WCF support multiple ways in which you can host your WCF service.
Hosting Environment Supported protocol
IIS6 http, wshttps
IIS7 – WAS (Windows Process Activation Service) http,net.tcp,net.pipe,net.msmq
Windows console and form application http,net.tcp,net.pipe,net.msmq
Windows service application (formerly known as NT services) http,net.tcp,net.pipe,net.msmq
Below is the feature summary of hosting environments:
| Feature | Self-Hosting | IIS Hosting | WAS Hosting |
| Executable Process/ App Domain | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Configuration | App.config | Web.config | Web.config |
| Activation | Manual at startup | Message-based | Message-based |
| Idle-Time Management | No | Yes | Yes |
| Health Monitoring | No | Yes | Yes |
| Process Recycling | No | Yes | Yes |
| Management Tools | No | Yes | Yes |