Hosting non-dedicated games on the internet

[Czesanne 0]

While joining internet games using the built-in browser works fine, I've got problems setting up a simple non-dedicated private game for 2 players over the internet.

I create a new game using the in-game interface and ask my friend to connect directly to my IP (using "remote"). We've tried a lot of things:

- turn on/off firewall on our ADSL connections

- make sure we are using the same port (2234)

- use the same version (Resistance 1.90)

Is hosting a non-dedicated server over the internet impossible?

Thanks in advance,

Czesanne

[bn880 5]

Are you able to serve anything from that machine? Liek FTP server or dedicated OFP server? You could be behind some sort of proxy.

Also make sure you are both using either Sockets or DirectPlay network implementation.

EDIT: Ah and the port number... don't forget he might have to change that.

[Czesanne 0]

Thanks for your tips. Yes, I hosted a dedicated server which appeared in the Gamspy listing. So, there should no firewall or proxy problem. I now believe it may be the wrong port we are using (2234). We will try the default port 2302 instead and see if it works.

Czesanne

BTW: Cool project, your CoC. I'm a senior software developer and specialise in "real" AI (automated knowledge acquisition). The OFP AI is really amazing.

[bn880 5]

Thanks and I agree about OFP AI being very good, although there are still many things that can be expanded on.

Sorry I can't help you more with the hosting problem, you should post again if you still can't get it running, maybe someone else can figure it out.

[Mister Frag 0]

Czesanne, check the following:

1. Find out your external IP address at www.whatismyip.com -- that's the address that the other players should connect to.

2. Make sure you are all using the same network code implementation. I prefer DirectPlay, because it permits VoIP communications.

3. Stick with the default port number of 2302.

4. See this entry in AvonLady's FAQ on what ports need to be opened up and/or forwarded to the system that is hosting.

5. If you are using Microsoft's ICS or ICF, try turning them off temporarily just to eliminate them as potential causes of the problem.

I host games for my friends over the Internet all the time, it is definitely possible.

[Czesanne 0]

I've finally got it running. It was the port. With 2302 it works fine, even through the firewall (Norton).

Thanks for your advice.

Czesanne

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

Eh.....I feel like a noob....but how do you "open" ports?

[RN Malboeuf 12]

that wont help you kyle

refer to my other post

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

Refer to my other post in that thread and you realize that my problem is more complicated than that. But ya....how do i open ports?

[RN Malboeuf 12]

in your other post you claim to have guys connecting to your game via IP

this means your ports are fine

you only need to open ports if you have a fire wall or a router which has a built in hard ware fire wall or if you run a soft ware fire wall like blackICE or Zone Alarm

for BlackICE and routers you would have to selcted the ports and set them to be open (you do this by goin into thier control or config or settings), ZoneAlarm will ask you if you want the programs to have internet access and will open the ports for you

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

You see the reason i thought it was a firewall problem (and still do) is because whenever I tried to make a server on a game like Hidden and Dangerous 2 or something it would say that some of my ports are closed and it will try to open them....but it never works. So i figured this is whats happening in ofp.....damn i really wanted to try making mp missions with some of my friends...

[olseric 0]

Depends upon what you're using as a firewall, sniper.

I know several people that even with firewalls "off" and routers properly configured still can not host games. I suspect this problem is due to either:

A. Router not properly handling traffic.

B. Firewall not off.

I lean more towards option B as most firewalls comercially installed never really do remove themselves.

[RN Malboeuf 12]

B.  Firewall not off.

I lean more towards option B as most firewalls comercially installed never really do remove themselves.

Doubt it

I lean to option C

C) End user thinks he shut off his fire wall, but has not

i have played with lots of routers and when yuo want them dead, they die

[Mister Frag 0]

ZoneAlarm definitely has a problem with its TrueVector service sometimes not shutting down correctly and blocking IP traffic. The problem is not consistent, but quite a few people are running into it. I'm not saying ZoneAlarm is a bad program, but it does have a few bugs.

[RN Malboeuf 12]

i Run ZA at home for shear bordom and the fact i can lock out what ever i dont want, shutting ZA will cause problems because its simply NOT what you do, its very simple to set ZA to allow a program access to the net, no need to look for ports or figure out what is needed, you simply say yes or no, and if you regisister you gain the ability to block IPs that keep scanning

Now for servers the best bet remotely is BlackICE since it wont lock you out remotely and shows you the scans that get done on your computer/server in a better graphical way then ZA will

plus the ease of use of blocking IPs for a month , day, week or year is wicked for a server that wants to get rid of assholes in game for a good month

Its a little more harder then ZA to use and probly not as secure as ZA in some areas but its abilty to let you choose yes or no to any program that even turns on is sexy

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

I have been reading up on my problem and what I have found and is most likely is that my ISP might be subscribing their customers to NAT (Network Address Translation), which may restrict ports or something     I will continue to look into this and call my ISP    but does anyone know if there is a windows application to open ports on my computer?\

EDIT:

I found here the way to open some ports....is this really the way? Can someone simplify for me?

[RN Malboeuf 12]

to keep this simple there are 4 types of fire walls

1) windows XP has its own (this is what you linked to only if its enabled - you could just disable it)

2) soft ware (zone alarm,Blackice)

3) Hard Ware (routers they allow more the 1 puter on your net line)

4) proxies (these filter shit out and can block IPs and ports)

if you have none of these its your ISP which is doing #4 and there will be little you can do

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

Ok....so how do i turn off the gay windows xp firewall?

[RN Malboeuf 12]

START KEY > CONTROL PANEL

look for

NETWORK CONECTIONS (can be listed in 3 different ways depending on personal settings but its in there some where)

once you have this window open right click on

LOCAL AREA CONECTION

goto the

ADVANCE tab on the top

and that is where the fire wall is for XP, but i doubt it is on, well 50-50

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

Its on....but I thought I have already turned this off and stuff still didnt work but I will try anyways...well I'm goin camping now until sunday/monday....but I will try when i get home

[RN Malboeuf 12]

Its on....but I thought I have already turned this off and stuff still didnt work but I will try anyways...well I'm goin camping now until sunday/monday....but I will try when i get home  

this falls under my ealier post where i said the user thinks they shut it off but has not

heh

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

Ok I'm back from camping and I disabled the firewall on my LAN connection but should I also disable the firewall on my 1394 Connection?

[RN Malboeuf 12]

thats your fireware, it wont make a difference unless the two are bridged in some backwards way, it gets technical, so dont worry about that one

[Sniper_Kyle 0]

When trying to host from the game Empire Earth I still get this error message like I always got so I have a feeling that I need to do more than this..

[RN Malboeuf 12]

call your ISP and see if they are running a proxy