How do I configure IIS 7.5 to allow using a network share as an image src?

Question

I have a web application that will be used internally that points to images on a network drive.

It works when I test it in VS, but the images don't load once published.

I'm sure it's a setting in IIS but I can't figure out what it is.

Each computer is already logged into the domain, and those who have access should be allowed to view the image.

I tried changing the authentication to impersonate, but no luck.

Answer 1

For a URL, you need to escape the slashes and specify a protocol (file:// in this case). Example:

    <img src="file://///server01\fshare\dir1\dir2\my_img.jpg" />

Please note that we ended up with 5 slashes after the protocol (file:)

Answer 2

Have you considered creating a mapped network drive on the local machine that IIS is on (i.e. \NetworkShare mapped to drive letter "X:") with appropriate permissions and then create a virtual directory under your web mapped to the new mapped drive (X:).

Answer 3

You'll need to enable Static Content serving. As stated in Microsoft - Deploying a Static Content Server (IIS 7) for this option:

Static Content
Allows the Web server to publish static Web file formats.

To do this:

1. Go to:
   Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off
   
   
2. Check Static Content under:
   Internet Information Services -> World Wide Web Services -> Common HTTP Features
   
   
   

Also, see the second answer to this related question.