Configuring ASP.NET Applications 

Using the features of the ASP.NET configuration system, you can configure an entire server, an ASP.NET application, or individual pages in application subdirectories. You can configure features such as authentication modes, page caching, compiler options, custom errors, debug and trace options, and much more.

The ASP.NET configuration system features an extensible infrastructure that enables you to define configuration settings in XML files that are easily deployed. These files, each named Web.config, can exist in multiple locations in an ASP.NET application. You can add or revise configuration settings at any time with minimal impact on operational Web applications and servers.

For more information about what is new in the .NET Framework version 2.0, see What's New in ASP.NET Configuration.

For more information about configuring .NET Framework client applications, see Configuring Applications and Configuration File Schema for the .NET Framework.

Note

The features of the ASP.NET configuration system apply only to ASP.NET resources. For example, Forms Authentication only restricts access to ASP.NET files, not to static files or classic Active Server Pages (ASP) files unless those resources are mapped to ASP.NET extensions. Use the configuration features of Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) to configure non-ASP.NET resources. For more information, see Working with the Metabase (IIS 6.0) and IIS Metabase Properties.

In This Section

• ASP.NET Configuration Overview
  Provides brief descriptions of the features of the ASP.NET configuration system with links to more in-depth information.

• ASP.NET Configuration Files
  Provides information about ASP.NET configuration files, including their structure, editing methods, file hierarchy, inheritance behavior, and the features of the location element.

• ASP.NET and IIS Configuration
  Provides information about configuring IIS to support ASP.NET applications.

• ASP.NET MMC Snap-In
  Provides information about using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in to configure ASP.NET applications.

• Web Site Administration Tool Overview
  Provides information about using the Web Site Administration Tool to configure ASP.NET applications.

• ASP.NET Configuration API
  Provides information about configuring ASP.NET applications programmatically.

• Securing ASP.NET Configuration
  Provides information about the security mechanisms that are built into the ASP.NET configuration system, and issues that are of concern to administrators.

• Creating and Configuring the Application Services Database for SQL Server
  Provides information about installing and configuring the providers that are used by various ASP.NET features like membership, roles, and profiles.

• How-to Topics — Configuring ASP.NET Applications
  Provides links to topics that illustrate tasks related to configuring ASP.NET applications.

• Walkthrough Topics — Configuring ASP.NET Applications
  Provides links to step-by-step walkthrough topics related to configuring ASP.NET applications.

• Samples — Configuring ASP.NET Applications
  Provides complete code samples related to configuring ASP.NET features.

Related Sections

• ASP.NET Configuration Settings
  Provides reference documentation for each of the configuration settings for ASP.NET applications.

• General Configuration Settings (ASP.NET)
  Provides reference documentation for general .NET Framework configuration settings that also apply to ASP.NET applications.

• Encrypting Configuration Information Using Protected Configuration
  Provides information about protecting sensitive information in configuration files.

• Configuring Applications
  Provides conceptual information about configuring .NET Framework client applications, not related to ASP.NET.

• Configuration File Schema for the .NET Framework
  Provides reference documentation for general .NET Framework configuration settings that apply to .NET Framework client applications, not related to ASP.NET.

• ASP.NET and IIS Configuration
  Provides how-to information for IIS administrative tasks that are common in ASP.NET application development.