Can't Access ANY url from python (errno 61)

[MattB]

On Feb 19, 7:20 pm, MattB <mattbar... at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Feb 19, 6:02 pm, "Martin P. Hellwig" <martin.hell... at dcuktec.org>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On 02/19/10 21:48, MattB wrote:
>
> > > Hey all,
>
> > > I've been working on a program that accesses my school's password
> > > protected website and downloads directory names. I'm using mechanize.
>
> > > Recently, the program has been unable to open the website, returning
> > > the 'errno 61 connection refused' error. I presume the school's server
> > > was blocking me because of many automated logins.
>
> > Being a former school BOFH, I can assure you that if I was annoyed by
> > your 'misuse' I would have tracked you down and made you aware of it.
>
> > > However, it turns out that I cannot now open ANY url from within
> > > Python on my computer using mechanize (or urllib for that matter).
> > > And I've tried in several places -- my place, a friend's place (who
> > > also has comcast as an ISP) and the school -- but no dice, constant
> > > errno 61's whenever I try to open a url.
>
> > As mentioned by Jonathan Gardener, this is most likely a proxy gateway.
>
> > > The strangest thing about this is that firefox still works flawlessly
> > > on any site.
>
> > Your system might have been centrally configure so that applications are
> > aware of the proxy, firefox probably has been piggybacking on those
> > settings (as it should). Most platforms can be made aware of a proxy by
> > a DHCP option send by the DHCP server (that is when you automatically
> > get an IP address).
>
> > > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
> > > Matt
>
> > Google a bit around how you can figure out (from inside your script)
> > whether your used platform has a proxy configured and how to use it with
> > your application.
>
> > Good luck!
>
> > --
> > mph
>
> Hey all,
>
> I've used httpfox to identify the precise headers being sent by
> firefox, and then added them to my program using br.addheaders(), as
> per the proper mechanize syntax. No dice. (In fact, these headers were
> in the program when I ran it successfully from my friend's computer at
> his apartment). So I'm pretty sure it's not a header issue.
>
> I'll check and see whether firefox and my system are using a proxy.
>
> Also, based on Martin's comment, I just wanted to make you all aware
> that I intend no misuse, but rather am just trying to learn, as I'm a
> programming noob. I am not doing anything that I can't do myself from
> firefox (ie, I have an account at the school, and am allowed to sign
> on with my name and password and look up information in the student
> directory). If I do it for more than one student, it just becomes
> repetitive, so I thought this was a first modest goal in learning to
> do some programming.)
>
> That said, I'm happy to discontinue the attempts, but I'd like to know
> how it is that my computer (unless using firefox) is completely
> blocked from opening urls from within python. (And how to fix it).
>
> Thanks for the continued help.

Breakthrough:

I tried switching from a wireless connection to my router, and instead
used an ethernet connection -- and now everything works.

Why would this make a difference? MAC address? Is it possible for an
external server to see my MAC address and block it? Clearly wasn't an
IP address issue!