The time limit thing cannot be resolved -- blocking operations such as downloading data do not get counted in the time limit, so it's not even an issue. There are other time limits but PHP cannot really monitor them.
With regards firewalls, an error is already produced, but it is now clearer as to why a server connection might not have worked (lists possibilities).
With regards firewalls, an error is already produced, but it is now clearer as to why a server connection might not have worked (lists possibilities).