Forum OpenACS Q&A: Response to Can't connect to aolserver

It seems your nsd proces isn't running or you have firewalled yourself out or,...

Look at the basics
$ ps auxw | grep nsd

is the /uss/loacl/aolserver/bin/nsd running? (your path may differ it depends on, well, lots a factors)

is there a socket open on the interface at TCP port 8000?
$ netstat -na | grep 8000

This would help in helping you.