IIS · December 18, 2023

IIS for Newbie: Set up a continuous integration pipeline

IIS for Newbie: Set up a Continuous Integration Pipeline

Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice that allows developers to integrate code changes frequently into a shared repository. This process helps identify and resolve integration issues early on, ensuring a smoother development workflow. In this article, we will explore how to set up a CI pipeline using Internet Information Services (IIS) for beginners.

What is IIS?

IIS, or Internet Information Services, is a web server software developed by Microsoft. It provides a platform for hosting websites, web applications, and services on Windows servers. With its robust features and easy-to-use interface, IIS is a popular choice for hosting websites and applications.

Setting up IIS

Before we dive into setting up a CI pipeline, let's first ensure that IIS is properly installed on your Windows server. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Server Manager on your Windows server.
  2. Select "Add Roles and Features" from the Manage menu.
  3. Click "Next" until you reach the "Server Roles" section.
  4. Expand "Web Server (IIS)" and select the desired features, such as "Web Server," "Common HTTP Features," and "ASP.NET."
  5. Click "Next" and then "Install" to begin the installation process.

Once the installation is complete, you can access the IIS Manager by searching for "IIS" in the Start menu.

Creating a CI Pipeline with IIS

Now that IIS is set up, let's proceed with creating a CI pipeline. We will use Jenkins, a popular open-source automation server, for this purpose. Follow these steps:

  1. Download and install Jenkins on your Windows server.
  2. Launch Jenkins and access it through your web browser.
  3. Install the necessary plugins for building and deploying .NET applications.
  4. Create a new Jenkins job and configure it to pull your source code from a version control system, such as Git or SVN.
  5. Set up the build steps, which may include compiling the code, running tests, and generating artifacts.
  6. Configure the deployment step to publish the artifacts to the IIS server.
  7. Set up post-build actions, such as sending notifications or triggering other jobs.
  8. Save the Jenkins job and run it to test the CI pipeline.

With these steps, you have successfully set up a CI pipeline using IIS and Jenkins. Now, every time you make changes to your code and push them to the version control system, Jenkins will automatically build and deploy the updated code to your IIS server.

Summary

In conclusion, setting up a continuous integration pipeline using IIS and Jenkins can greatly enhance your development workflow. By automating the build and deployment process, you can ensure faster and more reliable software releases. If you are looking for a reliable VPS hosting provider to host your IIS server, consider Server.HK. With their top-notch VPS solutions, you can enjoy high-performance hosting for your CI pipeline.