How to get access to webpack- dev -server from devices in local network?

To access the application hosted by webpack-dev-server from devices on the local network, configure and access it using the following steps:

Step 1: Configure webpack-dev-server

First, ensure that the webpack-dev-server configuration allows access from other devices on the network. This can be achieved by modifying the devServer settings in the webpack configuration file:

js
// webpack.config.js
module.exports = {
  // Other configurations...
  devServer: {
    host: '0.0.0.0', // Listen on all network interfaces
    publicPath: '/',
    compress: true,
    port: 8080, // Use any available port
    disableHostCheck: true, // Disables hostname check, which can resolve certain issues but may introduce security risks
    headers: {
      'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
    },
    // Other server configurations...
  },
};

Step 2: Determine the Server's IP Address

After starting the service, identify the IP address of the machine hosting the webpack-dev-server on the local network. Use the following commands in the command line to find the IP address:

• On Windows:

  cmd
  ipconfig

• On macOS or Linux:

  bash
  ifconfig

Look for an address similar to 192.168.x.x.

Step 3: Access from Other Devices

On other devices on the same network, open a browser and enter the IP address and port of the webpack-dev-server found in Step 2. For example, if the IP address is 192.168.1.5 and the port is 8080, enter the following URL in the browser address bar:

shell
http://192.168.1.5:8080

Example

For instance, in my company's development environment, I need to ensure that my colleagues can view real-time changes to the frontend pages I'm developing on their devices. I would follow the above steps to set up my webpack-dev-server, then instruct them to enter my machine's IP address and port, such as http://192.168.1.5:8080, so they can see my development progress and provide real-time feedback.

Important Notes

• Ensure that network security settings permit communication between devices.
• Using disableHostCheck: true may introduce security risks; use it only in fully trusted network environments.
• Keep the port open only during development; avoid using it in production environments.

By following this setup and the steps below, you can easily access and test the application hosted by webpack-dev-server from any device on the local network, thereby improving development efficiency and collaboration convenience.