Windows XP firewall question

[David]

I was wondering if.. when using the XP firewall without
opening the port to the web server (80) if it can still be
accessed using http://localhost/ or do I need to open the
port.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Not sure what you mean, or what you're trying to do. Localhost is only going
to work from/on your own computer. Where is the webserver? Are you running
the webserver on your workstation, and want to allow others access to it? If
so, yes, you'll have to open 80 in your firewall - but localhost won't work
for computers other than your own when trying to access it - others can use
the IP address.

 

[David]

Sorry.. maybe I should have been more specific. I'm new to
firewalls.

I want to enable the XP firewall. IIS 5.1 is installed on
this computer running XP Pro. I've got other things
running that connect to internet ports on this
workstation. I don't want them accessed from the internet,
but I want to be able to access then locally, eg
http://localhost/ for the webserver.

I spent the weekend trying to install PHP and MySql on my
workstation so I could learn PHP. I don't know any other
way to explain it.

does the firewall block LOCALHOST connection, or do they
need to be opened.. I have no clue.

David
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Sorry.. maybe I should have been more specific. I'm new to
firewalls.

I want to enable the XP firewall. IIS 5.1 is installed on
this computer running XP Pro. I've got other things
running that connect to internet ports on this
workstation. I don't want them accessed from the internet,
but I want to be able to access then locally, eg
http://localhost/ for the webserver.

I spent the weekend trying to install PHP and MySql on my
workstation so I could learn PHP. I don't know any other
way to explain it.

does the firewall block LOCALHOST connection, or do they
need to be opened.. I have no clue.

Since you're accessing your own computer *from* your own computer, the
firewall shouldn't enter into it at all.