z39.50 connection to Library of Congress isn't working

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Article Type: General
Product: Aleph
Product Version: 16.02

Description:
Through util N/3/3 Check Target (z39_gate_client), we receive the error message in production v.16, apps-l.cuny.edu:
Target LOC is checked ...
ERROR: Z39.50 gate error: Connection refused by the Z39.50 target.

Resolution:
This was a firewall problem on the local server. I confirmed this by setting up 2 new Z39.50 gate definitions - USM01INT and USM01EXT. Both of these are configured to search the Z39.50 server (database=USM01) running on the same (local) machine. The two definitions are identical, except that USM01INT searches the database without addressing the IP address. It uses localhost instead. CUSM01EXT uses the IP apps.appl.cuny.edu.

This illustrated that the USM01INT can successfully connect and search using UTIL N/3/3. This indicates that the Z39.50 gate software is working correctly. However, when we try using USM01EXT, we get the standard 'Connection rejected by the Z39.50 database server' error.

Article last edited: 10/8/2013