Apache tomcat server win8 cannot be accessed outside of local host

Question

I have installed the apache-tomcat server on my local win7. The port I specified is 9999. Additionally, I use the distributed binary version of apache tomcat. Not installing as a windows service.

I can access my service by http://localhost:9999 and http://myIPAddress:9999

But I cannot access my apache server from other computers. I searched on the internet, and found I should add a firewall inbound rule in its advanced settings.

1. Right click "Inbound Rules" on the left pane
2. Choose "New Rule"
3. Choose "Port"
4. Under "Specific ports" enter your port number (9999)
5. Continue with "Next" until the end of the wizard, naming the rule when asked.

After doing this, it still doesn't work!!

I have checked with "netstat -na" to see that: TCP 0.0.0.0:9999 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING

Then only method I find by far is turning off my windows firewall! But this is not preferred since the potential security risk.

Some online post refers to httpd.conf file. But my apache-tomcat have no such kind of fire.

Could someone give me some hints?

---

EDIT:

There are three places related to port number setting in the /conf/server.xml file.

<Server port="8005" shutdown="SHUTDOWN">

<Connector port="9999" protocol="HTTP/1.1" connectionTimeout="20000" redirectPort="8443" />// I change the 8080 to 9999 for my own use.

<Connector port="8009" protocol="AJP/1.3" redirectPort="8443" />

Solution

The 8080 is the tomcat port. Should allow the Tomcat on the firewall (it is not allowed by default)...

Firewall - Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall - Another program - browse Tomcat7.exe (i.e. c:\xampp\tomcat\bin\Tomcat7.exe) if you enabled it as a service or Tomcat7w.exe when it is not a service...

Hope this will help.

Comments

[Danila Ladner]

So when you turned your firewall off, it worked?

[Philip]

Eh, 9999 and 8009 aren't the same...

[Zack]

@DanilaLadner yes. if i turned off windows firewall, it will work fine. But this is not really secure for my own computer.

[Zack]

@ChrisS Sorry, it is a typo. 8009 is another port listening.

[tdk2fe]

So this is obviously an issue with the firewall - can you give your detailed configuration? It's difficult to answer without getting more details.

[Zack]

@tdk2fe what do you mean by detailed configuration? I EDIT my post to give the port configuration part of /conf/server.xml file.

[tdk2fe]

This has nothing to do with your tomcat configuration. Access is being blocked when you enable the firewall, and it's being allowed when the firewall is down.

[Zack]

What you mentioned here are all confirmed by me. I even checked the private, public, domain boxes. And the inbound rule is TCP 9999. It is enabled. This is really tough question.

[John W]

The issue is definitely in the firewall since it works when that is disabled. You also have some other ports listed such as 8009 and 8443, you may need to include these in ENABLED allow firewall rules with the appropriate interface, zone, subnet(s), etc...