How to access website by domain name if website is located in the locale server

Started by James Fisher, Nov 30, 2022, 10:42 AM

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James FisherTopic starter

We have a web site that is hosted on a server in our local network and we are experiencing issues with the domain. Although everything works through a proxy, it does not work directly. I am wondering where to look for a solution.

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Our domain has been registered and we have set up a white IP through a firewall that redirects traffic to the local PC where the site is hosted. We also have a domain controller with a DNS server, but adding an entry there to direct inspection zones did not fix the issue. It seems that we still have some digging to do to resolve the problem.
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rabindra

"What do you mean by 'screwed'? Did you set up an A-record with a local IP address?"

Based on the problem description, it seems that you have set up port 80 to go from the router to the server and added an A-record with the router's external address. However, since the redirection is happening before NAT and is going to the local network, the NAT rule is not working properly. As a result, the server is receiving packets from the local machine but responding to an external IP instead of the local address of the server, leaving the local machine waiting for a response from the incorrect IP.

In addition to checking your NAT rule, it's also important to ensure that your A-records and DNS settings are properly configured. Double-checking your network topology and troubleshooting any potential connectivity issues can also help to resolve this problem.
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rickymartin

By default, Apache listens to all network interfaces and responds to all requests. Therefore, it is safe to assume that if we enter a global address into a web browser, we will see our website. However, if you are using a router, the IP address belongs to the router and requests from the Internet may not properly reach your local network due to port forwarding issues.

When the request comes from the Internet to the router, it may not know which device on the local network to forward the request to. Additionally, many routers have their own web servers that show router settings in a web browser.

To make your local site visible on the Internet, you need to configure port forwarding. This option is available for both LAN and Internet connection settings, but we specifically need the latter. In your router's Internet settings, find port forwarding and select port 80 for forwarding. Enter the local IP address of the computer hosting the web server and enter the port to which the forwarding will occur (in this case, 80) using the TCP protocol.

It's important to note that some routers may support Port switching, which is not suitable for this situation. Ensuring that your router's port forwarding and Internet settings are properly configured can help to make your local site accessible from the wider Internet.
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magicyan

It seems like you have made some initial attempts to resolve the issue with your domain. Since you mentioned that the website works fine through a proxy but not directly, it could indicate a problem with your local network setup or DNS configuration.

Here are a few suggestions on where to look for a solution:

1. Double-check your firewall and proxy settings: Verify that the firewall rules and proxy configurations are correctly set up to redirect traffic to the local PC hosting the website. Make sure there are no misconfigurations or conflicting rules that might be causing the issue.

2. Review your DNS settings: Confirm that the DNS entry for the domain is pointing to the correct IP address of the local server. Check the DNS server settings on your domain controller to ensure that the proper inspection zones are set up and correctly resolving to the local PC.

3. Investigate network connectivity: Ensure that the local server hosting the website is accessible from within your local network. Check for any network connectivity issues, such as blocked ports or network restrictions that prevent direct access to the server.

4. Monitor server logs: Examine the server logs of the local PC hosting the website to identify any errors or warnings that could provide insights into the issue. Look for any specific error messages related to the website or network connectivity.

5. Consult with your network administrator or IT support: If you have exhausted your troubleshooting steps, it might be helpful to involve a network administrator or IT support personnel who can review your network setup and provide further assistance in resolving the issue.

Remember to document any changes you make and gather relevant information to help with troubleshooting.
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