Multiplayer is just wrong. Or?

[Chlebakus]

Hello,

My DCS career is maybe not too long. But besides all the small strange bugs and issues that bothers players, there is more actual problem that seems to be almost ignored. I think it is multiplayer.

 

I have spent a year in DCS and the number of games we manage to play with my friend is surprising - 1. I don't mean playing in public servers. This works quite fine. But creating some LAN (or whatever it is) mission seems to be higher magic.

 

Edit: I didn't mean exactly LAN game. I mean my very own public server game, where I can play my mission with my friends and blergh blergh...

 

We tried static IP adress, port forwarding... Every recommended settings. In result, I usually cannot see the created sever in list, which I don't understand at all as it is master server. Direct IP connect works, but loading the mission dies halfway (also frequently asked issue). Anyone, who have any idea or magic trick how to make it work, please post, post, post... And stick it written in CAPS somewhere at forum title.

 

Now I have two-three friends who are really interested in DCS and want to fly. How can we create some training missions where I can train them to get faster into game, when multiplayer system refuses to work? Now we can have some training time in publlic servers. Other players will surely appreciate runway messed with fireballs... And since some of them are interested in WW2 machines, I would like to create some dogfight scenario without strangers.

 

What can I tell them then? Yes, play DCS, but forget about playing together because MP is someway crappy and noone knows how to make it work?

 

As result of this problems which really bothers me and hopefully other players I would like to ask some points:

 

1. It would be appreciated to know if MP is being developed/fixed to work properly. EDs' answer would be nice.

 

2. What causes this MP behaviour? Game created within master server, still invisible, directly not connectable. To be honest, this bothers me the most. We MUST go through master server, we get fixed server IP at our account. I have seen some topics about Hamachi usage in DCS, but I have never got it. How can we use Hamachi, when IP is written into stone?

 

3. To speak for others, there is some server list which is not complete for some reason. Why? 120 servers found, but 40 visible? Sounds strange.

 

4. Is there a plan to make some search window in server list page?

 

5. If nothing better, could there be some support or manual how to work with MP, settings, whatever. Even some sticky, preferably locked, thread from someone who really understands the problem would be nice.

 

Thanks for answers or solutions.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Chlebakus

[BIGNEWY]

I am trying to understand why you are trying to use LAN instead of public server as a host and make it password enabled and give the password to your friends?

 

edit: I understand, you object to the master server.

[Chlebakus]

I am trying to understand why you are trying to use LAN instead of public server as a host and make it password enabled and give the password to your friends?

 

It was just bad example. I didn't remember the right term. I created public servers as well. Problem is that my, or others server is invisible and cannot be connected. And this is permanent problem with DCS MP.

[Pikey]

AN INTERNET CONNECTION IS REQUIRED FOR MULTIPLAYER INCLUDING LAN PLAY

(from the requirements product page on the DCS site)

For an issue for your connectivity/activation go to https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/new.php and log a ticket.

 

Your friends will need to log their own tickets as the serial numbers will need to be cross referenced and information is private.

 

With that being said, your particular issue (because it is yours, not generally everyone's) is down to you trying to avoid Internet by creating VPN's.

Multiplayer works fine. You and your friends need to connect to the internet and stop messing with private VPN's. That's essentially circumventing the master browser and SECURITY LOGON.

 

Private VPN's like Hamachi are not supported by ED. Also the VPN encapsulating destroys ping and adds processing which you cannot afford to do if you want low latency play.

 

It's impossible to do network troubleshooting without detailed network information to show ports are open, you aren't routing through VPN, you have access to the master browser and so on. So you can reply saying you have this and that but it's wasted here, create a ticket if you believe you are doing it correctly.

[BIGNEWY]

which router do you use and is it using upnp?

[Chlebakus]

EVERYONE, FORGET THE WORD LAN.

 

I roughly know how this system works.

 

Thanks for tips by now. I will check it when I get some time home.

 

Edit:

AN INTERNET CONNECTION IS REQUIRED FOR MULTIPLAYER INCLUDING LAN PLAY

(from the requirements product page on the DCS site)

 

This is some kind of joke? I am on master server and I am not connected to internet. OK...

Edited October 7, 2014 by Chlebakus

[Rabbit_]

Chlebakus just needs to know, how to ensure, that everytime You create a game, the rest will see it in the servers list and will be able to connect to it. Because this is a little bit faulty sometimes. For two hours it works and than it just doesn't work all of a sudden. No change in routers settings, connection etc...

