Sitecore DMS : Set up Maxmind Webservice for Geo IP Lookup

Sitecore out of the box uses Maxmind Web Service Provider for its Geo IP Lookup , In this post we will go over the process of setting up Maxmind with Sitecore.

STEP 1 : Purchase Maxmind IP lookups 

The first step would be purchasing MaxMind-Sitecore Integrated Web Service Queries through this link. The cost of 500,000 lookups is about $400, but you could purchase as little as 62,500 queries for $50.

STEP 2 : Generate License Key

The License key consists of 22 Digits which are further broken down into 14 Digits Sitecore License ID and 8 Digits Numeric Security Key, The default value of the 8 digit security key is “Eight Zeroes”. 

The 14 digit Sitecore License ID can be found on your Sitecore Page as shown in the image below

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The 8 Digit security key can be configured by clicking here on the Maxmind site

Step 3 : Testing your 22 Digits License Key

Once you have configured the license key we will now test if sitecore is appropriately working with maxmind

Navigate to this URL : http://sitecore1.maxmind.com/app/sc?i={IP Address to Lookup}&l={22 Digits License Key}

{IP Address to Lookup} : Enter the IP Address you are trying to lookup
{22 Digits License Key} : Enter the License key configured in Step 2

The format of the maxmind response is defined by the “MaxMind.Format” setting in the Sitecore.Analytics config file

The default response would be in this format “Country,Region,City,PostalCode,Latitude,Longitude,MetroCode,AreaCode,Isp,Owner,Error” 

A successful look up should return something like this (See image below)

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The response below would indicate an issue with the security key which either can be incorrect license ID or Incorrect security key

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The response below would indicate that the IP address which you are trying to look up is either an Private IP , Restricted IP or Maxmind does not have data about the supplied IP address.You may also receive this error if you do not supply an IP address at all

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For more information about the formats please visit this link on maxmind website

Step 4 : Modify Sitecore.Analytics config file with the 8 Digit Security Key

Navigate to this setting  “MaxMind.SecurityToken” in your Sitecore.Analytics config file and replace the value “00000000” to your 8 digits security code

Now your Sitecore is set up with Maxmind Web Service Lookup

Should you have any questions, Please do not hesitate to comment or email me at sjain@horizontalintegration.com