Topic: Seeking inspiration!

[Dave Dumolo]

I've got a couple of problems - but I guess that's not unique!
1.
I've been using 5.1.2 connecting to Freeserve Anytime with no problems for the last 4 months. Suddenly I start having connection problems.  The good old US Robotics external modem just disconnects after 30 - 60 seconds. However, using a really old ISA internal K56Flex/V90 modem the connection stays up but is really slow - this message is coming over this link. I've 'phoned BT and all they'll say is that if normal 'phone calls can be made & received then as far as they're concerned everything is all right! I've evidence to support this as the same external modem connected to a different PC but connecting through the same ISP works OK. I've also tested the COM connections on the SME server and they check out OK. That leaves me with Freeserve having done something - but they say not. Soooooo.... we've got a setup that was working perfectly for 4 months and is now not, all of the individual components check out OK, and the service providers claim they've done nothing. Furthermore there are no errors reported in any of the SME server logs. Any suggestions as to how I can track down the problem?

2.
I've got another 5.1.2 server that's working fine for a client.  At the beginning of their use of this server it was necessary to set up a virtual domain with the same name as their external mail server so that the email system worked properly.  Now, a few months down the line they want to use their www.domain.co.uk to host a new web site at the ISP. This all works fine - except that users routing to the internet via the server cannot access the web site, the rest of the world can!! I've tried deleting the www.domain.co.uk hostname from the server but still the external site remains invisible. I also tried installing Darrelll May's ProxyPass stuff but this didn't install cleanly and then denied all access to the server - good job I tried it on a test box. I then couldn't delete it either.  All suggestion gratefully received - including RTFM, but please indicate which FM in this case!


Regards,

Dave

[Andy Parkinson]

The problem with freeserve could be a line problem.

1. Try using it with no telephones connected tot eh line you will be surprised how many times a faulty phone on a a line can cause failures.

2. Try using a different line to prove whether the problem is the line or possibly the modem. You will need to change the number to Freeserve's pay as you go number as the anytime (Friaco) number will only work from the registered line.

2nd Problem

Internal users not able to go to web site with same domain name as virtual domain.

This is very simply resolved. Go to server manager then go into "hostnames and addresses" . Find the www.thedomainname thatisn't working.whatever and click on modify. Change it from local to remote and then click next. Type in the ip address of the web site that you are trying to access you may need to find this out by pinging it from a machine not on the network. Then save it all and it should work. The problem is caused by the dns server in E-Smith resolving the hostname to the local server.

[David Pennycuick]

Just to add my 2 bob's worth to Andy's comment on a line fault......
I  have had this problem twice and have found it was always due to 'noise' on the line - hiss - crackles etc.  The way the phone wires are laid in my house the branch with the modem on it does not have any phones on it, and since the crook joint needs current flowing thru it to generate noise, I never heard any problem on the calls to the phone co.  I tracked the problem down  by plugging a phone into the modem socket.

regards
David

Now I look at this reply it seems a bit off topic..... sorry

[Dave Dumolo]

Thanks to both of you.  The DNS local/remote thing will make my clients very happy - why didn't I see that??!!!! As for the Freeserve thing I have a horrible feeling that BT have gone and installed a splitter in the line so that they can increase the number of subscriber numbers served by my piece of copper. BT will only guarantee voice quality - unless, of course, you upgrade (!!?) to ISDN!!

Regards,

Dave.