Multisite with domain mapping and external subdomain – 404 error

  • Resolved brharrison

    (@brharrison)


    12 years, 1 month ago

    I’m sure the answer is out there somewhere – I’m just hoping that someone can point me in the right direction…

    Here’s the scenario:

    WP multisite (with subdomains) installed at smgclientblogs.com
    Subdomain site created – test.smgclientblogs.com
    Hosting at 1&1 (yes, I know that complicates things, but it is what it is for now…)
    mu-domain-mapping plugin installed and network activated

    For each subdomain (such as test), I’ve created a subdomain in the 1&1 control panel that points to the root installation – work-around for the lack of a wildcard DNS option from 1&1. Each of the sites work the way that they’re supposed to, and I’m able to access each site through the individual subdomain.

    Where I’m running into problems is with the domain mapping, and more specifically using an external subdomain.

    For testing purposes I created the subdomain newsite.idahoadagencies.com and added a CNAME record that points to smgclientblogs.com. In the admin for the site test.smgclientblogs.com (tools > domain mapping) I added newsite.idahoadagencies.com as a new domain.

    When I set that (newsite) as the primary domain, then try to visit the site, I get the following 404 error:

    Not Found

    The requested URL / was not found on this server.

    Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

    Also, if I try to go to test.smgclientblogs.com while newsite.idahoadagencies.com is set as the primary domain, ‘test’ redirects to ‘newsite’ (which is the way it is supposed to work, I believe), and I end up back at the 404 error.

    The wp_config.php and .htaccess files have all been updated according to directions, and I’m out of ideas.

    Any direction or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    12 years, 1 month ago

    After you added the CNAME record but BEFORE you mapped in WP, did you happen to test where it went?

    Thread Starter brharrison

    (@brharrison)

    12 years, 1 month ago

    I didn’t.

    But I can try it with a different subdomain, if that might help narrow down where the problem is. I’ll create one, add the CNAME record, but won’t map it in WP yet.

    Thread Starter brharrison

    (@brharrison)

    12 years, 1 month ago

    I created a new external subdomain (tester.idahoadagencies.com) and added a CNAME record to point to smgclientblogs.com.

    I pinged the subdomain, and it returns the correct IP address – the same one as smgclientblogs.com. I have not mapped the subdomain in WP, and when I try to go to the subdomain URL I get the same 404 error message as above.

    Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    12 years, 1 month ago

    If you’re getting the same error, then it’s not WordPress (which would be giving you your WP 404 error).

    I swear I’m forgetting something bloody obvious, like you have to add the CNAME on the DNS that runs smgclientblogs.com…

    aces

    (@aces)

    12 years, 1 month ago

    Have you tried clearing the browser cache for that domain?

    I have just wasted hours on a similar situation ( also on 1and1 ) and that was the solution…..

    Thread Starter brharrison

    (@brharrison)

    12 years, 1 month ago

    I was able to figure out a work-around to get things working. It was mainly a DNS issue and me not understanding everything clearly…

    Here’s what I did to make it work:

    I added an external domain to my account using these directions that I found in the 1&1 support FAQs – How do I add an external domain that uses my own name servers (DNS)? (Pretty sure that missing this step originally was the root of all of the problems).

    Once that was done, I added a subdomain for that external domain in the 1&1 account.

    Once that was all set up, the external subdomain knew where to go and what to do, and all appears to be working as it should.

    Thanks for the help and advice Ipstenu. Much appreciated.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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