Solving Apache2 Connection Issues with localhost and 127.0.0.1 in Docker

Описание: Discover how to fix the error "This site can't be reached" when accessing Apache2 on `127.0.0.1` alongside SSL configuration issues in Docker.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/65680780/ asked by the user 'Maverick' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/391232/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/65714860/ provided by the user 'Maverick' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/391232/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Apache2 "localhost" works but for 127.0.0.1 I get "This site can’t be reached refused to connect". SSL also returns authorization error

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

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Troubleshooting Apache2 Connection Issues in Docker

When setting up an Apache2 server in Docker, many users encounter frustrating connectivity issues when trying to access their local server using either localhost or 127.0.0.1. This problem can manifest as a refusal to connect error specifically when using 127.0.0.1. In this guide, we’ll explore the causes of this issue and walk you through the steps to resolve it.

The Problem: Can't Connect to 127.0.0.1

Users often find that they can successfully access their server at http://localhost:80, but when trying http://127.0.0.1:80 they receive a message saying:

"This site can’t be reached. Refused to connect."

Moreover, attempting to access the site via HTTPS could result in a 403 HTTP ERROR, indicating that access is denied even after proper configuration of SSL.

Understanding the Root Causes

When running Apache2 under Docker on a service like WSL2, there are a few common issues that can lead to this problem:

Incorrect Host File Entry: The hosts file must have the local domain correctly configured.

SSL Configuration: Misconfiguration of SSL certificates can lead to errors accessing the site.

Apache Configuration Issues: Improper directives in Apache's configuration files, particularly with Virtual Hosts and SSL parameters.

Step-by-Step Solutions

Let’s break down the solution into organized steps to resolve both the connectivity and SSL issues.

Step 1: Update Your Hosts File

Your local hosts file needs to accurately reflect the local domain you are using. Here’s how to change it:

Navigate to C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.

Replace the old entry:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This change resolves the issue for accessing via dev-asusrog.com.

Step 2: Adjust SSL Settings

To ensure your server correctly handles SSL:

Locate the ssl-params.conf file in your Apache configuration.

Comment out or disable SSL stapling by adding the following line:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Install SSL Certificates

For your self-signed SSL certificate to work properly:

Install the server.crt certificate into the Windows Trusted Root Certification Authorities.

Ensure your Dockerfile copies SSL certificates correctly and enables necessary configurations:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Check Apache Configuration

Make sure the default-ssl.conf file is properly set up with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve connectivity issues on 127.0.0.1 and improve your SSL configuration. This guide serves as a helpful resource for anyone facing similar problems while running Apache2 in Docker.

If you have further questions or additional issues, feel free to reach out for more troubleshooting assistance!

Best Regards,