Earlier, I posted a step by step guide on Creating IIS7 sites, applications, and virtual directories using Internet Information Services Manager. In the article, I created a new website named “bloggingdeveloper” and created a single HTTP binding configured to listen on all interfaces, port 81, and without a host-header restriction. The site was accessible via http://localhost:81/. 

Serving via http://localhost:81/

In this step by step tutorial, I will describe accessing a local site via name (e.g. http://bloggingdeveloper/) using the Hosts file.

1. Start IIS Manager
   
     To start IIS Manager from the Run dialog box
   1. On the Start menu, click Run.
   2. In the Open box, type inetmgr and then click OK.
   
     To start IIS Manager from the Administrative Services console
   1. In the Control Panel window, click Administrative Tools.
   2. In the Administrative Tools window, click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
      
      

Internet Information Manager 7.0




2. Select your site (bloggingdeveloper) from the left side and select Bindings from the right side under the Edit Site section.
   
   

IIS Bindings




3. In the bindings window Click Add, enter 127.0.0.2 as the IP Address, leave the host header empty and click OK.
   
   

IIS Add Bindings




4. Edit the Hosts File
   
   
   1. Browse to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories
   2. For Windows Vista Users : Right click "Notepad" and select "Run as administrator"
   3. Click "Continue" on the UAC prompt
   4. Click File -> Open
   5. Browse to "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc"
   6. Change the file filter drop down box from "Text Documents (*.txt)" to "All Files (*.*)"
   7. Select "hosts" and click "Open"
      
      
   
   Unedited Hosts File
   
   
   
   
   8. To the end of the file add the following line:
      
      

   127.0.0.2 bloggingdeveloper

   
   Edited Hosts File
   
   
   
   
   9. Close Notepad. Save when prompted.



If you skip Step b in Windows Vista and try to modify your hosts file, it will not let you save it. It tells you that you don't have permission. To successfully modify the hosts file, run notepad.exe as an administrator.


Error when trying to save hosts file without administrative privilages





You may use any IP Address between 127.0.0.2 and 127.0.0.254.

5. Browse your site via http://bloggingdeveloper/
   
   

Serving via http://bloggingdeveloper

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