It wasn't about making some sort of bypass around internet connection and still play multiplayer.

 

So is there some rule of thumb for creating games in DCS Multilplayer? :-) Maybe some "must have" router settings and such things.... Thanks.

[Falcon_S]

...120 servers found, but 40 visible? Sounds strange. ...

 

This is impossible. If you found 120 servers that mean 120 is visible. If you scroll down on the server list you will see rest of them (I said that just in case if you are never scroll in server list - only that explains to me your "120 servers found, but 40 visible? Sounds strange.").

 

All you need to your server be on the list is:

- Opened port 10308, TCP & UDP , on your router;

- Allowed connections IN/OUT for DCS.exe in your firewall;

- Checkmark - in server settings make your server Public;

and go to multiplayer but:

- Carefully look for your server in the list. Sometimes it is difficult noticeable on the list.

EDIT: One more thing - you and your friends must have same version of DCS

 

That`s it for all of us.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Falcon_S

[Chlebakus]

This is impossible. If you found 120 servers that mean 120 is visible. If you scroll down on the server list you will see rest of them (I said that just in case if you are never scroll in server list - only that explains to me your "120 servers found, but 40 visible? Sounds strange.").

 

All you need to your server be on the list is:

- Opened port 10308, TCP & UDP , on your router;

- Allowed connections IN/OUT for DCS.exe in your firewall;

- Checkmark - in server settings make your server Public;

and go to multiplayer but:

- Carefully look for your server in the list. Sometimes it is difficult noticeable on the list.

EDIT: One more thing - you and your friends must have same version of DCS

 

That`s it for all of us.

 

The invisibily of servers has nothing to do with me. I have just seen this somewhere recently, so I wanted to mention it.

 

Thanks for advices. Will try again :(

But even if my server is hard-to-find one, direct IP connect should do it.

 

Just drives me crazy after a year of trying. Even with opened port we were able to connect to each other only once.

 

Edit time: I don't know if I could make it work now, but these are quite valuable information in nice pack that should appear at least sticked on top of MP problems topic.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Chlebakus

[Chlebakus]

Another thing I forgot to mention. Is it necessary (or better) for others than host to have this port opened? As I am experienced in other games' server configuring the answer is: "No."

[WinterH]

It is enough for host as far as I know.

 

Did you also check your antivirus or firewall software? Sometimes they can get "overly protective" :).

 

Out of 4 people including myself we fly together every now and then, only I and another friend can host, when other two try to host games no one can see them, although they also tried to open necessary ports, we didn't quite pinpoint why they couldn't host either.

 

Did both you and your friend tried to host? If you didn't try, it may help.

[Falcon_S]

...Is it necessary (or better) for others than host to have this port opened? ...

 

Only server must have opened port. For clients is enough allowed OUT connections for DCS.

[Cibit]

It is rare that I dont get my MP gaming on a regular server such as Virtual aerobatics or when 229th have a session but when I do want to play with friends privately we have had to use Hamachi. Everyone has correct ports opened and firewall rules but sometimes it just doesn't work.

 

Hopefully with EDGE the MP side of the game will get some love and attention but until then either have a LAN party:) or try hamachi

[Chlebakus]

It is enough for host as far as I know.

 

Did you also check your antivirus or firewall software? Sometimes they can get "overly protective" :).

 

Out of 4 people including myself we fly together every now and then, only I and another friend can host, when other two try to host games no one can see them, although they also tried to open necessary ports, we didn't quite pinpoint why they couldn't host either.

 

Did both you and your friend tried to host? If you didn't try, it may help.

 

We both tried. We succeded when he hosted. But only first try. Second attempt was invisible again :lol: Uh. Strange thing is that we were able to connect when I was at home, but he remains invisible when I was out.

 

I will double check router firewall, my firewall (which is off), proper port forward setting...

 

It is rare that I dont get my MP gaming on a regular server such as Virtual aerobatics or when 229th have a session but when I do want to play with friends privately we have had to use Hamachi. Everyone has correct ports opened and firewall rules but sometimes it just doesn't work.

 

Hopefully with EDGE the MP side of the game will get some love and attention but until then either have a LAN party or try hamachi

 

I also have no problems with visible public server.

