Windows Server 2003 uses IIS 6.0.
Internet Information Services (IIS) on Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 comes bundled with Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0. This version marked a significant evolution for Microsoft's web server software, offering enhanced security, reliability, and performance compared to its predecessors.
Key Features and Enhancements of IIS 6.0
IIS 6.0 introduced several notable improvements, solidifying its role as a robust platform for hosting web applications and services. These enhancements contributed to a more stable and secure web environment:
- Worker Process Isolation Mode: A major architectural change, this model isolated web applications from each other and from the core web server process. If one application crashed, it typically wouldn't affect others, significantly increasing reliability.
- Enhanced Security: The new worker process model inherently increased security by running worker processes with reduced privileges. This limited potential damage from exploits.
- IPv6 Support: IIS 6.0 was among the first versions to natively include support for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), preparing for the future of internet addressing.
- Improved Scalability and Performance: Significant architectural changes led to better resource management and the ability to handle more concurrent requests.
- Command-Line Administration: While not as comprehensive as later versions, IIS 6.0 introduced better scripting capabilities through tools like
iiscnfg.vbs
, allowing for more automated management.
IIS Version Compatibility Overview
To provide context, here's a brief overview of how IIS versions are typically associated with different Windows Server operating systems:
IIS Version | Associated Windows Operating System(s) | Key Features / Notes |
---|---|---|
IIS 5.0 | Windows 2000 Server | Integral component; introduced Active Server Pages (ASP) |
IIS 6.0 | Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition | New worker process model, IPv6 support, enhanced security |
IIS 7.0 | Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista | Complete re-architecture, modular design, new UI |
IIS 7.5 | Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7 | Improved management tools, FTP 7.5, WebDAV |
IIS 8.0 | Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 | SNI, CPU Throttling, Application Initialization |
IIS 8.5 | Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 | Enhanced Logging, Dynamic IP Restrictions |
IIS 10.0 | Windows Server 2016/2019/2022, Windows 10/11 | HTTP/2 support, PowerShell integration |
This table highlights that IIS 6.0 was a foundational component of Windows Server 2003, providing a stable and secure platform for web services during its lifecycle.