socket_connect / fsockopen（）拒绝连接（111）

Question

I wrote a PHP script that simply connects to my C++ server via socket_connect() on a certain port that it's listening on. My C++ server can accept clients from C++ clients and other services, such as http:///canyouseeme.org which is a tool to check if the port you're using is open. These services work.

However, the PHP script which is run on HostGator no matter if the server is up or not, cannot connect to my C++ server and I have absolutely no idea why. Yes, I've unblocked the port via my router. This is the error:

Warning: socket_connect(): unable to connect [111]: Connection refused in /home4/user/public_html/porttest.php on line 15 socket_connection() failed. Reason: () Connection refused Closing socket.

Here's my PHP script:

<?php
  $host = "<EXTERNAL IP TO C++ SERVER HERE>";
  $port = "<TCP PORT C++ SERVER IS USING HERE>";

  /* Create a TCP/IP socket. */
  $socket = socket_create(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, SOL_TCP);
  if ($socket === false) {
      echo "socket_create() failed: reason: " . socket_strerror(socket_last_error()) . "
";
  } else {
      echo "SOCKET OK.
";
  }

  echo "Attempting Connection...";
  $result = socket_connect($socket, $host, $port);
  if($result == false){
    echo "socket_connection() failed.
Reason: ($result) " . socket_strerror(socket_last_error($socket)) . "
";
  }
  else{
    echo "CONNECTION OK.
";
  }

  socket_close($socket);
  echo "Closing socket.";
?>

My C++ server is run on Windows. I'm fairly certain the HostGator web server is run on Linux. Why can't it connect to my C++ server yet other services can? Does it has something to do with the fact I'm on a wireless connection?

HostGator technical support does not know what's wrong.