A WCF service can be hosted using various hosting options available. This is the important aspect of WCF as there are multiple hosting options available to host any WCF service. A developer is not bound to choose any particular hosting option or component. Following hosting options are available in WCF:
Internet Information Services (IIS)
Windows Service Hosting
Windows Activation Service (WAS)
Self-hosting using console application
Self-hosting using windows form application
In the absence of IIS, a developer can use any of the self-hosting options also to host the service. This is the major advantage of WCF which distinguishes it from other technology. In following section, each of these options is explored with great details.