is ip free service the same as having a domain name?
P!-Ro
Posts: 1,189
I talked about it to a tech guy a while back saying I couldn't see the web service from an old computer running Apache outside of my own network and he told me I needed to buy a domain name to get past my internet provider (Cable One). Is having a domain name really all that different from using free services like no-ip (which doesn't work)?
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Pi aren't squared, pi r round!
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Pi aren't squared, pi r round!
Comments
The real problem happens when the request is directed at your IP address assigned to your cable modem or dsl adapter.
Depending on your configuration, you need to "forward" the incoming requests to stations on your network.
Generally, most home routers have a "forwarding" function in them that simply needs to be activated.
Let's say that your external IP address (the one that everyone could see) is 24.123.11.150
and that your workstation has been given 192.168.1.100 from your router.
Now if it is a web server you are running on your workstation it would use ports 80 and 81. (generally, but see below)
A request from the outside world is made to 24.123.11.150 to retrieve a webpage.
That request goes to your router, which if forwarding is setup would have a truth table which says that
any request made to 80 or 81 should be forwarded to workstation on 192.168.1.100
At that point the packet is set to your internal machine and it answers the request to display a page.
[noparse][[/noparse]Some problems that might need to be overcome]
Some internet providers turn off lower ports 1-100 (or so) and claim they are doing this for your safety. (NOT)
The truth is that a lot internet providers aren't really keen on your running a server on their network as it
creates additional traffic. (Not much really) Some have even gone as far as stating in their contract that
you are not allowed to do this. (check) Hogwash really...
If you find that standard ports are blocked, simply set your webserver software to use 8080 and 8081 or
grab a couple higher numbers out of the air and set your router to "forward" requests made to those ports
to your workstation. The only change on the outside world is that you have to add a port number to the
address. http://24.123.11.150 becomes http://24.123.11.150:8080
BTW you can find out what your external address is by going to http://www.whatismyip.com
[noparse][[/noparse]Notice how I haven't mentioned a domain name yet?]
Now if you want to connect a domain name, you "could" go to somewhere like gkg.net and purchase
a name, by using the "free parking" that comes with your domain, simply forward requests from
http://www.whateverdomainyouthoughtwascool.com to http://24.123.11.150:8080
If you want to use a free sevice like dynamic dns, simply download their client software, pick a name (or subdomain)
from their list. Their software does all the work of keeping track of your current external IP and directing
the traffic toward it. The catch is that you will still need to do the prep work to your router as listed above.
Clear as mud?
OBC
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Pi aren't squared, pi r round!
Also, I've honestly found it easier to use a simple windows web server for this type of project.
(yes, a linux guy actually said that!) You won't have to deal with Apache configuration (an artform onto itself)
while learning how to get all the other stuff nailed down.
Granted, the security of a Windows box isn't linux, but..... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
OBC
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Powered by enthusiasm
@OBC--it's connected to an Arris modem. I guess once I get apache to work I'll move on to everything else...I just wish I never took win98 off that machine.
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Pi aren't squared, pi r round!
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Pi aren't squared, pi are round. Cornbread are squared!
OBC
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Are you Propeller Powered? PropellerPowered.com
Visit the: PROPELLERPOWERED SIG forum kindly hosted by Savage Circuits.
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Pi aren't squared, pi are round. Cornbread are squared!