About IP Addresses

[Rahul Mahindrakar]

Hi

I have a web server running on my machine whose port is open. However my machine has DHCP. I check my "external" IP from a service like whatismyip.com

Now if my friend tries to access the webserver on the "external" IP and somehow it does not get it.

Now my question is how do other programs like yahoo messanger work. When my friend sends me a message does he not send me a message on a specific IP and port?

Thanks
Rahul

[Joe Ess]

You probably have to configure your router (or whatever you connect to the net with) to forward the traffic to your computer: portforward.com

[Paul Clapham]

Rahul Mahindrakar wrote:Now my question is how do other programs like yahoo messanger work. When my friend sends me a message does he not send me a message on a specific IP and port?

Actually, no. Those programs do not run a server on your computer. When your friend "sends you a message" here's what happens:

The message goes to Yahoo's server

Yahoo's server puts it in a list of messages waiting for you

The messenger program on your computer sends out a request saying "Any messages for me?"

Yahoo's server sends the message back to the messenger program in response

The messenger program displays the message on your screen

[Rahul Mahindrakar]

Hi

Opps I forgot that its a Client - Server architecture and it looks like Yahoo client is pooling for some messages.

But this does not answer my moot question.

If I have a IP and a server on DHCP why is it that an "outside" entity is not able to access the service.

Thanks

[Peter Johnson]

If I have a IP and a server on DHCP why is it that an "outside" entity is not able to access the service.

a) What is your local network configuration:
Do you have a router? If so, then Joe answered your question.
Or are you directly connected to your ISP? If so, then does your ISP route traffic to your IP address, or does it block it?

b) Is there a firewall somewhere (either in your network or the IPS's) that is preventing the access.

c) What network debugging have you done (ping, tracert, etc) and what were the results of each of those?

d) If you do an ifconfig, what is the first node number? Is it 192?