URLs to unblock in a firewall

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Level 1

38 points

URLs to unblock in a firewall

What specific URLs should be unblocked in a network firewall for access to the iTunes Store from iOS devices and iTunes software?

A very dated article from 2009 (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1379) suggests these:

itunes.apple.com
ax.itunes.apple.com
albert.apple.com
gs.apple.com

However, this is NOT an exhaustive list. iTunes Store access still does not work properly, even with these sites unblocked.

Another post here recommends including phobos.apple.com. That still doesn't make everything work.

I've even allowed all apple.com sites, and that also doesn't work. I believe the issue is with the third party content distributors Apple is using, such as Akamai.

Anyone have any better ideas on this, or know how we can get Apple to update their outdated support document on this?

Thanks.

Posted on Sep 30, 2013 11:56 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Sep 30, 2013 1:04 PM in response to GuyOnTheAir

Those domains are still current according to this article updated just last month:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3204

If allowing all apple.com sites still isn't working, something's amiss with your firewall. You might try the network diagnostics mentioned in that article and see if that provides any clues.

Regards.

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Answer 2

GuyOnTheAir Author

Level 1

38 points

Oct 4, 2013 8:25 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for locating a more current article. But, again, this doesn't really resolve the issue, no does "something's amiss with your firewall." I've seen this exact situation at more than one site, with more than one firewall. My investigation seems to point to CDN providers for Apple.

Will try the network diagnostics you've mentioned next time I see the the problem.

Thanks.

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