Need help setting up webserver

[Cybordolphin]

I am setting up a webserver. I have apache 2.0 on Winxp home. Using DirectUpdate to notify my DNS service (Zoneedit) of my dynamic IP address as needed.

My domain host has been notified of the correct nameservers (zoneedit).

All looks fine.

BUT... I can not access my website from my server. Not sure if an outside computer can access either, but don't want to disconnect and reconnect to a dial up.

SO I have a few questions.

What should my "preferred DNS server" IP address be on my webserver computer? Under the TCP settings. Should the preferred DNS server IP addresses be Zoneedits? Or should they be whatever my service provider states them to be? I got lost here.

I can access my website entering the IP address for my webserver. I can access my website entering the usual localhost, etc.. I just can not access the website entering in the domain name.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Cybordolphin
I am setting up a webserver. I have apache 2.0 on Winxp home. Using DirectUpdate to notify my DNS service (Zoneedit) of my dynamic IP address as needed.

My domain host has been notified of the correct nameservers (zoneedit).

All looks fine.

BUT... I can not access my website from my server. Not sure if an outside computer can access either, but don't want to disconnect and reconnect to a dial up.

SO I have a few questions.

What should my "preferred DNS server" IP address be on my webserver computer? Under the TCP settings. Should the preferred DNS server IP addresses be Zoneedits? Or should they be whatever my service provider states them to be? I got lost here.

I can access my website entering the IP address for my webserver. I can access my website entering the usual localhost, etc.. I just can not access the website entering in the domain name.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Leave the DNS settings alone on the server, they don't matter for this.

Are you behind a router or something? Going from one machine, out to the net, and back in might be an issue. Give someone outside of your network the name/ip to try and connect to the webserver. Make sure the correct port is forwarded on the router, if you're using one.

If you want, you may be able to edit the hosts file on your desktop machine. You can add the hostname you have for the webserver and the internal ip address to make that easier.

HTH.

 

[Cybordolphin]

Thanks for the response.

I need to enter something into the preferred DNS server boxes. Can I just use my router IP. Yes I am using a router. The correct ports are forwarded... at least from what I can tell.

Not sure what you mean about editing the hosts file on my machine...?

Also not sure what you mean add the hostname.... add it to what?

Sorry to sound so lame.... but bear with me.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Cybordolphin
Thanks for the response.

No problem. Today is one of my rare "nice days."

I need to enter something into the preferred DNS server boxes. Can I just use my router IP. Yes I am using a router. The correct ports are forwarded... at least from what I can tell.

For the DNS, use the DNS ip address your router gives you. On a machine using DHCP, open a command prompt (start -> run -> cmd), and type ipconfig /all The DNS servers listed there are what you should enter into the webserver machine.

Not sure what you mean about editing the hosts file on my machine...?

Also not sure what you mean add the hostname.... add it to what?

Both of these deal with the same thing. I'm not sure I understood your original post. Are you sitting on another machine and trying to get to your site by typing the domain name?

If so, there might be issues with this. I wish I could explain it, but I can't (I don't really understand it well enough to explain simply). Essentially, with some setups your desktop will not be able to reach your webserver by using the domain name.

There is a file called hosts on just about every system that bypasses DNS. If you enter the domain name and internal ip address of your webserver in that file, it might help. But this shouldn't be a concern if I misunderstood the original problem.

Sorry to sound so lame.... but bear with me.

Tech support is one of the few forums I don't post in when I don't think I can be nice and patient.

 

[Cybordolphin]

I am trying to reach my website from the webserver machine.

I can reach the website entering in the WAN IP address. But just can't seem to reach it typing in the domain name.

I just changed the DNS service so that I am webforwarding instead of creating a zone there. That will not work either....?

 

[eydolic]

The external link goes to your external IP. When you try to access it from behind your router, it cannot find your system because the broadcast does not intercept your internal IP on the network. Deal with it unless you're up for manually editing the Apache config files.

 

[Cybordolphin]

Hmmmmmm makes sense Eydolic.

I don't mind editing my Apache config files. How would I do that?

I was wondering if the host for my domain name is just VERY slow in making the changes effective. It has been a few days though..... so I would think the DNS changes would be working by now.

But... if what you say is the case.... I defenitely want to edit Apache. I want to be able to view the website from my LAN using the domain name (so I know first hand if there is an access issue).

Thanks again

 

[eydolic]

It has been a long time since I've done this, so I had to look it up. Go to %system root%/%system directory%/system32/drivers/etc/hosts (the file has no file extention) and then edit it according to the sample text at the top.

Something like:
192.168.x.x address you type, or external ip address:80