What causes "can't find server" errors for well known sites?

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Geektastic

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#154000 15-Oct-2014 08:44

General question about t'internet.

Sometimes I try to go to a site belonging to, say, a well known organisation. Address etc 100% correct.

Then I get a message saying the site cannot be opened because the browser cannot find the server XXXX.co.nz or whatever it may be.

Why?

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1154109 15-Oct-2014 08:53

ISP's route failed, DNS not responding, CDN issue, could be multiple reasons really....

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Geektastic

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#1154111 15-Oct-2014 08:54

So as a user, what do you do? Just wait?

timmmay

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#1154115 15-Oct-2014 09:02

Yep.

hairy1

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#1154124 15-Oct-2014 09:13

Are you running custom DNS? Unblock US or similar? If so go back to ISP assigned DNS and see what happens. That will eliminate DNS issues.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

xpd

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#1154128 15-Oct-2014 09:15

Pretty much... can try an alternative DNS or proxy, which will at least establish if its everyone or just your ISP.
If after an hour still no luck, Id potentially contact my ISP to look into it.

But havent had that happen yet....well, not to a site I really want to be on anyway.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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johnr

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#1154131 15-Oct-2014 09:17

Loads of reasons why like xDSL sync dropping or WiFi dropping out

Geektastic

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#1154314 15-Oct-2014 11:42

johnr: Loads of reasons why like xDSL sync dropping or WiFi dropping out

It won't be wifi as I am on an ethernet connection on the machine that prompted the question.

Could be the other - but other websites worked so possibly not?

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rugrat

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#1154500 15-Oct-2014 15:00

This is a good site when you can't reach a web site.

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com

Just put in web address of site not working into it and it will tell you if the site is down for everyone or just for you. Sometimes a site is down for maintenance.

Hammerer

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#1154507 15-Oct-2014 15:16

Which ISP? Is there a service outage reported on their site? Or do they have other users with known issues?

PS I should also have asked how you're connected because that can make a difference if Vodafone cable.

Geektastic

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#1155542 15-Oct-2014 16:58

Hammerer: Which ISP? Is there a service outage reported on their site? Or do they have other users with known issues?

PS I should also have asked how you're connected because that can make a difference if Vodafone cable.

VF VDSL using copper.

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#1155610 15-Oct-2014 18:47

I have noticed a similar thing with ethernet over ufb with another provider, I am going to open a ticket.

michaelmurfy

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#1155621 15-Oct-2014 19:00

What is your subnet address? Sometimes I've noticed these with poorly subnetted networks (for example, using 255.0.0.0) on a non-standard IP range.

Another possibility is your MTU is incorrect.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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gzt

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#1155730 15-Oct-2014 22:11

Which browser are you using?

I think Chrome may give better error descriptions.

Geektastic

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#1155740 15-Oct-2014 22:36

gzt: Which browser are you using?

I think Chrome may give better error descriptions.

Safari

Geektastic

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#1155741 15-Oct-2014 22:37

michaelmurfy: What is your subnet address? Sometimes I've noticed these with poorly subnetted networks (for example, using 255.0.0.0) on a non-standard IP range.

Another possibility is your MTU is incorrect.

Gosh darn it! Now I am going to have to Google subnet and MTU!!

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