[This is preliminary documentation and subject to change]

# Naming Web Sites

Each Web site (virtual server) has a descriptive name and can support one or more host header names. Host header names make it possible to host multiple domain names on one computer. Not all browsers support the use of host header names. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, Netscape Navigator 2.0, and later versions of both browsers support the use of host header names; earlier versions of the two browsers do not.

If a visitor attempts to contact to your site with an older browser that does not support host headers, the visitor is directed to the default Web site assigned to that IP address (if a default site is enabled), which may not necessarily be the site requested. Also, if a request from any browser is received for a site that is currently stopped, the visitor receives the default Web site instead. For this reason, carefully consider what the default Web site displays. Typically, ISPs display their own home page as the default, and not one of their customers' Web sites. This prevents requests for a stopped site from reaching the wrong site. Additionally, the default site can include a script that supports the use of host header names for older browsers.

###### To name a Web site

1. In the IIS snap-in, select the Web site, and open its property sheets.
2. On the Web Site property sheet, type a descriptive name for the site in the Description text box.

###### To assign a host header name

1. Ask your system administrator to add the new site name mapping for your static IP address to your name resolution system (typically DNS).
2. On the Web Site property sheet, click the Advanced button.
3. On the Advanced Multiple Web Site Configuration property sheet, click the Add button to assign a host header name, IP address, and port for a Web site.

   Note Host headers do not function when you use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) because host headers are included in the encrypted client request. However, you can have multiple server certificates, multiple IP addresses, and multiple SSL ports per server.

Related Topics

- For more information on the use of host header names, see Hosting Multiple Sites by Assigning Ports, Addresses, and Host Header Names in About Name Resolution.
- For the procedure to add a host header support script to the default site, see Supporting Host Header Names in Older Browsers.
- For instructions on how to add new sites, see Adding Sites.

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