"Connection to the server cannot be established" error message when you try to create an ASP.NET Web application by using Visual Studio .NET

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to create a Microsoft ASP.NET Web application by using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET on a computer that has a firewall application installed, you may receive the following error message:

Connection to the server cannot be established.

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CAUSE

The firewall application is incorrectly configured to work with Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS).

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, configure your firewall application to work with IIS, if it is possible. If you cannot reconfigure your firewall application, remove your firewall application.

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STATUS

This behavior is by design.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the behavior

On a computer that has a firewall application installed, follow these steps:

Start Visual Studio .NET.
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Project. The New Project dialog box appears.
Under Project Types, click Visual Basic Projects.
Under Templates, click ASP.NET Web Application.
In the Location box, type http://WebServerName/VirtualDirectoryName/MyWebApplication

Note Replace WebServerName with the name of a Web server, and then replace VirtualDirectoryName with the name of a virtual directory on this Web server.
Click Open. You may receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

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REFERENCES

For more information, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web sites:

Introduction to ASP.NET Web Applications in Visual Studio
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa711425(vs.71).aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa711425(vs.71).aspx)

Internet Information Services
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa286507.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa286507.aspx)

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