Resolving Connection Errors with IP Whitelisting

Experiencing sudden connection errors when integrating external platforms with your live site can disrupt operations. A common cause for such issues is a 404 error triggered by an IP address that has not been whitelisted. This error prevents successful data fetching and can halt operations, as the connection to the server is effectively blocked.

Understanding the Issue:

The error typically appears when trying to fetch order data from an external platform, and the server rejects the request because the source IP is not recognized or trusted. This situation was noted with error messages indicating "Invalid XML orders content" due to an unhandled HTML structure that appears when the request is denied.

How to Resolve:

1. Identify the IP Address:
   • Ensure that you have the correct IP address that needs access. For example, an IP to be whitelisted could be 18.220.101.178.
2. Request IP Whitelisting:
   • Contact the administrator of the platform you are trying to connect with and request them to whitelist the IP address mentioned. Provide them with the IP and explain the necessity due to repeated 404 errors.
3. Whitelisting Process:
   • The administrator on the other platform should add your IP to their list of accepted IP addresses. This process involves updating their server’s firewall or security settings to recognize and allow incoming data requests from your IP.
4. Testing the Connection:
   • Once your IP has been whitelisted, attempt to reconnect or fetch the data again. Monitor the system for any further errors and ensure the connection is stable and functioning as intended.

By ensuring your IP address is whitelisted, you can restore and maintain a stable connection, allowing uninterrupted data integration and operations. This proactive approach helps minimize downtime and improves the reliability of your inter-platform communications.