Dear BIS, Red Chain

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

I've searched the forums and found many instances of players experiencing the dreaded "red chain". I understand it is somehow related to desync. I have tried to solve it based on the input of forum members without resorting to cluttering the forums with another post. Unfortunately this isn't possible.

I have upgraded my internet connection, feeling that my previous connection was insufficient to participate in MP games. I am now running a 6Mbps connection (up from $19 USD to $49 USD). This did not solve the problem. I am currently playing the game on a Dell XPS 730X( an Intel i7 @ 2.67GHz, 6 GB RAM, 2 GeForce GTS 240's and the latest version of Vista 64 Ultimate).

In all I have over $3,000 USD in a system dedicated to playing Arma 2 (and Arma (1)), but still run into the same problems. I have gone so far as to disable every anti-spy, malware and firewall on my machine to see if it makes a difference....it doesn't. Is there ant REAL solution, or am I just throwing my money away?

[[frl]myke 14]

I'm affraid that you thrown your money away. Red chain means a communiaction problem between server and client. This doesn only mean your own internet connection but all nodes and lines between you and the server machine. Mostly is out of reach for you to influence. Try other servers which might be located nearer to your home.

Finally, the red chain for itself doesn't always mean that somethings wrong. Sometimes it just happen when someone is connecting and the server has to send a lot of data to the newly arrived player. Often the red chain then disappears and you can play without problems. So id the red chain is the only visual indication you get ingame but everything else seems to run fine, i would suggest to just ignore it.

[Deadfast 43]

Did you do any network diagnostics?

The network speed proclaimed by the ISP is usually not guaranteed but maximal possible.

What is your connection type? ADSL? Cable? Wifi?

Where do you live?

What is the upload speed?

How do other MP games perform?

What kind of missions do you try to play?

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Did you do any network diagnostics?

The network speed proclaimed by the ISP is usually not guaranteed but maximal possible.

What is your connection type? ADSL? Cable? Wifi?

Where do you live?

What is the upload speed?

How do other MP games perform?

What kind of missions do you try to play?

Deadfast, your opinion and knowledge is greatly appreciated, thanks for responding to this thread.

ADSL

Florida, USA

U/L .350Mbps

Same, red chain intermittantly antd then usually killl my connection

Co-op, from local & dedicated servers. Dom and Evo too.

Latency 50 ms, D/L 5.92Mbps

[rexehuk 16]

Ring up ISP and start the resolution to this issue.

First thing that needs doing is tracerouting from your machine to the server, once this is done the ISP can start looking at destinations in the traceroute that are having lag or other issues, causing the red chain.

I read a while back about the ISP finding an issue with a single node in the route, which was resolved by the ISP contacting said node to fix the issue. One phone call could sort it all out... or an email.

Hopefully you get someone on the end of the phone who knows what they are talking about, unlike here in the UK.

[das attorney 858]

Racist

[rexehuk 16]

LOL, Rex, we both end up talking to the same Paki who has no clue...

Racist

Indeed. I don't approve but anyway!

open up DOS (Windows+R and type "cmd")

Now enter tracert SERVERIPHERE

Assuming you're connecting to a dedi, you could even use the URL of the clan website or w/e. Just make sure that is the case beforehand.

1 33 ms 69 ms 28 ms 10.89.168.1

2 29 ms 78 ms 29 ms nmal-geam-1b-ge15.network.virginmedia.net [81.96.225.141]

3 31 ms 12 ms 56 ms osr02croy-pc112.network.virginmedia.net [62.30.242.53]

4 9 ms 18 ms 19 ms popl-bb-1b-ae2-0.network.virginmedia.net [195.182.178.86]

5 32 ms 11 ms 81 ms tele-ic-2-as0-0.network.virginmedia.net [62.253.184.6]

6 14 ms 44 ms 33 ms ntl.killercreation.co.uk [212.250.14.18]

7 28 ms 48 ms 24 ms rt-2-cent.killercreation.co.uk [217.146.94.2]

8 14 ms 14 ms 44 ms server.killercreation.co.uk [81.19.212.34]

Sort of readout you should get.

[rowdied 44]

Did you do a virus/spyware scan recently? I know dumb question but you mentioned no firewall or anti-virus.

Could you be having problems with your 1394 motherboard connection? I had something similar happen with my old c2d 8400 asus m.b. and the internet/1394 lan connection was acting up giving me slow internet loading and timing out problems. I replaced it with an aftermarket one and had no problems since. I only play Arma2 lan usually so the red chain was really frustrating. Just a thought i'd throw your way.

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

ADSL

Florida, USA

What modem?

[rexehuk 16]

Are you using a router? I have been getting choked bandwidth for a while on a 20MBIT line (usually 50 bandwidth or so). Solved the issue the other night with advanced routing, basically added in a local to server IP QOS rule. Seems to give me 500-1000 bandwidth now.

If you do have a router, plug your PC directly into the modem, and then see if your bandwidth/ping improves on the server.

[icebreakr 3159]

Lag (yellow/red chain) sometimes appears when ports are not open. But I believe you need them for hosting option only?

[mosh 0]

But I believe you need them for hosting option only?

Correct, I only open ports on computers I want to host a server on, never my main gaming rig.

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

I have run antispy and malware since disabling it, everything came up ok. I had done that to see if maybe the windows firewall or AS/MW prot was blocking something. No effect. I also disabled the firewall on he modem and allowed all traffic through, still no change.

