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I'm setting up a webserver behind my router. I've done the following:

  1. Router: Port forwarded 80, 8000, 8080 to the correct IP address (192.168.1.5 in this context).
  2. Router: Enabled dyndns.org dynamic dns.
  3. Started the webserver (Django's development webserver for now) on my box (VM-based Debian sitting on a Vista host ... bridged networking enabled) @ 192.168.1.5:80.

When I'm on another machine inside my router (e.g. my iPhone, my work laptop, my PS3 browser), I can connect to the website using the domain name (mikerand.dyndns-home.com). When I'm outside of the router, however (e.g. when my work laptop is plugged in at work or I set my iPhone to 3G instead of WiFi), I can't connect.

What's odd is that the SSH server running on the same Debian box allows connections from outside of the router using the domain name, so I know that the port forwarding on port 22 and the dyndns are working fine.

Question: what am I doing wrong with the HTTP setup?

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up vote 3 down vote accepted

Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block port 80 traffic (in that direction only obviously) to prevent their domestic/residential customers running web-servers that would cause the ISP traffic volumes the ISP don't wish to support.

Check with your ISP.

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Bingo. I have Optimum and would need to get Optimum Online Boost to enable incoming requests on port 80 and 25 (email). Thanks much. – Begbie00 Jun 2 '11 at 10:54
See if 443 is blocked (it likely is). You should be using HTTPS in this day and age anyway. – ultrasawblade Jun 2 '11 at 11:44
I get using it for transactional stuff (which my site won't be doing), but is it common practice to use HTTPS for the general site? – Begbie00 Jun 2 '11 at 12:22
@Begbie00: Look at the top left of your browser and the status bar, is there a locked padlock icon there? Few informational websites use HTTPS. If the authenticity of your website contents are vital to your audience, then you should consider buying a certificate for HTTPS. If the privacy of your website is vital to your audience, then you should use HTTPS (with either a self-signed cert or the more convenient certs from a known CA) – RedGrittyBrick Jun 2 '11 at 12:28
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Given that your SSH server is working, that would point towards some sort of IP based access control in the web server itself. I do not know enough about Django to suggest where to look.

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