Running Web Interface Under an Existing IIS Site

By default, SmarterMail will install a basic web server that allows you to start using SmarterMail immediately after installation. However, it is recommended that you move SmarterMail to a more robust and secure web server, such as Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS). To configure SmarterMail to run under an existing web site in IIS 5.0 or higher, follow the step-by-step instructions below. To configure IIS7 for Windows 2008, please see the end of this page.

This section explains how to setup SmarterMail as a virtual directory under an existing IIS site. This is not the recommended method. While it will function properly, it is recommended that you set SmarterMail up as its own IIS site instead. To learn how to set SmarterMail up on its own IIS site, click here.

Note: This topic assumes that you are familiar with IIS and how it works. SmarterTools recommends that you use the web server included with SmarterMail if you do not feel comfortable using IIS.

Note: Several steps that were necessary under SmarterMail 1.x are no longer necessary, and thus have been removed from this topic.

Disable the SmarterMail Web Server

While not absolutely necessary, this step will improve security on your server. As a result, while not mandatory, this step is highly encouraged.

These steps will stop and disable the Web Server included with SmarterMail. They will also have the side-effect of disabling the shortcut to SmarterMail on your desktop until you update it with the new URL for SmarterMail.

Click on Start -> Program Files -> SmarterTools -> SmarterMail -> Configure SmarterMail Web Server

Click on the Stop button

Change the Startup Mode to Disabled and click on the Apply button

Click on the Close button

Add SmarterMail to an IIS Site

Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services (IIS)

Open up the Web Sites tree and locate the site under which you want to place SmarterMail

Right-click on the web site and choose New -> Virtual Directory

When asked for an Alias, enter "SmarterMail", "Mail", or another name. This will be used in the URL to get to webmail, as in http://www.example.com/smartermail.

For Path, use "C:\Program Files\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\MRS" (or use the location in which you installed SmarterMail).

When asked what permissions to grant, choose only Read and Run Scripts.

Finish the wizard

Open the web site tree for the new IIS site and right click on the mail processing directory. Choose Properties from the pull-down menu.

In the Execute Permissions dropdown box, choose "None"

Click on OK to save the settings

Verify IIS Settings

If you are using Windows 2003, verify that the ASP.NET v2.0.50727 Web Service Extension is set to Allowed in IIS. If you do not see ASP.NET under Web Service Extensions, ensure that ASP.NET is enabled in the Application Server. (Control Panel -> Add / Remove Programs -> Windows Components -> Application Server -> Details)

Ensure that the default document for the site is Default.aspx (under the Documents tab)

Update DNS

If any domains are already setup with SmarterMail, make sure to update their webmail DNS records to point to the new site.

Test the Site

Open up a web browser, and type in the URL of the virtual directory (ex. http://www.example.com/virtualdirectory).

Configure Virtual Directory in IIS7 in Windows 2008

Disable the SmarterMail Web Server

Click on Start -> Program Files -> SmarterTools -> SmarterMail -> Configure SmarterMail Web Server

Click on the Stop button

Change the Startup Mode to Disabled and click on the Apply button

Click on the Close button

Add an Application Pool

Click on Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Service (IIS) Manager

Right click on Application Pools and choose "Add Application Pool"

Name the pool SmarterMail (or something equivalent)

Set Managed Pipeline Mode to "Classic" and click OK

Add SmarterMail to IIS Virtual Directory

Click on Start -> Control Panel ->Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Service (IIS) Manager

Select ServerName -> Open ISAPI and CGI Restrictions and verify that ASP.NET v2.0 is allowed. (If it is not, right click on ASP.NET v2.0 and select Allowed.)

Right click on a Web site and choose Add Virtual Directory

When asked for an Alias, enter "SmarterMail" or something simmilar. (This will be used in the URL to get to WebMail, as in www.example.com/smartermail)

For the physical path, browse to the SmarterMail\MRS folder. Default location: C:\Program Files\SmarterTools\SmarterMail\MRS

Click OK

Right click on the Alias "SmarterMail" (or whatever name you gave to your Application Pool) and select Convert to Application

Click on Select to change the Application Pool to the SmarterMail Pool

Click OK, and then OK