An Introduction to the IIS Metabase

ID: Q240941

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Information Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

The metabase is a structure for storing Internet Information Server (IIS) configuration settings. It performs some of the same functions as the Windows system registry but is specific to Internet Information Server version 4.0. New keys and values have been added for finer and more flexible control of IIS.

When a system is upgraded from IIS 3.0 or earlier to IIS 4.0, the configuration parameters that were previously set in the registry are migrated to the metabase. When IIS starts, it loads the metabase into memory, where it is available until IIS shuts down. The metabase is stored in a special format file by default named Metabase.bin in the Inetsrv folder in which IIS is normally installed.

Like the registry, the metabase is organized in a hierarchical structure that mirrors the structure of your IIS installation. It is made up of nodes, keys, and subkeys. The main organization is by node, with each node in the metabase structure representing a site or directory. Beneath the nodes are keys that may contain one or more IIS configuration values called metabase properties. The metabase keys correspond to individual configuration elements of IIS; each key contains properties that affect the configuration of its associated directory or site.

The structure of the metabase facilitates different settings of a property for different nodes. For example, the MaxBandwidth property setting can be different for each virtual site. However, metabase properties are inherited. This means that those parameters that are configured at higher levels, such as the Web site level, will affect the lower levels. But if you set a specific property for an individual site, virtual site, or virtual directory, changes made at a higher level will not automatically override the lower-level individual setting. Note that when the metabase is searched for configuration information, it is enumerated from the bottom, or subkey, to top, or node.

Many of the metabase parameters can be configured from the Internet Service Manager snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Additional tools are also available for further tuning of the metabase.

Caution

Configuring properties in the metabase incorrectly can cause problems, including the failure of a Web site or FTP site. If you make mistakes, your Web site or FTP site's configuration could be damaged. You should edit metabase properties only for settings that you cannot adjust in the user interface. Be very careful whenever you edit the metabase directly.

There are two main ways to edit the metabase:

IIS Administration Script Utility (Adsutil): Adsutil.vbs is a Visual Basic Script utility that uses Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) to manipulate the configuration of IIS. Run this script using CScript, which is installed with the Windows Scripting Host as part of the Windows NT Option Pack. Cscript.exe is installed to %system root%/System32. Adsutil.vbs is installed to %system root$/System32/Inetsrv/Adminsamples.

Mdutil.exe: This utility is available on the Option Pack CD-ROM. It can be utilized from: \Ntoppak\En\X86\Winnt.srv\Mdutil.exe.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on the structure of the metabase, please consult the IIS 4.0 product documentation.

For additional information on manipulating the metabase, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q193152 Preserving Virtual Directories and Servers During Uninstall

Q229814 Configuring IIS to Handle Heavy Usage

Q234429 How to Manually Restore the Metabase When No Proper Backup Exists or the MMC Won't Start

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbDSupport kbiis400
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbhowto