iTunes can't verify the identity of the server xx.xxx.xxx.xxx

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DJH2007 Author

Level 1

10 points

iTunes can't verify the identity of the server xx.xxx.xxx.xxx

I've recently set up a MacMiniServer to run iTunes as my home media server, and although I've got it working pretty well, it routinely gives me the error:
"iTunes can't verify the identity of the server xx.xxx.xxx.xxx" (where x is various numbers).

Any idea what this could be? It doesn't seem to matter whether I click Cancel or OK in terms of the server performance but the frequent appearance of the message is disrupting syncs etc.

Thanks,

iPhone 3GS 16GB (3.1) / iMac 2.8ghz 3GB/ MBP 13" 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.2), AEBS (dual band), TimeCapsule 2TB, Airport Express

Posted on Mar 18, 2011 4:04 PM

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Answer 1

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MrHoffman

Community+ 2024

Level 10

116,475 points

Mar 18, 2011 4:37 PM in response to DJH2007

Launch Terminal.app and issue the command:

sudo changeip -checkhostname

You'll have to enter an administrative password for the sudo command. You will then see some output and a message that DNS is valid and no changes are required, or a message that there are DNS errors and changes are required.

Those digits might be interesting to post, too, particularly if they are IP address(es) of Apple servers.

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Answer 2

DJH2007 Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 20, 2011 2:33 PM in response to MrHoffman

Hi

The reason I didn't post the numbers is that I wasn't sure if that was the IP address of the macminiserver that I'd just set up (possibly incorrectly) and so in case I'd left it wide open to the outside world I guessed it wasn't wise to post it on the internet.

Let me know if there's a way that I can post more information here to get better help without presenting myself with a security risk

Thanks,

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Answer 3

Mar 20, 2011 2:58 PM in response to DJH2007

If you're shy about advertising addresses and such (and in IPv4-land, the botnets already routinely scan every IP address that's available and usable, etc), then call in some off-line support and have the vendor of your preference look at the box and the configuration.

And I'd also suggest investing in a decent low- to mid-range server-grade external gateway-firewall box, either commercial or open-source. But I digress...

I'm here assuming a NAT'd private LAN...

If the changeip command diagnostics report a DNS translation failure, then you have a DNS issue, and that can potentially be addressed.

As for translating the IP addresses, you can look those up yourself. If you're not familiar with translating IP host names, then launch Terminal.app and issue the command +dig -x ip.host.address.here+ and see if it comes back to an Apple domain or (possibly) Akamai or other content provider. (IIRC, the Applications > Utilities > Network Utility tool can also perform this translation, if you prefer the GUI.)

If the IP addresses are in any of the 192.168.0.0-192.168.255.255 or 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255 or 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255 blocks, then it's not a public address, it's private, and the address would only translate back to the host name from the DNS server(s) operating on your (assumed private, NAT'd) network.

You do need to have DNS services working on your LAN, or various weirdnesses can ensue.

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