[parttimetechie]

Ya, connecting that way works fine, but I really want to be able to connect using the external IP address

[JohnWill]

Well, that requires the router offer NAT Loopback, don't know if yours offers that capability. Can you ping your external IP address from inside the network?

[parttimetechie]

No, the Ping timed out. I read somewhere that you can create the NAT loopback by messing with the HOSTS file. I believe its in the earlier posts of this thread.

[JohnWill]

Well, not really. You may be able to simulate it by putting the URL and the local IP address in HOSTS, but it won't actually do the same as NAT Loopback.

[parttimetechie]

What would the differences be?

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by parttimetechie

What would the differences be?

Visibly or technically? You could put your URL in the HOSTS file and when you enter it, it'll resolve to your local server, if that's what you're asking.

[parttimetechie]

I put the external IP address and then tabbed over and put the http:www.wadsley.us right next to it. Reboted the computer and nothing changed, still get the Router config page.

[JohnWill]

You have to use your local network address for the server within your own network, I thought I made that clear?

[parttimetechie]

I thought I could change that or mask it with a change to the HOSTS file

[JohnWill]

The HOSTS file simply maps an IP address to a network name. If that IP address is not accessible on your network, the network name will not resolve.

[parttimetechie]

Oh, alright. Thanks for the info. So I would need a NAT loopback router? Do you know of any for cheap that have that function?

[JohnWill]

Well, I'd think that most of them would nowadays, but I don't know of a model specifically. My Actiontec MI424WR that came with Verizon FiOS has it.

Here's a page with a list of routers with the feature, maybe that'll help? http://opensimulator.org/wiki/NAT_Loopback_Routers

If you had NAT Loopback, you wouldn't have to do anything in your HOSTS, the DNS resolution of the public IP address would work just like outside the LAN.