I had been running the small silver motorola modem (sorry dont have the PN handy right now) and a Belkin N wireless router. I had the same prob whether I used he router or hardwired directly to the modem. Now I have a 2Wire combo modem/wireless router in one. Same problems, no difference. No difference in ping if I plug directly into the modem (its great).

[Gera_CCT 12]

Well, not much a help but this problem has gone for me when my clan here in Brazil (http://www.coalizaobrasil.com/) opened a server near us (very near, my ping is 30-50).

Sometimes a yellow chain shows up mostly when someone is connecting, other this things are very good, except for the CTD that lots have.

I used to get red chains when playing dominations public servers.

[Vick 19]

I've searched the forums and found many instances of players experiencing the dreaded "red chain". I understand it is somehow related to desync. I have tried to solve it based on the input of forum members without resorting to cluttering the forums with another post. Unfortunately this isn't possible.

I have upgraded my internet connection, feeling that my previous connection was insufficient to participate in MP games. I am now running a 6Mbps connection (up from $19 USD to $49 USD). This did not solve the problem. I am currently playing the game on a Dell XPS 730X( an Intel i7 @ 2.67GHz, 6 GB RAM, 2 GeForce GTS 240's and the latest version of Vista 64 Ultimate).

In all I have over $3,000 USD in a system dedicated to playing Arma 2 (and Arma (1)), but still run into the same problems. I have gone so far as to disable every anti-spy, malware and firewall on my machine to see if it makes a difference....it doesn't. Is there ant REAL solution, or am I just throwing my money away?

3000 dollars for that setup- to answer your question, yes, id say youve thrown your money away

forgot to add- i get this problem as well. I only join servers that I ping less than 100 with, anything below 100 I go for, anything over i don't touch

but I don't get disconnected constantly, though it does happen. usually im one of the lower pings in the server to boot

Edited April 19, 2010 by Vick

[tankkiller01 0]

For pissin sake STAN69, heres what to do!!!!!!!!!!

1. Uninstall Arma2, completely, then reinstall

2. reset your router, and reapply settings

3. ALL DONE!!!!!

4. Go on multiplayer!! Will work perfectly believe me"!

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Wow, IceBreakr, thanks for your input, you're the island making master !!

Vick and esp Geraldus, thanks for your input as well, with it I am slowly getting to the root of the problem, though my ping is normally below 50.

tankkiller01... out of sheer frustration, I took your advice and went one step further. I completely nuked my HDD, all 1 TB worth and did a 7 pass overwrite, then installed just Win Vista Ultimate 64 and Arma 2 (and necessary drivers). Guess what, problem is still there :(

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

I asked which modem due to me having similar issues a few years back with 2 identical Westell modems. AT&T gave me a lesser quality Netopia modem and the problem was gone.

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Swat, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The first modem was a Motorola 2210-02-1006 (the little square silver one). The newest one is a combo modem/wireless router from 2Wire 2701HG-B (the vertical white and gray one with AT&T on the front).

Is there any possibility that Battle Eye could be the culprit? AT&T says everything is clear as far as my connection goes.

[Arma-2-Guru 55]

Man, that's expensive for 6mbps, I've got 10mbps for 25 pound a month. Works a dream :)

[rexehuk 16]

Swat, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The first modem was a Motorola 2210-02-1006 (the little square silver one). The newest one is a combo modem/wireless router from 2Wire 2701HG-B (the vertical white and gray one with AT&T on the front).

Is there any possibility that Battle Eye could be the culprit? AT&T says everything is clear as far as my connection goes.

Go into your router and do this (will be different on your router, someone may be able to help you)

If your router has a quality of service engine (QOS) enter:

LOCAL IP: 192.xxx.xxx.xx (Your assigned network IP here)

REMOTE IP: ENTERARMA2SERVERIPHERE (NO PORT)

Port: 0-65535 (Dont need this huge range, but I saw no harm)

Next, find a setting named "Inbound Filter" and enter:

Name: ARMA2ALLOW (Or w/e you want)

Action: Allow

Remote IP RANGE: SERVERIP - SERVERIP

This should have your router doing its job properly. As I mentioned earlier in thread this put my bandwidth from 20-50 to over 400+ and removed any yellow/red chain issues. Took me a few months to solve so hopefully should help you!

This wont expose your PC OP. These measures are just to ensure your router prioritises the traffic of your arma 2 game over the entire network, and sends data straight through the filter without any issues. This config is for a DLINK 655, so I'm not sure what your web interface looks like. If you need further help I'll be happy to remote assist you sometime, could fix this issue for you in 5-10 minutes.

If you wish to have my msn, drop a line via PM.

Edited April 24, 2010 by rexehuk

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Thanks Rex, PM sent, working on the issue now. I now know its not the game cause Arma 1 just did the same thing.

***

Follow-up. Had a few problems with my DSL line. Got a new Modem, ran new line directly to the New Box they also installed outside.. Still have the same problem.

I'm beginning to think it's a port issue as well. Contacted 2wire and they do not want to help, say its the software company's (BIS) fault to correct. I'll keep trudging along trying to find the right port combos...

Edited April 28, 2010 by Stang69
typo

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Ok, disabled windows firewall, anti spy, malware, tried forwarding ports, disabled the "disble incoming icmp" Now what? Nothing has changed at all. :(

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

With this much trouble your having and after all the tweaks you've tried, I would start looking at your pc net card. (I'm guessing your using an onboard?) You can pick them up rather cheaply, last I bought was under $20.

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

Nope, Bought a new card the other week while all this was happening, figured my old card might be bad. Another $80.00 spent :mad: