Item14389: valid authority specifier does not work from behind a proxy server

When a server is behind a firewall and needs to use a proxy server to access external websites the valid authority specifier does not work.

In the config page, when you click Extensions=> Updates Plugin or Extensions => Extension operation and maintenance an error is shown "foswiki.org is not a valid authority specifier (hostname). Lookup returned: Name or service not known "

Updates work and extensions can be installed so this is not a valid error.

It appears the valid authority specifier is not making use of the {PROXY}{HOST} configuration directive.

• Screenshot of error:
  

-- EwanCormack - 03 May 2017

This particular check uses the gethostbyname perl function which calls the underlying host function to do a DNS lookup. It doesn't know anything about the proxy configuration, and I've been unable to see any way to pass the DNS requests through the Proxy.

-- GeorgeClark - 03 May 2017

As this is actually a check for a URL, the fact the host exists is kind of irrelevant.

Perhaps checking the URL with if (head($url)) may be more appropriate?

-- EwanCormack - 03 May 2017

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