Rage Across the Cape

Out of Character => OOC Discussion => Archived OOC Posts => Topic started by: Sebastian Prey-To-None on February 28, 2011, 04:59:24 PM

Title: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Sebastian Prey-To-None on February 28, 2011, 04:59:24 PM
Just heard from Anna and Mandy that neither can access the Rageacrossthecape website.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: PEBE on February 28, 2011, 09:02:12 PM
It appears to be a DNS issue. Google's DNS servers cannot properly connect. Cox's default ones are though.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Justin Northwood on March 01, 2011, 01:19:03 AM
(( Sent to all RAtC players, Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 9:41 PM ))

Hello!
 
So by now, some (or many) of you may have been experiencing on-and-off (or just off) "404 Not Found" or "Forbidden" errors when attempting to go to rageacrossthecape.com.
 
I have confirmed that everything is in order with the hosting company's servers and the domain name, but the problem seems to be stemming from some bad info on one (or more) DNS servers.
 
DNS servers are the places your web browser goes every time you go to the forums, to find out that "rageacrossthecape.com" points to a server called "64.29.145.9" in internet speak.  Right now one (or more) DNS servers are trying to point to the wrong place, and neither I, nor our domain name provider and hosting company, can figure out why.  The problem doesn't seem to be affecting all DNS servers (there are many, operated by many, all over), so some of you may have no problem at all.
 
In general, I believe this is the sort of thing that will work itself out in not-too-very-long, but please know that I am doing what I can to remedy the situation.
 
I will continue to send updates as necessary.
 
Thank you,
 
Marc Berman
Head Storyteller,
Rage Across the Cape
www.rageacrossthecape.com
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Justin Northwood on March 01, 2011, 01:20:24 AM
(( Sent to all RAtC players, Tue, Mar 1, 2011 at 1:08 AM ))

Hello, Again!
 
At this time, it is looking more and more like the cause of the outages is in fact a DNS problem, as originally believed.
 
A support ticket has been opened with the domain/hosting provider, just to make sure all bases are covered, though the issue is most likely with DNS server(s), not our host or domain name provider.
 
The DNS server(s) operated by Google (which are very common) appear to be affected, as do the DNS servers for COX Communications and possibly Comcast, which are also extremely common, and typically the default settings for most computers in our geographical area (depending on your internet service provider).
 
We are currently working all available avenues to end the outages, still hopeful that the issue will resolve itself in a relatively short period of time.
 
Anything I Can Do About This?
In most cases, the DNS server your computer uses is configured automatically, though it is possible to specify a particular DNS server to use instead.  Changing your DNS server will work-around this current issue and allow you to get to rageacrossthecape.com.  Changing your DNS server is not recommended for those who are not sure what they are doing.  Some helpful information may be found here: Public DNS Server List (http://theos.in/windows-xp/free-fast-public-dns-server-list/) (remember, the Google DNS servers are currently the ones not working) and here: Changing DNS Settings in Windows 7 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-TCP-IP-settings), Windows Vista (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-TCP-IP-settings), Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305553), Mac OSX (http://www.plus.net/support/software/dns/changing_dns_mac.shtml)
 
Tech-Talk
Under normal circumstances, you could point your browser to the IP Address of RAtC's server (http://64.29.145.9 (http://64.29.145.9)), instead of "http://rageacrossthecape.com", bypassing DNS altogether.  Unfortunately, this does not work in our case, because our host's server is not configured for this.
 
I hope this information has been helpful, and we will continue to provide updates as necessary.
 
Marc Berman
Head Storyteller,
Rage Across the Cape
www.rageacrossthecape.com
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Benjamin on March 01, 2011, 02:10:40 AM
I found a solution to the problem by switching from Safari to Firefox. Don't know if that will help anyone else, but try switching browsers, it worked for me.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Taweret on March 01, 2011, 09:46:12 AM
I had problems this morning on Firefox. I have yet to have an access problem when I go to the forums on my phone.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Nike 'Slays the Patriarchy' Strilakos on March 01, 2011, 10:30:06 AM
My access was intermittent on Charter, and not at all on my iPhone.  i have set my DNS to 208.67.222.222 and it seems to work here at work now...

we shall see...
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 11:24:47 AM
my access is currently back :D
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Nike 'Slays the Patriarchy' Strilakos on March 01, 2011, 11:45:59 AM
my access is currently back :D

yay!  post our thing so we can continue it :)
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 11:46:26 AM
done and done!
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Arthur A Dennison on March 01, 2011, 02:16:38 PM
Have access at home now(Comcast). Had access last night late(3AM) on my Droid. Haven't tested work yet.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Nike 'Slays the Patriarchy' Strilakos on March 01, 2011, 02:18:08 PM
Have access at home now(Comcast). Had access last night late(3AM) on my Droid. Haven't tested work yet.

cool.  we have a thread with your name on it :P
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Damien Eneas on March 01, 2011, 05:25:59 PM
I am here from a computer that is not where I live.  I'll have to see if I have access when I return home.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Arthur A Dennison on March 01, 2011, 07:35:53 PM
So, I did not have access at work until just now. Sorry if I'm behind.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Benjamin on March 01, 2011, 07:38:11 PM
Mick was eaten by a bear. Sorry about that.  :(
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Arthur A Dennison on March 01, 2011, 07:41:53 PM
That bear had it coming.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 07:48:48 PM
WE also made him a child of Gaia.. hope you don't mind :D lol
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Arthur A Dennison on March 01, 2011, 08:02:16 PM
That's gonna be one hell of a stretch.
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 08:04:33 PM
Ya mean you don't want to be a all Lovey dovey with Gaia :P all peaceful :) lolz
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Justin Northwood on March 01, 2011, 08:40:48 PM
Though I have yet to hear back from the host on the support ticket I opened, I've yet to see it *not* work tonight since I got home from work, and it seems as though there were generally no more problems as of early this afternoon.  I've checked out a few DNS servers that weren't working yesterday, and they seem to be working now.

On a side note, I suppose all this did serve as a nifty learning experience for those who may not have known what DNS was before :)
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 08:44:10 PM
still say it was a way for you guys to make sure we all see the sunlight once in awhile lol Totally kidding you guys  :) I totally love all the ST's :D
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Justin Northwood on March 01, 2011, 09:12:33 PM
We've had a fair share of internet strange here.

Lest we forget the great "December 2011" time-warp debacle of 2009. :)
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Nike 'Slays the Patriarchy' Strilakos on March 01, 2011, 09:13:09 PM
dude, i missed the time warp?  :(
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 09:15:58 PM
we can do it again?!?!!? let's do the Time warp again!! lol
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: PEBE on March 01, 2011, 09:35:49 PM
It's just a jump to the left...
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 09:38:23 PM
and then a step to the right? lol :D don't get me going...
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Nike 'Slays the Patriarchy' Strilakos on March 01, 2011, 09:47:02 PM
oh god noooo.  i left my days of performing this stuff behind! :)
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: PEBE on March 01, 2011, 10:05:08 PM
You put your hands on your hips..
Title: Re: Unable to log into or access RatC website
Post by: Anyanka Kuznetsova on March 01, 2011, 10:06:16 PM
AND BRING YOUR KNEES IN TIGHT.. BUT IT'S THE PELVIC THRUST THAT REALLY MAKES YOU IN SA A ANNNE! LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!!