Making your station available online - the dreaded NAK error

Note: If you don't want Internet users to hear your station, stop now - you're done.
Many first-time SHOUTcasters find this process to be the most difficult when setting up their station. You must read this very carefully, or your station will not work.

What can interfere with reception of your station
Several things can prevent Internet users from tuning in to your station. Here is a list of the ones you can fix:

• PC software that block ports (Security and Firewall software)
• Routers that block ports
• Modems that block ports

What you can't fix:

• An ISP that blocks ports

How do you know when your station is working?
The DNAS (SHOUTcast) logfile tells you everything. It's important to know how to access it. The best method is via the DNAS console on your computer (You know- the thing that pops up when you first run the SHOUTcast exe).

The most telling entry in the DNAS logfile that your station isn't reachable from the internet is the following error:

[yp_add] yp.shoutcast.com gave error (nak)
[yp_add] yp.shoutcast.com gave extended error (Cannot see your station/computer (IP: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8000) from the Internet, disable Internet Sharing/NAT/firewall/ISP cache (Connection refused).

This is known as the NAK error, and asking about it on the SHOUTcast forums is not a good idea. So how do you prevent and/or fix this error?

We're going to walk you through a series of tests. If you pass each test, proceed immediately to the next one...

Test Number One - Can You Access your DNAS Web Page?
If you can't see your DNAS, then online users never will. Click the link below from a browser running on your DNAS PC.

http://127.0.0.1:8000

What happens? If you're lucky, you'll see the following:

If you see that page, immediately proceed to test 2

If you do not see that page, make sure your SHOUTcast DNAS is running! (Check for the icon in your system tray). If it isn't running, launch it Start... Programs... SHOUTcast DNAS... SHOUTcast DNAS (GUI) and try again.

If it is running, you have software on your PC that is blocking ports. Nobody but you knows what is running on your PC.

If you have a router, disable PC-based firewalls
If you have a router (LinkSys, D-Link, NetGear etc) or a DSL Modem, you can probably safely disable PC-based firewalls. The router and/or modem is a firewall. To turn off the built-in XP firewall, go to properties of your Network Connection, and find the tab that deals with the firewall. Turn it off.
1) Reboot.
2) Restart DNAS
3) Restart Winamp
4) Re-try this link: http://127.0.0.1:8000

If it still doesn't display the page above, you have other software to disable. Common products include:

• Cybersitter

• Norton Internet Security

• ZoneAlarm

• ... Many more

Uninstall these products, then...

1) Reboot.
2) Restart DNAS
3) Restart Winamp
4) Re-try this link: http://127.0.0.1:8000

If you do not have a router, configure PC-based firewalls.
If you do not have a hardware firewall, then simply disabling software firewalls is not an option. You will need to configure the software you are using for security, and/or the built-in XP firewall, to allow TCP Port 8000 and 8001. Consult the software help files and the manufacturer's website for more information. Once you have configured your software firewall...

1) Reboot.
2) Restart DNAS
3) Restart Winamp
4) Re-try this link: http://127.0.0.1:8000

By now, either it works or you do not have the technical expertise to proceed. If you're stuck, it's time to call in a friend, family member or neighbor to help you.

If you are seeing the DNAS status page at this point, it's time to run Test 2.