Configuring Out-of-Process Session State

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

Out-of-process session state mode preserves session state data by running outside the worker processes where ASP.NET applications are running. Use one of the following configurations to maintain out-of-process session state:

  • A state server, which depends on the Windows state service, Aspnet_state.exe, to store session state data

  • A SQL Server database

Out-of-process session state requires a machine key to verify session state across the connection to the state server or the SQL server.

Prerequisites

For information about the levels at which you can perform these procedures, and the modules, handlers, and permissions that are required for these procedures, see Session State Feature Requirements (IIS 7).

Procedures

This task includes the following procedures:

Configure a State Server to Maintain Session State (IIS 7)

Configure a SQL Server to Maintain Session State (IIS 7)