Apache on Ubuntu

Yes, what kind of computer do you have? You can put the IP address and hostname into your "hosts" file to trick the local machine into sending all of your requests to the IP address with the proper Host: header.

For example, on the Mac you would edit your /etc/hosts file and add:

12.34.56.78   domain.com
12.34.56.78   domain2.com
etc.

where '12.34.56.78' is the IP address and you're basically overriding the actual DNS.

I typically don't like to just put a link up for an answer, but this has all you need in order to accomplish that:

http://www.rackspace.com/knowledge_center/article/how-do-i-modify-my-hosts-file

Cheers,

Mike

Is this through SSH?
Are you logged in as an admin user? Can you use sudo to open to the file
sudo vi file.conf

Also, the IP addresses for the specific websites should be in the conf files for the virtual hosts.  

- gurutc

Mike,

That's really smart - so I'm not sure why its not working......  I've tried the domain with and without the 'www' in the hosts file.  I've flushed the DNS and can confirm that a 'ping' returns the IP address that I've put in the host file.

When I open a browser, it returns to 'names.co.uk which is where the domain is now hosted!

Sorry, but any ideas?

It looks like the sites were sharing the same IP address and were being distinguished by the host header.  So you also need to add host records to your hosts file like so:


12.34.56.78   domain.com
12.34.56.78   domain2.com

12.34.56.78   www.domain.com
12.34.56.78   www.domain2.com

Good Luck,
gurutc

Is this question how to move files or how to setup virtual domains.
What is the point of modifying your own hosts file? If the DNS is not working then your domain/s in essence do not exist and you can only access the default domain on the server via the IP of the server (which you have found out to be names.co.uk).
So forget all this rubbish about modifying your hosts file.

It sounds like you need to set up new nameservers somewhere else, who is responsible for your domain registration?  Is the same company that was hosting your nameservers?

sorry, I see you've done the hosts thing.

Are you sure your server was only listening on one address?

You can also make your server believe the domains exist by editing the server's host file as well.  That will make them 'exist'

You could try this to make sure the server is listening on only one IP:

netstat  -tanpu | grep ":80 "

- gurutc

Hello!
The nameserver that was running the DNS management has been shut down

As far as the world is concerned the domains no longer exist!

cathal said:

So forget all this rubbish about modifying your hosts file.

I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. Apache will respond to the Host: header regardless of whether the DNS exists publicly. This is the oldest trick in the Web developer's book.

Cheers,

Mike

Who cares if you can send an header and get to the website through a browser.  What has that got to do with his DNS problems or getting access to the server

@cathal,

That's what he's trying to do. Re-read his question. He said "and I need to access the web sites." and "If I navigate to the ip address of the server I can see one of the web sites but can't access the others." That leads me to believe that he wants access to the sites via a browser. He already has SSH access. Perhaps I am wrong, but that is how I read the question.

The /etc/hosts file will allow him to circumvent DNS altogether. No DNS lookups are ever made, so the fact that there is no public DNS for the sites is irrelevant.

Mike,

I can confirm that you did understand the question absolutely correctly, I am trying to get to a web site that is on the old server so I can copy it to a new location.

Although I haven't managed to do this I suspect - as you suggest - there is a problem with the apache.....

Anyway, your advice was sensible and clear so I have awarded the points accordingly - many thanks.