Server up and Running

As some people might know, I have problem with my server recently.
The days in Compal separated by server hosting life. I haven't touched my servers for a year or so. Suddenly, when I want to come back to server/ web industry, I realized that I cannot get my server working. Well, it works on local computer. it's just it is unreachable by others. with THAT in mind, the most direct prediction of where the problem is/should be, lies in firewall/security settings. However, what troubles me is that, I tried to run the server with ALL firewall turned off. It still fails. With that in mind, I've been installing/uninstalling/reinstalling software and services to try to find out what the problem is. I even tried with both IIS and apache (which I relies on it so very often). Still nothing!

Couple days ago, I set up a small network locally (with wirless router, see previous article). Suddenly, it hits me. If I can duplicate the systems by installing services once by one, I'd probably come up with something. I am out of most of my options, doesn't really hurt if I learn more about windows services. Couple services down... "BlackICE service started." What!!?? I turned the firewall off!!! why is this service running? Then I realized that it was installed by default to run in background, and the ISS PC Protection is just a control apps. The rest of the story is pretty much click and go.

The solution, service so called "BlackIce firewall" blocks all my other traffics. and that caused my system to be unreachable by other systems. Talk about over protected system without reading the manual completely (or read without understanding + certain tireness and lazyness + maybe some excuses).

Anyways, after long time, our servers are up and running.