WinISP Overview
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The WinISP platform moved to Adhost Internet in early 2009. Adhost continues to provide a live hosting environment for dogfooding key Microsoft technologies in order to provide critical feedback to development teams. In addition to supporting you, the Adhost team is a resource to the teams at Microsoft for feedback on usage and implementation of the various bits. The initial server migration was completed on 3/2/2009 at 8am PST.
Adhost Support can provide new web sites and databases for Microsoft employees upon request. These web sites are not for personal use or commercial web sites. To request a new web site, please submit a request with your needs using the WinISP account request form. For web sites, supply your domain name if you have one or one will be assigned. For details on FTP, DNS and other hosting subjects, review the links below. For more information on the Win-ISP services offering, please Click Here.
All historic and new WinISP account owners have the opportunity to continue using free Web Hosting Services or to upgrade (for a fee) to a premium account through Adhost.
For those of you who have migrated to us, we trust the experience was favorable and we look forward to working with you and the Microsoft Web Platform over the coming years. Adhost provides email-based support (winisp-support@adhost.com) directly to you for any issues you may have with the web hosting service. Adhost is now the the primary contact for maintaining the servers and services as well as adding or deleting sites and other changes to the accounts. Our team has a proven track-record in this field and we hope you will be pleased with the service we are able to provide.
Adhost continues to host and support the platforms migrated to Adhost Internet in 2009; however, the following services are not be offered through Adhost:
- Windows SharePoint Services
- Hosted Exchange Email Services
- Windows Media Services
- Front Page Extensions
Frequently Asked Questions:
Connecting with WinISP
I see my site, but how do I access it?
Hosting and Migration
What level of service/package is being given for the free WinISP accounts?
What if I need to recover data that wasn't included in the move?
What are the current free WinISP hosting offerings?
Does Adhost offer hosting, dedicated servers and colocation with an uptime guarantee?
What is Adhost's Support Service Level for WinISP?
Updating your site
How do I FTP to my WinISP site?
Does WinISP support SSL over FTP?
How do I backup my SQL database?
How do I connect to my MS SQL2005 database?
IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration Setup
SQL Setup within the IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration
How do I submit my IP address so that I can access my database?
What is the new IP address of the web sites after the migration?
How do I modify DNS for my domain name?
I will host my own sites but need Adhost to run DNS for my domains. Is that supported?
DNS
How can I create email aliases using my domain name and POP email addresses?
How do I redirect my current winisp.net email accounts to another email address?
I see my site, but how do I access it?
Your existing web site is accessible via FTP and IIS7 Manager using your credentials in the following formats:
For FTP
FTP server: ftp.winisp.net
Username: [logon name] (winisp\[logon name] for IIS Manager)
Password: [existing]
For IIS7 Manager and SQL Extension, please Click Here.
How do I reset my password?
For Password reset, please make a request to winisp-support@Adhost.com. Supply your Login name if you know it.
How do I set-up a web site
To obtain a new site on WinISP, please fill out the WinISP account request form using you Microsoft email account. Supply your domain name if you have one. If not, one will be assigned.
How do I set-up a database?
To obtain a MS SQL 2005 database on WinISP, please make a request to winisp-support@Adhost.com. Database name, Usernames and Passwords are each assigned.
How do I backup my SQL database?
You may request a database backup by request to winisp-support@Adhost.com from your Microsoft E-Mail account. A current backup (.BAK) will be made and a copy will be placed in your web site root folder. NOTE: Database restoration services are not available.
How do I submit my IP address so that I can access my database?
You can submit your IP address using our IP address form.
What is the new IP address of the web sites after the migration?
ns1.winisp.net -> 67.212.140.4
ns2.winisp.net -> 67.212.140.5
Global Web Address -> 67.212.140.6
How do I FTP to my WinISP site?
In the past, you used to use your personal domain name to FTP into your site. Now, all you have to do is use an FTP client and connect to ftp.winisp.net with your credentials.
Does WinISP support SSL over FTP?
Yes. You may use an FTP client software program that supports FTP over implicit TLS/SSL. For example, if using FileZilla Client 3.1.0.1 you can create an SSL connection over FTP by choosing the Server Type setting in FileZilla to “FTPS – FTP over implicit TLS/SSL”.
FTP server is: ftp.winisp.net or 67.212.140.6
Upon connecting to this ftp server over SSL you’ll be asked to accept a certificate from the ftp server and its Common Name is p-wb-arr.winisp.net. You can safely accept and trust this SSL certificate.
You can download FileZilla for free at http://filezilla-project.org.
How do I manage my Web site?
You may use the IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration available from Microsoft for download: http://www.iis.net
Details on the setup procedure are below.
How do I connect to my MS SQL2005 database?
Method #1
You may use the IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration available from Microsoft for download: http://www.iis.net. During the setup of the IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration you’ll be asked to install the Database Manager among other components. Once installed the database connection can be configured to connect to your database. Details on the setup procedure are below.
Method #2
Use SQL 2005 Management Studio and have your IP address allowed through our firewall for direct SQL server access over port 1433. Use this form to submit your IP address: http://www.adhost.com/winisp/ip-form
NOTE: There have been problems reported by users that SQL2008 Management Studio may not display your SQL2005 database correctly. We recommend using SQL2005 Management Studio for best results.
IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration Setup:
If you are running Vista SP1 then you must install the IIS Management Console first: (Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Windows Features > Internet Information Service > Web Management Tools > IIS Management Console). Then install IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration after IIS Management Console is installed.
If you are running XP SP2 or 3, there is a download you can get from IIS.net: http://www.iis.net
Once installed you can launch InetMgr.exe and click on "Connect to a Site"
Specify Site Connection Details: For the Server name enter in: sitemanagement.winisp.net:443
In the Site name: Enter your domain or <name>.members.winisp.net (for example testuser40.members.winisp.net)
Click Next
Provide credentials:
The Username will need to be entered in the form of WinISP\username
Password: xxxxxx
You will get a SSL warning, please disregard this error. The server name is p-wb-ftp-02 and that is what the Common Name of the cert will be. You can safely trust this cert.
Click Connect: Connection Name can be changed to friendly name
Click Finish.
Add new features:
You will most likely get a pop-up stating that several New Features are available. (These are features that have been installed on the server but are not on the client). Check the boxes and click OK. Confirm this as many times as Vista requires.
SQL Setup within the IIS7 Manager for Remote Administration:
In the application area, double click on Database Manager.
Click the button for create a new connection at the top.
Connection Name: <enter a connection name>
Server: <see note below>
Database: <your database name>
Username: <your SQL database user>
Password: <SQL password for database user>
NOTE: If your database is on winisp-sql12 specify SQL2. If your database is on the server winisp-sql21 specify SQL3 as your server.
Click OK
If everything is going correctly, you should be able to double click on the Test Connect icon and add/remove tables, update schema, etc.
How can I create email aliases using my domain name and POP email addresses?
If you are a WinISP user with valid credentials, you can create email aliases using your domain name using the WinISP Client Login. If you desire a POP3 email account on Adhost Internet's mail server (mail.adhost.com) there is a $1/month charge for each account. This includes IMAP, customized SPAM filtering and a web messaging interface.
1) Via any browser, navigate to http://winisp.adhost.com
2) If you have not visited this page before, select ‘First Time?’ next to the Domain Name (URL):
3) You will be prompted for 3 pieces of information:
- Domain Name - the domain name of your site without the ‘http://www’
- Microsoft E-mail - the complete email address you used when originally creating your WinISP account.
- WinISP User - the username you use to access your WinISP Site without the ‘winisp/’
4) You will receive an email confirmation message with a link to follow back to the site, along with appropriate credentials for accessing your information.
5) Once you have logged in successfully you can create email aliases and POP accounts via the Client Login, using the instructions provided on the page.
If you have any problems during the process, email winisp-support@adhost.com.
How do I redirect my current winisp.net email accounts to another email address?
Adhost will provide unlimited email alias forwarding free of charge. This means that you may specify that your current winisp.net email account gets forwarded to your Microsoft Corp Net or other email account such, as Hotmail or MSN.
1) Via any browser, navigate to http://winisp.adhost.com
2) If you have not visited this page before, select ‘First Time?’ next to the Domain Name (URL):
3) You will be prompted for 3 pieces of information:
- Domain Name - the domain name of your site without the ‘http://www’
- Microsoft E-mail - the complete email address you used when originally creating your WinISP account.
- WinISP User - the username you use to access your WinISP Site without the ‘winisp/’
4) You will receive an email confirmation message with a link to follow back to the site, along with appropriate credentials for accessing your information.
5) Once you have logged in successfully you can redirect your alias to other email accounts using the instructions provided on the page.
If you have any problems during the process, email winisp-support@adhost.com.
How do I modify DNS for my domain name?
Existing WinISP customers are able to modify DNS through their WinISP Client Login account.
Note: if you have a winisp.net domain name, such as myname.members.winisp.net, you will not be able to modify those records via the method below. Instead, send a request to winisp-support@adhost.com with the modifications you need and we will do them on your behalf.
1) Via any browser, navigate to http://winisp.adhost.com
2) If you have not visited this page before, select ‘First Time?’ next to the Domain Name (URL):
3) You will be prompted for 3 pieces of information:
- Domain Name - the domain name of your site without the ‘http://www’
- Microsoft E-mail - the complete email address you used when originally creating your WinISP account.
- WinISP User - the username you use to access your WinISP Site without the ‘winisp/’
4) You will receive an email confirmation message with a link to follow back to the site, along with appropriate credentials for accessing your information.
5) Once you have logged in successfully you can modify your DNS record via the Client Login using the instructions provided on the page.
If you have any problems during the process, email winisp-support@adhost.com.
I will host my own sites but need Adhost to run DNS for my domains. Is that supported?
No, if you are an existing WinISP customer and will not be hosting your sites with WinISP after the migration then you will be removed from the WinISP platform. You will need to modify the name server settings for your domain at your registrar and follow the instructions provided by your new hosting provider.
How do I add a SRV record?
We had to re-architect our DNS system to support SRV records. This is now complete and the SRV records have been added to the below mentioned domains. You can view/edit these settings in the control panel https://winisp.adhost.com. Updates via this interface can take up to 5 minutes to be pushed to the name servers.
How do I contact Adhost support?
Email winisp-support@adhost.com
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