Microsoft ASP.Net Setup and Configuration Pocket Reference

Summary

The practical, portable guide to ASP.NET setup and configuration

Here’s the utterly practical, pocket-sized reference for developers creating dynamic, high-performance Web applications with ASP.NET. This unique book provides essential details for working with the ASP.NET configuration infrastructure, including editing and using web.config files, the architecture of asp.net.config files, configuration sections, settings and values for all System.Web sections, mobile controls configuration settings, and adding custom sections and settings. Featuring quick-reference tables and lists, step-by-step instructions, and walk-through examples, this handy, one-stop guide provides fast, accurate answers on the spot.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction	xv
PART I OVERVIEW OF MICROSOFT ASP.NET CONFIGURATION
1   Introduction to the Microsoft ASP.NET Configuration	3
ASP.NET Configuration Overview	3
Dissecting the ASP.NET Configuration Files	4
Applying Configuration File Modifications	9
Looking at Security	10
Editing Configuration Files	10
Key Points	12
2   Examining the ASP.NET Configuration Architecture	13
Hierarchical Configuration Model	13
Targeting Configuration Settings	16
Preventing Configuration Settings from Being Overridden	17
Examining Configuration Section Handlers	17
Key Points	23
PART II ASP.NET CONFIGURATION SETTINGS
3   Configuration Section and Application Settings	27
Working with <configSections>	27
Declaring a Section	27
Declaring a Section Group	28
Removing a Section	29
Clearing All Sections	30
Working with <appSettings>	30
Adding a Value	30
Removing a Value	31
Clearing All Values	32
Using the File Attribute	32
Reading <appSettings> Values	33
Key Points	34
4   System.Web Configuration Settings35
Working with the <authentication> Section	36
Configuring the Authentication Mode	37
<authentication> Key Points	44
Working with the <authorization> Section	44
File Authorization	47
<authorization> Key Points	47
Working with the <browserCaps> Section	47
Understanding <browserCaps> Elements	48
<browserCaps> Key Points	52
Working with the <clientTarget> Section	52
Uplevel vs. Downlevel	53
Using Client Target in Your Pages	53
Adding and Removing Aliases	54
<clientTarget> Key Points	54
Working with the <compilation> Section	54
Adding Assemblies to Compilation	57
<compilation> Key Points	58
Working with the <customErrors> Section	58
Customizing HTTP Error Messages	60
<customErrors> Key Points	60
Working with the <globalization> Section	61
<globalization> Key Points	61
Working with the <httpHandlers> Section	62
Creating a Custom HTTP Handler	63
File Extension-Based Security	67
<httpHandlers> Key Points	67
Working with the <httpModules> Section	68
Adding a Module	68
Creating a Custom HTTP Module	68
<httpModules> Key Points	71
Working with the <httpRuntime> Section	72
<httpRuntime> Key Points	73
Working with the <identity> Section	73
<Identity> Key Points	75
Working with the <machineKey> Section	75
<machineKey> Key Points	77
Working with the <pages> Section	77
Enable or Disable View State?	78
To Mac or Not to Mac?	79
<pages> Key Points	79
Working with the <processModel> Section	79
Customizing the Server Unavailable Message	84
Running ASP.NET on a Domain Controller	84
Troubleshooting ASP.NET Deadlocks	85
<processModel> Key Points	85
Working with the <securityPolicy> Section	85
<securityPolicy> Key Points	86
Working with the <sessionState> Section	86
Configuring State Server	87
Configuring SQL State Server	88
<sessionState> Key Points	89
Working with the <trace> Section	89
<trace> Key Points	90
Working with the <trust> Section	90
<trust> Key Points	91
Working with the <webControls> Section	91
<webControls> Key Points	91
Working with the <webServices> Section	92
<protocols> Sub-Section	92
<serviceDescriptionFormatExtensionTypes> Sub-Section	93
SOAP Extensions Sub-Sections	93
<wsdlHelpGenerator> Section	94
<webServices> Key Points	95
5   Mobile Controls Configuration Settings	97
Working with the <mobileControls> Section	98
Working with the <deviceFilters> Section	102
Building a Comparative Filter	103
Building an Evaluator Filter	104
Using Filters with Mobile Controls	105
Updating the Mobile Controls Devices	106
Key Points	107
6   Microsoft .NET Configuration Settings	109
Examining the <system.diagnostics> Group	109
Working with the <trace> Section	110
Working with the <switches> Section	111
Working with the <assert> Section	113
<system.diagnostics> Key Points	114
Examining the <system.net> Group	114
Working with the <authenticationModules> Section	115
Working with the <connectionManagement> Section	116
Working with the <defaultProxy> Section	117
Working with the <settings> Section	119
Working with the <webRequestModules> Section	120
<system.net> Key Points	121
Examining the <system.runtime.remoting> Group	121
Working with the <application> Section	122
Working with the <channels> Section	128
Working with the <channelSinkProviders> Section	130
Working with the <debug> Section	131
<system.runtime.remoting> Key Points	132
Examining the <system.windows.forms> Group	132
Key Points	132
7   CLR Configuration Settings	133
Working with the <mscorlib> Section	133
Using the <cryptographySettings> Section	133
Working with the <runtime> Section	136
Using the <developmentMode> Element	136
Using the <assemblyBinding> Section	136
Working with the <startup> Section	141
Using the <requiredRuntime> Element	141
Using the <supportedRuntime> Element	142
Key Points	143
8   IIS Settings	145
Enabling ASP.NET Support	145
ASP.NET IIS Install Utility	147
Working with Application Pools	147
Managing Application Pools	148
Configuring Application Pools	148
Creating a New Application	154
Using Windows Authentication	155
Accessing the User Identity	156
Key Points	156
PART III   CREATING CUSTOM SETTINGS
9   Creating and Using Custom Sections	159
Examining the .NET Handlers	159
Creating a Custom Section with the Available Handlers	160
Creating a Section Using NameValueFileSectionHandler	160
Creating a Section Using DictionarySectionHandler	161
Creating a Section Using SingleTagSectionHandler	162
Nesting Configuration Sections	162
Creating a Custom Section with a Custom Section Handler	163
Examining the IConfigurationSectionHandler Interface	164
Creating a Simple Custom Section Handler	165
Creating a Complex Custom Section Handler	167
Key Points	175
PART IV   APPENDIX AND GLOSSARY
A   Appendix: Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration Tool	179
Managing the Global Assembly Cache	180
Viewing All the Assemblies in the GAC	180
Adding a New Assembly to the GAC	181
Configuring Assemblies	182
Configuring Remoting	185
Adjusting .NET Security Settings	186
Increasing an Assembly’s Trust	187
Adjust Zone Security	189
Evaluating an Assembly	189
Creating a Deployment Package	190
Resetting All Policy Levels	191
Configuring and Repairing .NET Applications	191
Configuring an Application	192
Fixing an Application	193
GLOSSARY	195
INDEX	199