my proxy server isn't visible from outside of the network

Question

I'm writing an http proxy server (homework assignment). I got it working on my home network but i can't connect to it from the outside.
I've configured the router to forward communication on the port i use to the machine running the server, turned off windows firewall and entered my outside real-world ip in the brwoser's proxy settings. Is there anything else i should do ?

UPDATE:
turns out the problem was with the address to which i was binding the server. When I used "localhost" it didn't work, once i removed it and only supplied the port, the server was bound to some default address and everything started working. What address should have i used ?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I would hook up wireshark on the WAN and LAN side of your firewall (does not have to be simultaneous). Do you see your packets on both sides? Does it look as expected? Next use wireshark on the server with the proxy... same questions.

This will isolate where the problem(s) are.

Answer 2

Generally, the router/firewall's rules prevent internal computers from accessing internal servers via the router/firewall's external IP-address.

To test this sort of setup, I use a separate external network connection (e.g. a laptop with a tethered 3G phone and with RJ45, Bluetooth, USB-modems and WiFi disconnected).

Answer 3

turns out the problem was with the address to which i was binding the server. When I used "localhost" it didn't work, once i removed it and only supplied the port, the server was bound to some default address and everything started working