DRAFT KB-XXXX Navigating to Appian site displays directories instead of homepage when using IIS as a web server

Symptoms

The Appian user interface does not render as expected when accessing the site using IIS as the web server. Instead, end users see the list of directories normally found in <APPIAN_HOME>/ear/suite.ear. This behavior is depicted in the screenshot below:

Cause

The error is caused because of one of the following:

1. There is an issue with the downloaded isapi_redirect.dll version/file documented in this step. 
2. There is an issue with the IIS configuration.

Action

One or more of the following steps will help to resolve this issue:

1. Install a different 32-bit or 64-bit version of the isapi_redirect.dll file in the Redirector/isapi directory as suggested here. 
2. For 64-bit version of isapi_redirect.dll follow this step:
   • In IIS Manager, select DefaultAppPool. In the Actions list, under Edit Application Pool, select Advanced Settings. In the General group, select Enable 32-Bit Applications and select False, then click OK. In short, make sure the isapi_redirect.dll file type matches the bits.  
3. For 32-bit version of isapi_redirect.dll follow this step:
   • In IIS Manager, select DefaultAppPool. In the Actions list, under Edit Application Pool, select Advanced Settings. In the General group, select Enable 32-Bit Applications and select True, then click OK. In short, make sure the isapi_redirect.dll file type matches the bits.  
4. In isapi_redirect.properties file set the 'log_file' path to Redirector\log\isapi_redirect.log rather than <APPIAN_HOME>\Redirector\log\isap_redirect.log. 

Affected Versions

This article applies to all versions of Appian using IIS as the web server.

Last Reviewed: September 2018