Running a server, can't access it via inet from the network... help!

[tarez]

Ok here is the situation, I recently set up a server running win2k adv server. I am running a dsl connection though an SMC barricade 4 port switch using it as a vitural server and routing the traffic one of the server via local IP address. The other three computers on my network are each hooked up via one of the other 3 ports.
My server (http) had been running perfectly allowing access to the public as well as myself via the inet (public IP) however now I can no longer access my web pages from my network computers. I can still access the pages by entering the network IP # however any content linked to via pub IP won't show up (i.e. images http://204.71.255.255/image.gif). To make this situation more frustrating I can still ping my server without problems and every other person I have talked to can get on my server and pages without problems. I can access my server from a dialup connection as well.

So it appears that it has to do with either my dsl line (?), a setting on the router, or maybe something to do with the computers on my network.

Does anyone have any clue to what would cause this or better yet a fix? Thanks alot.

 

[Scarpozzi]

This is a common problem....the requests are going through your router and coming right back to it...so it's shutting down the requests (like the router detects the loop as a security feature). I doubt it can be turned off...but you have other options. With your 2000 Advanced Server you can run the WINS service and configure all your computers to run WINS over DNS. Then you can tell all of the systems who's who on your local network rather than having it go through the router.

Another option is to setup your LMHosts file on your NT/2000 servers. This won't work with 98 I don't think. I would think WINS would be your best bet. Just do a little reading and I'm sure you'll get it. Good luck!

 

[tarez]

Thanks for the suggestion, being a huge newb at servers etc I will definately have to whip out the 2k server books I have etc.

Anyone have any clue why it would work perfectly for abotu 4 days prior to this happening?

 

[blstriker]

It seems as if your router lookback has been busted somehow. Loopback allows you to access your local computer using the wan ip or domain name. However, it used to be working? Did you do something to the firmware of the router or something? Wierd.

 

[tarez]

I didn't change anything what so ever which makes it even stupider. However I did read that my router (SMC 7004ABR) doesn't have the loop back function at all. Odd thing is if that was the case then why was working prior? I just happened to register a domain name earlier tonight as well. I was hoping that would be a work around, but I guess I am incorrect? Maybe my only choice will be to sell the router or something....

 

[blstriker]

So you were able to use loopback before? Wow. Getting a domain name is the same thing as accessing your website by the wap ip address, so that shouldn't help.

I would check with smc and look for firmware updates. Almost all routers these days have loopback function. It might have been broken in different versions of the firmware.

Good luck!

 

[tarez]

Upgraded to the newest firmware, no luck whatsoever. I don't know what to do with this damn thing now. Being I got it form my wholesaler I can't return it. Maybe would try to resell it to someone but I don't see getting my money back on it. Hmm maybe if I complain to SMC enough they would give me a refund, but the again with their tech support that makes you sit for about 1 hour per call I doubt I can trust them enough to refund me anything.

The first call to the tech support had no clue, the 2nd one basically told me I was right about the lack of a loopback feature and had no clue to why it worked prior.