Name the pool SmarterMail (or something equivalent) and click OK.
  4. Click Close.

Add SmarterMail to IIS
Follow these steps to add SmarterMail to IIS:

  1. Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  2. Right-click on the web sites tree on the left of the page and choose New -> Web Site.
  3. When asked for a description, type SmarterMail
  4. Choose the IP address to use for webmail. If this IP address is shared with another web site, you will need to use a different port or Host Headers. For more information about using Host Headers, refer to the IIS documentation.
  5. For the physical path, browse to the SmarterMail\MRS folder. The default location is: C:\Program Files (x86)\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\MRS.
  6. Leave the “Allow anonymous access to this web site” box checked.
  7. When asked what permissions to grant, choose only Read and Run Scripts.
  8. Finish the Wizard.
  9. Go to Property of the site and then Home Directory tab
  10. From Application pool select the SmarterMail application pool you created
  11. Click Configure Button
  12. Add an application extension
    1. Executable: C:\Windows\Microsoft.net\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_isapi.dll
    2. Extension: .xml
    3. All Verbs
    4. Uncheck "Verify that files exist"
  13. Click OK

Verify IIS Settings
Follow these steps to verify the IIS settings:

  1. If you are using Windows 2003, verify that ASP .NET v4.0 Web Service Extension is set to Allowed in IIS. If you do not see ASP .NET under Web Service Extensions, ensure that ASP .NET is enabled in the Application Server. You can do this by going to: Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Windows Components -> Application Server -> Details.
  2. Ensure that the default document for the site is Default.aspx (under the Documents tab).
  3. For better performance, set HTTP content expiration for 7 days on the App_Themes folder unless you are actively creating a new skin.
  4. In Windows 2003, alter application pool’s performance tab to disable the “Shutdown worker process after being idle for,” or change it to a high value, like 240.

Update DNS
If any domains are already set up with SmarterMail, make sure to update their Webmail DNS records to point to the new IP address.

Test the site
Open up your browser and type the IP address of the site you just added.

Applies to SmarterMail 8.x - 10.x

Disable the SmarterMail Web Server

These steps will stop and disable the web server included with SmarterMail. They will also have the side-effect of disabling the shortcut on SmarterMail on your desktop until you update it with the new URL for SmarterMail.

  1. Click on Start -> Program Files -> SmarterTools -> SmarterMail -> Configure SmarterMail Web Server.
  2. Click on the Stop button.
  3. Change the Startup Mode to Disabled
  4. Click on the Apply button.
  5. Click the Close button.

Add an Application Pool
Follow these steps to add an application pool:

  1. Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  2. Right click on Application Pools and choose New -> Application Pool.
  3. Name the pool SmarterMail (or something equivalent) and click OK.
  4. Click Close.

Add SmarterMail to IIS
Follow these steps to add SmarterMail to IIS:

  1. Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  2. Right-click on the web sites tree on the left of the page and choose New -> Web Site.
  3. When asked for a description, type SmarterMail
  4. Choose the IP address to use for webmail. If this IP address is shared with another web site, you will need to use a different port or Host Headers. For more information about using Host Headers, refer to the IIS documentation.
  5. For the physical path, browse to the SmarterMail\MRS folder. The default location is: C:\Program Files (x86)\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\MRS.
  6. Leave the “Allow anonymous access to this web site” box checked.
  7. When asked what permissions to grant, choose only Read and Run Scripts.
  8. Finish the Wizard.

Verify IIS Settings
Follow these steps to verify the IIS settings:

  1. If you are using Windows 2003, verify that ASP .NET v4.0 Web Service Extension is set to Allowed in IIS. If you do not see ASP .NET under Web Service Extensions, ensure that ASP .NET is enabled in the Application Server. You can do this by going to: Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Windows Components -> Application Server -> Details.
  2. Ensure that the default document for the site is Default.aspx (under the Documents tab).
  3. For better performance, set HTTP content expiration for 7 days on the App_Themes folder unless you are actively creating a new skin.
  4. In Windows 2003, alter application pool’s performance tab to disable the “Shutdown worker process after being idle for,” or change it to a high value, like 240.

Update DNS
If any domains are already set up with SmarterMail, make sure to update their Webmail DNS records to point to the new IP address.

Test the site
Open up your browser and type the IP address of the site you just added.

 
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Feedback

you don't specify that the new website needs to be using the new application pool
Glenn Smith (3/15/2013 at 9:41 AM)
Glenn, this was sort of understood, but we've added it as a step as well.
Derek Curtis (8/14/2013 at 8:56 AM)