In order to host multiple domain names on a single IIS server, you can assign as many IP addresses to your server as you have Web sites to host. When you create each Web site, you assign it one of the IP addresses bound to your IIS server. Multiple Web sites can also have the same IP address and TCP port number by using a feature called host header names, which is explained later in this chapter. When you have multiple IP addresses assigned to an IIS server, each time you create a new virtual server, you must assign it an IP address. However, virtual servers offer even more features than virtual directories do.
Virtual servers are completely configurable.
Each virtual server behaves as if it is a separate IIS server, and all the configuration options for the default Web site are available for any other Web site. Virtual servers may be stopped, started, and paused just like a real IIS server. For example, you may want to stop a virtual server while updating it with new content or changing its access permissions. Virtual servers may be assigned separate Web site operators. Each department could have its own virtual server and assign users who can fully administer its site.