Web-shared website isn't live

[laserbeam273]

I've turned on web sharing, and I'm able to view the sites on the host computer, however I can't access them on a different computer. I'm having trouble figuring this out... my knowledge of networking is weak.

Both computers are running OS X 10.7.3, normal not server edition. Both computers are working off wireless mobile internet.

Can anyone help me resolve this one?

 

[aarond12]

Certain hotspots, to increase security, don't allow computers on the same subnet (e.g., computers using the same hotspot) to see each other. If you're using two different hotspots or mobile Internet connections, it could work -- in theory -- but you would have to know the WAN address of the server computer, then browse to that IP address. This ALSO assumes that the mobile Internet doesn't filter outbound server connections...

In short, your best chance of making this work would be to have these two devices connect to the same personal (not commercial) WiFi access point. They should be able to see each other, though you'll still need to know the WAN address of the server.

How to do this for the mobile hotspot: Google "what's my ip address" on the server computer and it will tell you your WAN address. Then, on the client system, enter http://*ip_address* and it should display your site.

How to do this for the local WiFi access point: Open up System Preferences and look under Network. Find your AirPort card and press the Advanced button to see the IP address. Browse to that IP address on the client computer.

 

[laserbeam273]

How to do this for the mobile hotspot: Google "what's my ip address" on the server computer and it will tell you your WAN address. Then, on the client system, enter http://*ip_address* and it should display your site.

Thanks for the reply.

Both are using separate hot spot devices. I've tried what you've suggested, and unfortunately it hasn't worked. http://*ip_address* is set up when I view the page from the server computer, but it isn't working when I access it via the client computer. I used the ip address of the server computer.

EDIT: Ok a bit confusing - my IP address according to Google is something other than what the web sharing page says, you know, where it says "Your computer's website is available at this address:".

When I go to the link with the IP address from the web sharing page, it works on the server computer, but when I go to the link using my supposed public IP address, it doesn't work.

 

[laserbeam273]

I had a read of Google's "learn more" with the "what's my ip address" search. It pointed out that on a single network with multiple computers, it receives a single public IP address - for me this is a normal, messy number IP address.

When I look at my websharing IP address, it's a very clean cut number.

This translation is apparently referred to as a Network Address Translator (NAT). So I'd imagine that would be causing me my issues. I'll try look into this more and post if I find something.

I can see why Web Sharing is not in Mountain Lion.. far too complicated for a single check button.

EDIT: Looks like I need to do "port forwarding" with my router.. i.e. iphone, so that's not that possible. Surely there's a way to do this, seems very difficult though.

 

[aarond12]

Surely there's a way to do this, seems very difficult though.

Thanks for reporting back about your test. It's as I feared: The NAT and filtering is preventing you from running a server on your hotspot. Unless you find another hotspot that will allow you to do port forwarding or DMZ, it ain't gonna work. Sorry about that.

 

[laserbeam273]

Thanks for reporting back about your test. It's as I feared: The NAT and filtering is preventing you from running a server on your hotspot. Unless you find another hotspot that will allow you to do port forwarding or DMZ, it ain't gonna work. Sorry about that.

Yeah. Though it would be a fascinating achievement - running a web server off a hotspot - it really is a moot task given the reliability and data allowances of mobile internet. I've opt'ed to go for a free MySQL host - freemysql.net. Already I can access my database through Sequel Pro, and it took a fraction of an hour to set up. Problem solved!

Regarding the original question, do you think it's truly impossible, or just very hard? Surely there'd be a way.

 

[aarond12]

Regarding the original question, do you think it's truly impossible, or just very hard? Surely there'd be a way.

Unfortunately, I'd say "impossible", though if you were able to modify the firewall/NAT settings of the device, I might downgrade that to "difficult".

 

[laserbeam273]

Unfortunately, I'd say "impossible", though if you were able to modify the firewall/NAT settings of the device, I might downgrade that to "difficult".

Hmm. Well maybe one day, when my understanding of networks is a bit sharper, I'll revisit this. Though to me it sounds like it would take some hacking!