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Compressing Data using IIS
I read the post at Xoops here and wondered, out of interest, how does one configure their IIS server to compress the data?
I don't really need it especially on our LAN, but I like to make stuff go as quick as it can regardless!
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IIS 6 is the only version of IIS with native HTTP compression built in, and it is VERY good. However, the user interface could be a LOT better and for this I would recommend something like ZipEnable from port80software. For other versions of IIS Port80Software also have an ISAPI compression tool call HttpZip which is very effective. Before I started using IIS 6 I used HttpZip on all my sites and got anywhere from between 50%~70% reduction in data transfer through compression, it really is that good.
I like it when I read things like 'it's built in' or 'it's automatic' because it means I don't have to spend 2 hours scratching my head!
If its auto I'll just leave it as it is. Out of interest, you name some other compression utils and their ratios of 50-70%, but you refer to IIS as being 'very good'. Is it much the same....50-70%? Can you give a ratio value? Just out of interest.
Thanks
Ted
The native http compression in IIS 6 might be very quick, but it doesn't exactly have a user friendly interface and isn't automatic. This is why I would still recommend something like ZipEnable for http compression with IIS 6, it really is a lot more than just a pretty face.
The compression in IIS 6 isn't better in terms of it being able to compress more, in that regard it is much the same. The place where IIS 6 compression gets the edge is because it is built into IIS and therefore very quick. Other compression utilities operate as ISAPI filters and operate on top of IIS which makes them slower under load conditions. IIS 6 compression does lack a few smarts though, such as browser checking. This means that it very may well send compressed data to a browser that is not equiped to decompress it. I suggest you have a look at the ZipEnable page for more details as well as compression calculator to see what potential savings there are for your site.
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