[Bug]: HerdHelper can't reach network

[vaibhavsulake]

Platform

Windows

Operating system version

Windows 11 (23H2 22631.4169)

System architecture

Windows

Herd Version

1.10.0

PHP Version

No response

Bug description

It seems that the HTTP server is failing to start due to a network location issue. I have verified that the configuration file exists and that the port (5000) is available. However, the error persists, and I’m unable to proceed further. 1) I tried using different ports, but unfortunately, I am still encountering the same error across all ports. 2) I also turned off the firewall and antivirus to rule out any network restrictions, but the issue persists. Before the Windows update, the system was functioning properly. However, after the update, the port status turned red, indicating a problem.

Steps to reproduce

No response

Relevant log output

2024-09-16 12:09:13.481 +05:30 [DBG] Hosting starting
2024-09-16 12:09:13.527 +05:30 [INF] Config path: C:\ProgramData\Herd\service.json.
2024-09-16 12:09:13.528 +05:30 [INF] Config file with port exists, using port: 5000.
2024-09-16 12:09:13.529 +05:30 [INF] Application started. Hosting environment: Production; Content root path: C:\Users\ASUS\.config\herd\bin\
2024-09-16 12:09:13.530 +05:30 [DBG] Hosting started
2024-09-16 12:09:13.543 +05:30 [ERR] An error occurred while starting the HTTP server: The network location cannot be reached. For information about network troubleshooting, see Windows Help.

[sschlein]

Hey, as described also via email, this is likely a firewall or port conflict issue. Here's some AI assistance how you could debug that. I've removed everything that's software related because the service is working on many machines and so it needs to be a configuration issue on your device. Please also take them with a graint of salt and only run commands that are good for your system.

---

Debugging Steps for HTTP Server Error on Single PC

You're encountering the following error on one specific PC:

An error occurred while starting the HTTP server: The network location cannot be reached. For information about network troubleshooting, see Windows Help

Here are steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Verify the Binding Address

• Check the HTTP Server Configuration:
  • Ensure the server is configured to bind to a valid IP address or hostname.
  • If it's set to bind to localhost or 127.0.0.1, make sure these are correctly mapped in the hosts file.
  • If binding to a specific IP address, confirm that the IP is assigned to an active network interface on the PC.

2. Check Network Interfaces

• List Network Interfaces:
  • Open Command Prompt and run ipconfig /all to view all network interfaces and their IP addresses.
• Verify Adapter Status:
  • Ensure all necessary network adapters are enabled and functioning properly.
  • Look for any disabled adapters or hardware issues.

3. Review Firewall and Security Software

• Temporarily Disable Firewall:
  • Disable Windows Firewall to see if it is blocking the HTTP server.
• Check Antivirus Software:
  • Some security programs may block network services; ensure the HTTP server is allowed.
• Add Exceptions:
  • If the firewall is the issue, add an exception for the HTTP server application and the specific port it uses.

4. Check for Port Conflicts

• Identify Used Ports:
  • Run netstat -ano to list all active connections and listening ports.
• Look for Conflicts:
  • Ensure the port required by the HTTP server is not already in use by another application.
• Change Port if Necessary:
  • If a conflict exists, either stop the conflicting application or configure the HTTP server to use a different port.

5. Examine IPv6/IPv4 Settings

• Verify Network Protocols:
  • Ensure that IPv4 and/or IPv6 are enabled and properly configured on the network adapters.
• Adjust Server Settings:
  • If the server is trying to bind to an IPv6 address but IPv6 is disabled, enable IPv6 or configure the server to use an IPv4 address.

6. Check the Hosts File

• Edit Hosts File:
  • Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
  • Ensure entries for localhost are present and not commented out:

    127.0.0.1       localhost
    ::1             localhost

7. Review Network Policies and Settings

• Check Group Policies:
  • Use gpedit.msc to see if any policies are restricting network access.
• Network Profile:
  • Ensure the network is set to the correct profile (Private or Domain) to allow necessary network communication.

8. Consult Event Logs

• Open Event Viewer:
  • Go to Windows Logs > Application and System to look for related errors.
• Identify Relevant Errors:
  • Look for any warnings or errors that coincide with the time the HTTP server attempts to start.

9. Update Network Drivers

• Device Manager:
  • Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
• Update Drivers:
  • Right-click each adapter and select Update driver.
• Reinstall if Necessary:
  • Uninstall and reinstall network adapters if updating doesn't resolve the issue.

10. Reset Network Stack

• Run Network Reset Commands:
  • Open Command Prompt as administrator and execute:

    netsh winsock reset
    netsh int ip reset
    ipconfig /flushdns

• Restart the PC:
  • Reboot the computer to apply changes.

11. Test Network Connectivity

• Ping Loopback Address:
  • Run ping 127.0.0.1 to verify the loopback interface is operational.
• Ping Specific IP Address:
  • If binding to a specific IP, ping that IP to ensure it's reachable.

---

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing the HTTP server to fail on this specific PC.