The Hamachi thing is interesting. I've seen some mentions over forum. How do you use that? DCS won't allow you to put Hamachi adress into server adress line. It is via VPN alias? I was not able to find this setting in recent versions. I like Hamachi system as there are nicely visible configurations including selecting port and so on.

[Cibit]

IIRC we both logged into hamachi then joined ED master server. My friend hosted and even though the IP in the setup server screen is your normal IP address and can't be changed it made no difference. I could see and connect to his server.

Good luck:)

[BitMaster]

Strange, I know that it works both ways on mine, WAN and LAN, no surprises.

 

Check this thread I opened a while ago while checking DCS connectivity procedures:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=120856&highlight=gateprotect

 

It is very hard to properly set up any LAN or WAN based something if you have basically no idea what ports, protocols, NAT and ip-tables are. It is no offense, just as hard as it would be to repair

your Porsche if you just own it, but never ever worked on cars. It is just a rough start and there are many small things you can stumble upon.

 

Firewalls, especially those installed on Windows, are the #1 troublemaker. Try to exclude it to make sure all ports are available outbound. Put yourself in a DMZ in your router as well. If it works then, you were fire walled somewhere on that road.

 

Bit

[Chlebakus]

IIRC we both logged into hamachi then joined ED master server. My friend hosted and even though the IP in the setup server screen is your normal IP address and can't be changed it made no difference. I could see and connect to his server.

Good luck:)

 

Hamachi helped you this way? That is even more confusing. But when it works...

 

We also tried it, but without any result. But it was some time ago when we did not know we must open port. Maybe it is just the thing it can "clean up" some ports. As I think about it, it shouldn't have any relation to DCS MP engine.

[Rabbit_]

Why or why is this such a rocket science?

[Sceptre]

The EDGE update will change the multiplayer system)

[Chlebakus]

Let's hope in EDGE salvation. What scares me the most is the uggy buggy period just after release.

[karambiatos]

Why or why is this such a rocket science?

open the correct ports on your router and boom you can make a server, no hamachi or anything

[Rabbit_]

open the correct ports on your router and boom you can make a server, no hamachi or anything

 

Everything mentioned is there. I even have static IP. I just don't understand, why is it so complicated to connect to a friend, when all other games are doing fine. And why it works one day and it doesn't the other day. :-)

[Chlebakus]

open the correct ports on your router and boom you can make a server, no hamachi or anything

 

This thread is just about this. And the fact it does not help. Or it works only if it wants to. We are not idiots that can't do such things or did not try it.

[MadDog-IC]

Cant suggest to much more than others have offered, but us KISS principle.

 

 

For SERVER:

--------------

Disable any Windows or third party Firewall. (temp while testing)

 

DCSW Server must have:

-----------------------------

Ports 10308 forwarded and working. - Put the port forwarding into your router and forwarding to the one Internal address of your dcs server.

 

If using a router DCHP to give your computers an Internal IP address, make a reservation in there for you main computer you are using for your server so that it always going to be the same IP address , other wise it is possible that the IP of the server may change after a reboot or the like, this did happen to me after a computer rebuild. (ie I had my IP as 192.168.1.10 and had all port forwarding to that address, but on a reboot, DHCP assigned it 192.168.1.11) so obviously the port forward was now sending the info to the wrong computer IP address.

 

Test that the port (10308 is indeed open):

-------------------------------------

Using this Program to do that: http://portforward.com/help/portcheck.htm

 

The PFportchecker is a trial, but you can use the open ports check part for free.

 

If this passes on the UDP and TCP port 10308, you will get your external internet IP and an indication that the port is indeed open.

 

Attached are some screenies of what is needed.

 

Next run up your DCSW server, making sure it has the port 10308 as default and the public box is ticked.

 

 

Clients Computer:

--------------------

If they can logon to the eagle Dynamics master server and see other servers and connect to them and play, they should not have to do anything different their end to connect to your server. If they can't do this, then they should be looking at their Software firewall on Windows and either disabling it to just test if that is blocking or make sure it has allowed DCSW access.

 

They are not required to port forward 10308 in their router, but you could try it if in doubt.

 

Hope it helps, I know how frustration networking can be, lot easier these days, than it use to be.

 

Regards, Ian.

[Chlebakus]

Something like this (or this one exactly) should be sticked.