Trying to host a website from home...

[Mycophiles]

Try this URL:

 

By manually adding the port to the URL, this will/should tell you if you have a port binding issue.

 

Can you bring up the site in IIS?

What URL? 

 

I can bring up the site in IIS but only using localhost/wordpress.  I cannot by using the www.websitename.com:80

[jmwills]

I say you're being blocked by the ISP.

[Mycophiles]

I say you're being blocked by the ISP.

Using GRC | Shield ( https://www.grc.com ) It says the port is closed but received a ping request. 

[mrossco]

First, you've got your U-Verse router set properly.  I had to do the same thing with my U-Verse.  The DMZ setting forwards all incoming traffic to the DD-WRT router.  Did you setup DD-WRT to forward port 80 traffic to whatever machine you are using to run your websites?

 

Second, is DNS properly configured?  ATT will change your public ip address from time to time, so unless you have a dynamic dns service, you may have to change your website dns to point to your house's new ip on occasion.

 

Third, I'd sincerely consider abandoning all of this.  I started pushing friends, family and acquaintances to either Squarespace or GoDaddy Wordpress Hosting.  Check the fine print, but GoDaddy used to offer free cancellation within the first 30 days.  Both services will handle a lot of the work for you, including registering and configuring your domain name.  I've reclaimed a lot of my own free time as a result.  Personally, I think Squarespace is easier for non-techie people, but there is a large community built around Wordpress.

[Mycophiles]

First, you've got your U-Verse router set properly.  I had to do the same thing with my U-Verse.  The DMZ setting forwards all incoming traffic to the DD-WRT router.  Did you setup DD-WRT to forward port 80 traffic to whatever machine you are using to run your websites?

 

Second, is DNS properly configured?  ATT will change your public ip address from time to time, so unless you have a dynamic dns service, you may have to change your website dns to point to your house's new ip on occasion.

 

Third, I'd sincerely consider abandoning all of this.  I started pushing friends, family and acquaintances to either Squarespace or GoDaddy Wordpress Hosting.  Check the fine print, but GoDaddy used to offer free cancellation within the first 30 days.  Both services will handle a lot of the work for you, including registering and configuring your domain name.  I've reclaimed a lot of my own free time as a result.  Personally, I think Squarespace is easier for non-techie people, but there is a large community built around Wordpress.

Thanks for the suggestion.  Yea, godaddy will be where I will be going afterward. Yea, I know I'm doing more work than needed... I could get hosting for like... 5$ right now b/c of specials so it's kinda stupid going this route but I'd like to figure it out if possible.  It's not only about helping them it's about learning how to do it myself. 

 

Thanks for the FYI about the router.... I know about the forwarding service... have had one for years but lost it last year I think.  My ip hasn't changed in quite a while but I'll have to keep an eye on it.  Yes, the DNS is forwarded correctly.  When I ping the domain name I get my external IP address. 

[Big Worm]

Nobody should ever use Godaddy!  Too many other good choices out there.  

 

Can you get just to the root web site by www.websitename?

[ikon]

Thanks mrossco. Interesting use of a DMZ.

 

Mycophiles,

OK, your DNS is working ATM, but have you forwarded port 80 (as mrossco asked) to your server? This would be on the DD-WRT router.

Also, can you access the web page by using http;//<servername>/wordpress from a client computer on your LAN? How about http://<server IP>/wordpress from a client computer on your LAN?

[mrossco]

Thanks mrossco. Interesting use of a DMZ.

Yea, totally weird.  ATT U-Verse ships with a router w/ G wireless.  You have to use their router because it doubles as VOIP and DSL-ish modem, but if you want a more sophisticated firewall, then you have to put it behind the ATT unit and in a "DMZ".  In my area, the only other option is Charter Cable, and well, we're just not going to talk about that...

 

It's not only about helping them it's about learning how to do it myself. 

 

Totally understand.  Explains the state of my basement.  Just make sure you check to make sure you have a forwarding rule configured in DD-WRT, and as Ikon suggests, see if you can get on a different computer on your local network and access the site using the hosting PC's name (e.g. http://<computername>/wordpress).

[Mycophiles]

Thanks mrossco. Interesting use of a DMZ.

 

Mycophiles,

OK, your DNS is working ATM, but have you forwarded port 80 (as mrossco asked) to your server? This would be on the DD-WRT router.

Also, can you access the web page by using http;//<servername>/wordpress from a client computer on your LAN? How about http://<server IP>/wordpress from a client computer on your LAN?

 

 

Yes, I have forwarded port 80 to the ip address of the server.  I cannot access http://servername/wordpress or http://serverIP/wordpress.

 

Here's a shot of my port forwarding for reference.  Of courser 192.168.2.32 is my (static) server IP address. 

 

 

and the message I get when I try to go to the two addresses above.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Mycophiles

[Big Worm]

Sounds like you don't have port 80 open on the server firewall.  It's closed by default.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Big Worm