IIS 7.0 Editions and Windows

IIS 7.0 is available for both desktop and server editions of Windows. On Windows Vista, IIS 7.0 offers Web administrators and Web developers a complete platform for building and testing dynamic Web sites and Web applications. IIS 7.0 running on Windows Vista also enables process activation, process management, and the necessary HTTP infrastructure for creating WCF–based applications.

The way IIS 7.0 works on Windows Vista depends on the edition of Windows Vista you are using. On Windows Vista Starter and Home Basic editions, IIS 7.0 cannot be used to host Web sites, Web applications, or Windows SharePoint Services. On these editions, a limited set of IIS features are available, such as Windows Activation Service components that are used to enable WCF-based applications. Users who install WCF-based applications will not need to install these components. The necessary components are installed automatically by WCF. With these editions, the simultaneous request execution limit for IIS is three, meaning that an application or a group of running applications could make up to three simultaneous requests for Web content through the installed IIS components.

On Windows Vista Home Premium, most of the IIS 7.0 features required for Web site development are available. The available features should allow most casual or hobbyist administrators and developers to build and test dynamic Web sites and Web applications. Many advanced features are missing, however, including advanced authentication components, advanced logging components, and FTP server components. As with Starter and Home Basic editions of Windows Vista, the simultaneous request execution limit for IIS is three for Windows Vista Home Premium, meaning you or running applications could make up to three simultaneous requests for Web content through the installed IIS components.

For Windows Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions, all IIS 7.0 features are available. This means that professional Web administrators and Web developers have everything necessary to design, build, and test Web sites and Web applications. The simultaneous request execution limit is ten for these editions of Windows Vista, meaning you or running applications could make up to ten simultaneous requests for Web content through the installed IIS components.

With server editions of Windows, you can use IIS to host Web servers, Web applications, and Windows SharePoint Services. All features of IIS 7.0 are available on all editions of Windows Server 2008. On Windows Server operating systems, IIS 7.0 has no request execution limit. This means that an unlimited number of simultaneous requests can be made to the IIS 7.0 server core.

*.* Source of Information : Microsoft Press Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 Administrator's Pocket Consultant