IISExpress returns a 503 error from remote machines

Question

I'm attempting to test a website I have running in a local IISExpress instance with some other machines / devices on my local network. I am running Win7 Pro.

When I first attempt to browse to my machine from another machine on my local network segment, I get a 400 error: Hostname is invalid.

I understand that I need to grant remote access to the ACL with a command on the elevated command prompt like:

netsh http add urlacl url=http://mymachinename:50333/ user=everyone

Now I get a 503 service is unavailable error.

Windows Firewall is currently shut off, and I am able to browse my local IISExpress instance with the address http://localhost:50333

What is the final piece to this configuration puzzle?

Answer 1

It looks like you are missing a binding information entry in applicationhost.config file.

1. Open your applicationhost.config file. Possible locations are:

   • %userprofile%\Documents\IISExpress\config\applicationhost.config
   • $(solutionDir)\.vs\config\applicationhost.config (VS2015)
   • Failing that, inspect the output from iisexpress.exe to be sure.

2. Locate your WebSite entry and add following binding with your machine name.

        <binding protocol="http" bindingInformation=":50333:your-machine-name" />
   

3. Restart IIS Express