C# Server Setup – Hosting and Running C# Applications

Introduction – Why C# Server Setup Matters

Hosting C# applications on a server allows you to expose APIs, serve web pages, or deploy services to users across the web. Whether you’re building with ASP.NET Core, hosting a microservice, or deploying to the cloud, a proper server setup is crucial for performance, scalability, and maintainability.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to run C# web apps on a local or cloud server
• Key server options: Kestrel, IIS, and Nginx
• Hosting C# apps on Windows and Linux
• Deployment options (Self-contained vs Framework-dependent)

Common Server Options for C# Applications

Setup Steps – Hosting C# on a Local Server

1. Build Your App

dotnet publish -c Release -o ./publish

• -c Release: Compiles the app in release mode.
• -o ./publish: Outputs build to a publish folder.

2. Run with Kestrel (built-in server)

dotnet ./publish/YourApp.dll

Your app starts on a default port (e.g., http://localhost:5000).

Hosting on IIS (Windows Server)

Prerequisites:

• Windows Server
• IIS enabled with ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle

Download Hosting Bundle

Configuration:

1. Install the .NET Hosting Bundle on the server.
2. Set up an IIS website pointing to your published folder.
3. Add a reverse proxy from IIS to dotnet.exe (managed by the bundle).

Best Practice: Use IIS as a reverse proxy to host ASP.NET Core apps behind the more robust IIS infrastructure.

Hosting C# on Linux with Nginx

Prerequisites:

• Linux distro (Ubuntu, CentOS, etc.)
• .NET SDK or runtime
• Nginx installed

Steps:

1. Publish your app: dotnet publish -c Release
2. Run it using Kestrel: dotnet YourApp.dll
3. Configure Nginx as a reverse proxy: server { listen 80; server_name example.com; location / { proxy_pass http://localhost:5000; proxy_http_version 1.1; proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade; proxy_set_header Connection keep-alive; proxy_set_header Host $host; proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade; } }

Restart Nginx:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Deployment Types – Self-Contained vs Framework-Dependent

Tip: Use self-contained deployment for environments where .NET isn’t pre-installed.

Tips, Pitfalls & Best Practices

Best Practice: Use Kestrel behind a reverse proxy (IIS or Nginx) in production for security and performance.

Tip: Automate deployments with tools like GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, or Octopus Deploy.

Pitfall: Don’t expose Kestrel directly to the internet in production without a reverse proxy.

Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Setting up a server to host C# applications is crucial for deployment, testing, and production readiness. Whether you’re using IIS on Windows or Nginx on Linux, C# provides flexible hosting options across platforms.

Key Takeaways:

• Use dotnet publish to prepare your app for deployment
• Host locally with Kestrel or on servers using IIS/Nginx
• Use reverse proxies for production security
• Pick the right deployment model based on target infrastructure

Next, explore how to structure code and organize namespaces: C# Syntax and Basic Constructs

FAQ – C# Server Setup

What is Kestrel in C#?
Kestrel is a lightweight, cross-platform web server included with ASP.NET Core apps. It’s ideal for development and production when used with a reverse proxy.

Can I host C# apps on Linux?
Yes. You can host .NET Core or .NET 6/7/8 apps on Linux using Kestrel and Nginx.

How do I deploy a C# app to a live server?
Publish your app using dotnet publish, move the files to your server, and run the app using dotnet YourApp.dll. Use a reverse proxy like IIS or Nginx in production.

Is IIS required to run ASP.NET Core apps?
No. You can run apps with Kestrel alone, but using IIS improves reliability and scalability on Windows.

What’s the difference between self-contained and framework-dependent deployment?
Self-contained apps bundle the .NET runtime; framework-dependent apps use the system-installed runtime, making them smaller but dependent on the host.