External XML Feed -- Server configuration issue?

jonesRG

Hello, all. I'm currently building my company's intranet site, and I'm trying to use an XML news feed to make a news ticker across the bottom. However, it seems as though my server is unable to connect to outside sources.

Here's a sample of the error message I'm receiving:

Code:

<?
$feed = fopen("http://www.newsisfree.com/HPE/xml/feeds/15/2315.xml", "r");
echo $feed;
?>

Error:

Warning: fopen(http://www.newsisfree.com/HPE/xml/feeds/15/2315.xml) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Connection refused in /www/zendcore/htdocs/Intranet/slideshownewsfeed2_bottom.php on line 21

I've tried changing allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen to on in the php.ini file, but that hasn't helped. I've also tried using cUrl, and even a simple include, both of which gave me a similar error message.

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

Thanks in advance!

jonesRG

Also, I've tried multiple news sources, so I don't think that's the problem. This one is just the last one I tried before I gave up.

NogDog

To access files via URL you will need allow_url_fopen to be turned on. allow_url_include should remain off unless you really, really need to include files via URL (which is insecure and seldom if ever really needed). After changing the allow_url_fopen setting, did you restart the web server?

Alternatively, you can use the [man]cURL[/man] functions to retrieve the file, which does not depend upon the allow_url_fopen setting at all.

jonesRG

NogDog;10906454 wrote:
To access files via URL you will need allow_url_fopen to be turned on. allow_url_include should remain off unless you really, really need to include files via URL (which is insecure and seldom if ever really needed). After changing the allow_url_fopen setting, did you restart the web server?

Alternatively, you can use the [man]cURL[/man] functions to retrieve the file.

Yes, allow_url_fopen is enabled, and I did restart the server and confirm via phpinfo that the changes took effect.

And as I mentioned, cUrl didn't work for me either. It gave me a similar "failed to open stream: Connection refused" error, which is why I wonder if there's a server issue, rather than a PHP config issue.

jonesRG

Anyone? Bueller? I really need to get this sucker working... :queasy:

NogDog

From the error message it sounds more like a networking issue than a PHP issue, so you might want to check with your network admin to see if maybe it's a firewall issue or such (not my area of expertise -- if I have one at all).