When you install a Port80 Software IIS module or ISAPI filter (applies any ISAPI filter, not just Port80 tools), we have to stop the Web server to perform the installation. The analogy would be like adding a new part to a car engine -- it is smart to turn off the car first!
The Problem
Port80 installers tell Windows to shut down the Web server (the iisadmin service, which includes FTP and SMTP as well as HTTP) during install (after giving you a warning first), but IIS does not always execute this command flawlessly. As such, you may complete the installation only to find that there is some crash or issue -- it would appear to be the fault of a Port80 tool, but really you are seeing a lack of control over IIS causing a misfire in our installer sequencing. In these cases, the components required to make a Port80 tool work (DLLs, and sometimes metabase and registry settings) are not installed correctly, causing an issue on the Web server that could lead to multiple points of failure.
The Solution
Many Port80 users have found our complimentary InstallCheck tool to be handy to confirm everything is installed correctly after a new installation or after patching. Make sure to check out our Install Notes page if you have any difficulty – you will find that once a Port80 Software tool is installed and configured correctly, you will get the IIS enhancements/features that you are looking for:
http://www.port80software.com/support/installnotes
In the perfect ISAPI installation world, stop the iisadmin service first, then run the installer for a Port80 tool. Of course, you need to be an Administrator to install the software, and it would be smart to stop any custom scripts or systems that automatically restart IIS when stopped during an installation. This will guarantee a better ISAPI installation outcome and software performance in the end.
When we get to IIS 7 on Longhorn/Vista/etc. and HTTP modules are in wide use as a replacement for ISAPI, none of this will be an issue, we hope (but don’t hold your breath, as this OS/Web server won’t be released by Microsoft until at least late 2006/2007).
We hope this perspective on installation helps to make your evaluation and deployment process smoother for any ISAPI filter.
Best,
Port80 Software Support