XP SP2 changes localhost 127.0.0.1 usage

[iantresman]

Before Service Pack 2, not only 127.0.0.1, but also 127.0.0.x would provide access to the 'localhost'. Anyone know how I can re-enable 127.0.0.x as my local hosts?

I use the extra addresses with Apache to point to different test Web sites on my Windows PC using Virtualhosts in httpd.conf (Since I am not using domain names, I made no changes to the Windows hosts file), for example:

<virtualhost 127.0.0.22>
ServerName localhost
ServerAdmin admin@localhost
DocumentRoot "C:\web\test"
</virtualhost>

Regards,
Ian Tresman

I thought XP did this prior to SP2 ?

I'm sure if you ping 127.0.0.22 it comes back with 127.0.0.1 - I'll have to try it later as nothing at work is XP.

[iantresman]

Originally Posted by iantresman

Before Service Pack 2, not only 127.0.0.1, but also 127.0.0.x would provide access to the 'localhost'. Anyone know how I can re-enable 127.0.0.x as my local hosts?

This may be the cause, though as of now, it is not online yet. But it maybe by the time your read this.
---------------------------------------------
From: Greg Lirette [MSFT]
Date: 2004-08-14 22:19:13 PST
Subject: Windows XP SP2 may be unable to make TCP connections to loopback address other than 127.0.0.1
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.platformsdk.networking

With Windows XP SP2 some applications which connect to the loop back address range may not function as expected. This is because Windows XP SP2 prevents connections to the loop back address range for any address other than 127.0.0.1.

Microsoft support has an update available which addresses this issue and is available by calling Microsoft support. Reference the fix for KB 884020 [Search here].

The fix contains the following file info
13-Aug-2004 22:50 5.1.2600.2505 359,040 Tcpip.sys

Thank you,
Greg Lirette
Microsoft Corporation Critical Problem Resolution
---------------------------------------------

[iantresman]

Originally Posted by iantresman

Microsoft support has an update available which addresses this issue and is available by calling Microsoft support. Reference the fix for KB 884020 [Search here].

So I called, and was eventually sent a link to a "hotfix":

Hotfix file: ms-hotfix-196897_ENU_i386_zip.exe
Contains:    WindowsXP-KB884020-x86-enu.exe         (Run this file to install)
Also has:    WindowsXP-KB884020-x86-Symbols-enu.exe (for debugging purposes).

Installation set-up a restore point, and required restarting my PC to finish.

And I'm pleased to say that this fixes the problem. I now have restored access to loopback localhost addresses, 127.0.0.1, 127.0.0.5, etc.

Regards,
Ian Tresman