host node js on windows server (iis)

Question

I started learning server side coding a month ago, I build a nodejs project and webservices with get and post requests using 'express' framework and mssql. My project file includes a 'main.js' file and a 'node_modules' folder.

I'm trying to host this project on IIS but have no idea or experience on how to do so.

Will i have to package my project in some way.

Can i host nodejs projects on IIS? If so, then what are the steps that I need to do so. I have a windows server running IIS with mysql installed there.

Answer 1

Here is a step by step...

1. if you havent done so install node, iisnode and urlrewrite
2. add a website to iis
3. edit the hosts file
4. add your website url to host
5. check your new website modules to ensure iisnode is installed
6. If its there you're good
7. create the node app code JS file
8. Put this code in the file

var express = require("express");
var app = express();
app.get("/", function(req, res) {
  res.send("Hello Worlxxxxd!");
});
// This is REQUIRED for IISNODE to work
app.listen(process.env.PORT, () => {
  console.log("listening");
});

9. add a web.config file to the directory and put this code in it

<configuration> 
    <system.webServer>
  
     <handlers>
       <add name="iisnode" path="node_app.js" verb="*" modules="iisnode" />
     </handlers>
  
     <rewrite>
       <rules>
         <rule name="nodejs">
           <match url="(.*)" />
           <conditions>
             <add input="{REQUEST_FILENAME}" matchType="IsFile" negate="true" />
           </conditions>
           <action type="Rewrite" url="/node_app.js" />
         </rule>
       </rules>
     </rewrite>
  
     <security>
       <requestFiltering>
         <hiddenSegments>
           <add segment="node_modules" />
           <add segment="iisnode" />
         </hiddenSegments>
       </requestFiltering>
     </security>
     </system.webServer> 
 </configuration>

10. in a browser navigate to the new site and you should get this error because you haven't installed express package

11. open a command prompt and install express

12. refresh the web page and voila