dns problems?

can't find domain name

[mrfrantz]

I have apache 2 installed on xp home. I have my domain and dns served by godaddy . The server works fine locally and if I type in my ip address it works. But for the life of me I can't get the server work with my domain name. I have my router allowing port 80 for http and the firewall software is configured properly since the ip works fine. I have tried many changes in the config for apache, but nothing yet
Any help would be great!
Ron

[jdMorgan]

You'll need to define the 'DNS' for you local machine in your 'hosts' file as well. Search your machine for the file named 'hosts' (no extension) and then add a definition for your domain name. It should be in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc on WinXP.

By way of explanation, the browser cannot create a connection to the internet *and* back from the internet to the same machine. I.E. the PC cannot act as both a client and a server for the *same* connection. For this reason, you have to provide for an internal connection.

In the hosts file, you'll probably find:

127.0.0.1 localhost

So add:

127.0.0.1 yourdomain.com
127.0.0.1 www.yourdomain.com

etc.

You may need to restart your browser or PC for this to take effect.

Jim

[mrfrantz]

That fixed the problem locally, but it still won't work via the internet?

[jdMorgan]

Please be detailed.

I assume you have asked someone outside your local network to test it?

Have you checked with your ISP to be sure that they allow servers on your end? Many don't, and some will disconnect you if you try to run an unauthorized server. Others block TCP/IP port 80 as well. They do this because most home or office ISP networks are optimized for little upstream data (click a link) and a lot of downstream data (get a whole page). A server presents the exact opposite bandwidth profile, and can seriously affect their customer's experience.

Jim

[mrfrantz]

yes the site will not work outside of the local network. Outside the network I can get my web site if I use the ip address. but when I try the domain name it wont work. That tells me that port 80 is working fine.

[jdMorgan]

OK, then the two factors that can affect this are the DNS zone file and your server configuration. Also, DNS changes can take a few days to propagate, and more if the DNS server your browser accesses through your ISP when making a request is not updated properly.

Jim

[mrfrantz]

Godaddy has my domain and the domain name servers, I set up the dns there on Wednesday afternoon, I have called them and confirmed that is was setup properly. which they confirmed? Thanks for the help

[jdMorgan]

Well, that means that either your ISP has not yet updated their DNS servers, or your new domains are not defined correctly in your server configuration (httpd.conf).

Jim