Using HostsXpert/Hoster to allow a Loopback connection

[Kareeser]

Typing "127.0.0.1"/"Localhost" allows you to loop back to your machine and see any services you have set up, such as a web or FTP server.

Along the same vein, typing a network address (192.168.0.100, for example), does the same, but directs you to the networked computer.

Both are internal connections, and do not enter the "outside world" (www)

However, typing the public IP address, even when the correct ports are forwarded by the router, will not allow you to see the service. That is, some modems/routers will not allow loopback connections.

To get around this, I used Hoster, or as it is now renamed, HostsXpert.

I simply added the following value to the list:

[internal IP address]  [public web address]

e.g.

192.168.1.69  206.248.139.177
192.168.1.69  www.kareeser.com
192.168.1.69  kareeser.com
192.168.1.69  wiki.kareeser.com

Be sure to restart your browsers

What this does is instruct the HOSTS file to redirect all traffic pointing to those addresses (on the right) and send them off to the address on the left.

Remember that the address on the left MUST be an IP address. Not sure why this is the case, but network names do not work.

Hope this helps somebody