IP Address does not direct me to my domain name. 2

[danielh68]

Hi,

I was studying a tutorial about forms and at one point it stated that you need to know the IP address of your domain. It proceeded by explaining how to use the DOS prompt to find the IP address. Anyhow, I entered my address (

http://www.blitzdesign.net)and

it took me to my ISP instead of my home page. I thought it should go directly to my homepage. In fact, I choose a few random bookmarks and enter them in the DOS prompt to get their IP, then I inserted the IP in the browser and it took me directly to their sites. So what's wrong with mine? I emailed my provider and they have yet to respond. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

--DanH

 

[Haunter]

It sounds like you may be hosted on a virtual host type system. This is where the server retains one IP address and then delegates the location of your site by name and not IP. This is not a bad thing depending on what you are trying to do. Lots of Servers do this to lower cost and simplify the administration process. A dedicated IP to your site usually cost more "$".

There are other reasons but this may be the most common one. The way the server chooses to set up your account can be quit variable.

Ask then to see if you are set up on a virtual host system.

 

[danielh68]

Thanks Haunter. Like, I mentioned above, I'm trying to do a cgi form and it requires the IP address. So, now I'm wondering if I can still go forward with the form despite being a virtual host. I will probably have to contact my provider.

Again, thanks for sharing the knowledge.
DanH

 

[Haunter]

Yes. You should be able to direct your form fine on a virtual host situation. I rare if ever us a IP to direct data. I find it easer to use domain names. If it is a problem we can find a work around for you to get your problem solved.

 

[Haunter]

Give me a little better idea of what you are trying to do and I can help you with it. If you have started on some code let me look at that too if possible. If you have not got anything going yet we can cook you up something good.

 

[danielh68]

Thanks, Haunter. Actually, this whole IP address issure spawned while trying to create a client's site at my fulltime gig. I work at a marketing agency as a graphic designer and the sales reps found out that I do websites too. So, now, I found myself doing this pretty much fulltime. Anyhow, I really want to take you up on your offer about reviewing my form code. The only problem is all my work is at work, so I will probably have to wait until Monday to contact you again. However, perhaps you can answer me this question in the meantime: do you need a domain name to create a form? The client doesn't have a domain yet, but he does have an IP address. And, unlike my own provider, his IP address takes hime directly to his site. Well, my wife and I are going to Sacramento for Easter, so I better go. If the offer still stands, I will post some code Monday.

Your help is much appreciated.
DanH

 

[Haunter]

Yes the offer still stands. You can email me directly at ekhaunter@hotmail.com or you can just post here and I or someone else will reply.

As for the domain name issue, I usaully develop everything locally and have a full working copy then upload it. I have not ever tried to send a form to just an IP address like this 11.12.57.12/cgi-bin/some.cgi I dont think that it will work but worth a try until he picks a domain name. I find the most preferrable development environment is a desktop webserver. They are real easy to set up. I can give you some pointers on how to do that to if you want.

Once you have a desktop server you just simply access the website like this

http://localhost/cgi-bin/some.cgi

so anyhow there are lots of ways to solve your issues get back with me on monday.

 

[danielh68]

Haunter,

I agree, having the development contained locally is probably best. The other day I installed PWS on an old P1 to learn how to develop ASP pages. Anyhow, I was browsing the documentation and I don't think it handles perl. I might be wrong, but I didn't see any reference to it. Can I install Apache alongside PWS?

Concerning my client, it's a strange deal. The IP for the server I'm developing on is 66.111.66.106 -- Just as a reminder, I didn't design what is currently there. He doesn't have a domain name for it, yet. He does have one attached to another IP that he plans on switching to 66.111.66.106 in the near future. That domain is

http://www.apc2000.net

-- again, I didn't design what is currently there. So all I have to work with is an IP address. Unless, I install a web server to test it and confirm that it will work when the domain is eventually switched. This is pretty much my situation. Your insights will be greatly appreciated.

As for the form itself, I posted it in a subdirectory on my own site. You should see a simple input box and submit button. In addition, I placed all the perl script in the page itself. I thought it might make it easier to view and analyze. Here's the link:

http://www.blitzdesign.net/haunter/formtest.htm

Of course, in reality, I would have this portion in a separate text file with a pl extension placed in the cgi-bin.

In addition, I used this tutorial for assistance.

http://www.appbuild.com/formmail_help.html

Thanks again,
DanH

 

[yauncin]

If the web server is apache and it is configured correctly then this (11.12.57.12/cgi-bin/some.cgi) should work.

 

[Haunter]

I will take a look at what you have listen and try them on a Windows server with IIS running and an Apache server. I will get both situations running using the IP address and get back to you later today or tomarrow. This will cover about 99% of the server types on the web and prevent the problem in the future. Send me an email with your Phone # so I can contact you directly if possible and that will speed the time to getting you a solution. We should have this nocked out by the end of the day or tomarrow.

PS I luv a challenge and learning new crap!

I will post all my finding and solutions here or write a FAQ.

 

[danielh68]

Haunter,

I just updated

http://www.blitzdesign.net/haunter/formtest.htm

. The ISP at interland.com told me a couple of things that I needed:

1. the shebang (spelling?) is incorrect on my original. It's suppose to be #!/usr/local/bin/perl5.00404. You can also see this on the update.

2. The tutorial (

http://www.appbuild.com/formmail_help.html)

seems to require a domain name and an email address to that domain name. So the ISP guy created a temporary domain for me. He called it a "canonical". Anyhow, it's going to take 24 hrs. or so before it activates. The domain is freedom.apc2000.net.

Until then I don't know what really to do. I investigated Apache. I don't know if I can install it on the same system as PWS, though. I still need to do more research, it's rather new to me. For instance,I went to Apache.org and attempted to download the http server. Then, it took me to several binary files. It looked scary. As a result, I'm searching the web for some basic tutorials.

a million thanks,
Dan