Unexplained connection trouble.

[bEjaC 10]

To keep it simple.

A friend of mine has been having trouble connecting to my game, we've tried-

- Forwarding ports 2302-2305.

- Turning off any firewall that might prevent connection.

- Connecting via IP address.

- Connecting via Hamachi, which works but with copious amounts lag.

So that's it, friend can't connect to me, not sure what to do.

Perhaps if I can get a hand diagnosing the actual problem I can give some more information.

[larsiano 12]

ArmA2 server requires the following ports open to UDP network traffic. TCP is not needed.

port 2302 UDP ArmA2 game network communication.

port+1 2303 UDP Gamespy public server reporting.

port+3 2305 UDP Voice Over Net transmission.

The guide on Kelly's Heroes points towards a larger port-range than you have specified (not sure if VOIP is used?). What version of Arma / OA are you using, do you use any mods on the server / player? What mission, what server IP, has it ever worked o.k.? etc?

[bEjaC 10]

I can answer most of those for you.

- The version of OA that is being used is 1.56.76134 (On both PCs)

- No mods whatsoever

- It is varied missions, usually CTI and CoOp missions

- It has not worked before and the same problem has happened when he tries to connect to another of my friends.

- Swapping who hosts also doesn't resolve the problem.

Edit: I should probably point out too that the connection type is simply 'Internet', meaning no dedicated server is involved.

[larsiano 12]

So everyone except him can connect to the server? Does he have other problems connecting to other servers? What message or error does he receive once he tries to connect? Have you checked if no filters where used to look for the server? Have you tried to host the server under a different port number?

[bEjaC 10]

He can connect to other servers completely fine, others can connect to mine.

The error message is is simply 'Connecting failed', probably meaning it just times out.

The only filter used is to find the host, so just whichever name I've given to the server.

And I haven't tried hosting under a different port as I don't know which to use.

[larsiano 12]

Also make sure hes not on the ban list!

[teaboy 11]

When you say he can connect to other servers fine, are they dedicated servers or client hosted games like yours?

Has your friend got any antivirus software running in the back ground, has he set his firewall to allow ARMA 2 Complete access?

Whats his internet connection speed and type? whats his location compared to you on the globe? i.e if hes on the other side of the world to you and has a slow broadband/internet connection then that would be the reason.

Edited December 14, 2010 by teaboy

[bEjaC 10]

I WILL check out internet speed and type when I get the chance and edit this post.

I can assume that the servers he's able to connect to are dedicated but I'm not entirely sure, but well, I can assume since they're always up.

So that might be the main issue; that I'm not running a dedicated server. But would it effect me as well when trying to connect to him when he's running an undedicated server?

He lives reasonably close to me so the speed/distance would have a smaller effect.

EDIT: Internet speed and type is - 7.5mb DL and 1mb upload on ADSL2+.

EDIT2: I believe he has his firewall completely turned off while playing games.

Edited December 17, 2010 by bEjaC

[bEjaC 10]

Bumping.

[teaboy 11]

Has he turned antivirus off and tried turning of background programs in the task manger to see if any of them where stopping him connecting?

Also, probably a long shot this, but has he tried using a different player profile while connecting?

[bEjaC 10]

I'll have to get back to you a bit later tonight as he isn't online, will update this post though.

[bEjaC 10]

Well everything has been tried except the different profile, will try that next chance.

Any other things we could give a go?

[teaboy 11]

Not that i can think off.

Has he had this problem with any other game that he plays MP on?

[visceralsyn 10]

To keep it simple.

A friend of mine has been having trouble connecting to my game, we've tried-

- Forwarding ports 2302-2305.

Forward only 2302~2305 UDP ports in your router, set static LAN IP for your pc. If you are using PORT Forward and DMZ, then disable the DMZ.

There are no client side settings he needs to change.

- Turning off any firewall that might prevent connection.

If you are connected to the internet via a dsl/cable modem and a router, then using a software firewall does this. If there is a router, you don't need software firewalls, don't disable them, uninstall them. As for the Windows built in firewall, if the service is on, the firewall is on.

- Connecting via IP address.

- Connecting via Hamachi, which works but with copious amounts lag.

Since there is a post stating you have 1Mbps upload, that is sufficient for 1 client. Likely your machine provided you with the 'copious amount of lag', by not being powerful enough to host a listen-server. Which, probably isn't the best terms to use to describe what low perfomance looks like, but its the easiest terms to use.

Using Hamachi is the same as connecting to a network, to connect to a network. The internet is the only network you need to connect to, a 2nd one merely allows for more crap to go wrong.

...Syn...

Edited December 18, 2010 by VisceralSyn
Corrections

[bEjaC 10]

Okay things tried this round, in point form.

- Uninstalling Norton for Window's Security Essentials.

- Double checking ports.

- Turning off Windows Firewall and the firewall built into the modem/router.

- Setting a static IP, then a static LAN IP. Neither worked.

Would the router type effect connectivity?

I'm using a Thomson and he's got a Belkin.

Edited December 19, 2010 by bEjaC

[visceralsyn 10]

Router MFGR should not matter.

2302 ~ 2305 UDP Are being forwarded to your PC's Static LAN IP ?

How did you disabled Windows Firewall?

Provide him your IP address, ask him to open a command prompt and ping it. If he gets no reply, something, somewhere is blocking.

Check your routers' documentation to ensure disabling its firewall doesn't also disable the Port Forwarding feature.

Edited December 19, 2010 by VisceralSyn
typos and other grammatical errors, as usual...

[bEjaC 10]

Well theoretically it should be forwarded to the LAN IP.

I disabled Windows Firewall by simply disabling it from the options.

And no ping.

[bEjaC 10]

Just a quick update, I tried playing with another friend tonight and it seems he's having the same problem, being I can't connect to him.

[visceralsyn 10]

For any others reading this thread, we've gone to using a messenger to get together and sort this, faster.

When we find the resolution, we'll post it, in case it helps someone else!

...Syn...

[bEjaC 10]

Seems I didn't get the add for messenger.

Regardless, still taking any help I can get.

[=101AD=Whitley 10]

Having the exact same problem. If you get it figured out let me know.

[bEjaC 10]

Will do, have you tried anything that isn't already in the thread?

[teaboy 11]

Hi Bejac

I just had a thought, i don't know if you tried this, but sometimes when i have connection issues, i swap the router for another 1 and that seems to cure the problem. I no idea why it does, but it does.. Well for me anyway.

[bEjaC 10]

Yeah I have thought about trying that but network being connected isn't a LAN and another router would require all the setting up and things. Would help since I have another one.

[bEjaC 10]

Updating the issue -

- Retried setting a static LAN IP and turned off wireless completely - this made connecting simpler.

- Turned off UPnP, forwarding ports and using UPnP at the same time can conflict and cause the ports to mess up.

I won't get to see if these worked until next month but I will update this thread with the results.