Item: Microsoft IIS
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We're a Microsoft based organization... we use .NET Framework C#, azure, teams, outlook etc etc. [Microsoft] IIS is our first choice for an internet web server. But even if we weren't so Microsoft focused, it's hard to find an easier to use product than IIS. Installation, usage, configuration is easy, without any lack of functionality.

Pros and Cons

The user interface is very clean and intuitive
The is almost no learning curve
Installation is very easy

There are some hidden and not very easy to find configurations that would have been better if completely left out, like machine.config. I understand the idea, but sometimes things are easier without trying to make things easy for you.
After 15 years of usage I still don't understand why IIS sometimes complains that I already used my *.domain https certificate for another website in the same domain.
There are too many versions... IIS should be a product with almost no other functionality than being a web server. It's not necessary to have imcompatible versions.

Most Important Features

Configuration of websites
Reverse proxy
Management of SSL certificates

Return on Investment

Speed of development. You don't need to be an expert to expose your website through some DNS
Robust, there has never been any downtime because of IIS itself.
The ease of use can have (and has had) some negative impact because it's too easy to implement something, and then forget. When a server is taken down, those unthoughtful implementations come to light the hard way.

Alternatives Considered

Apache Tomcat

Apache is java. Java is unnecessary complex. No developer wants to invest in learning all the hundreds of text based configuration files to get something done. Also, apache gives you the most evil and un-usable user interface possible. [Microsoft] IIS makes [life] after development easy, which is already complex enough to be bothered by something as mundane as exposing your work over the internet.

Key Insights

Do you think Microsoft IIS delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Microsoft IIS's feature set?

Yes

Did Microsoft IIS live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Microsoft IIS go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Microsoft IIS again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Azure SQL Database, Azure App Service, Azure Blob Storage

Likelihood to Recommend

[Microsoft IIS is] well suited for any scenario... I can't imagine a scenario where it's not suited. Compared to apache of any other server, IIS is what this kind of application is supposed to do: be simple! Of course, there might be scenario's where you want a leaner or modular product with a web server that works for just one application, but in my opinion that is never an advantage, since a centrally managed application is always faster to use, and speed is, in the end, the only thing that matters in IT.

Build for ease.

Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft IIS