Multiplayer help

[redglass98]

New to DCS multiplayer (MP). My Grandson and I want to fly and play missions in a private session using the MP facility (we live in different towns). I cannot find any instructions so am winging it. Tried to set up a server in the MP facility. Got logged in and passed the IP and port info to him. He tried to join, entered the IP and Port, hits connect and after a moment he gets a "cannot connect" message. We have been able to get into the public server for the take off/ Landing training mission and fly around.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[Frostie]

How to set up a server from multiplayer menu.

 

• After logging in click on 'NEW SERVER' at bottom of screen.
  
• Change the name of the server from 'DCS Server' to something others can recognise.
  
• Make sure the yellow box named 'Public Server' is ticked.
  
• Port should be 10308
  
• Select players total
  
• leave password blank for testing purposes.
  

Now ask those who want to join to check for the name of your server in the lobby, if they can't find it then ask them to try 'connect by IP', failing to connect after this maybe a routing issue. Try allowing port 10308.

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

[redglass98]

Thanks very much. Looks like we did what you suggested in the bulleted items. So now I will work on the port thing.

[AceRevo]

I thought you had to use your ''own'' server or something, is it really this easy to setup a mission to play with a friend online? Does it requires additional computer power to host a server from the multiplayer menu? If this is a new feature I would like to know that too :P

[104th_Maverick]

Yes, follow Frostie's steps and that is all there is too it :)

 

Things get a little more complex when you want to host lots of clients, we had to send our box to a data centre to host 51 clients, however if you just want a server for you and your friends you can just use your own machine :D

 

Oh... and make sure you select LAN as the connection speed (In MP Options)

[redglass98]

Mav, so if I have this right. If I want to just play with another person in a private game I can:

 

• create a new server in the MP section listed as public
  
• rename the server.
  
• add a password
  
• I must change connection speed to LAN
  
• Choose a game from the available *.miz missions
  
• then my friend can join the game?
  

The only thing I did not do was the port forward action. Do I still need to do that? Also does my friend also need to do the port forward action?

[104th_Maverick]

Yes sir, thats it!

 

You want to make sure that any mission you host has been resaved in the latest version of the game.

For example if you built the mission a month or so ago in 1.2.11 you have to resave it in 1.2.12 for stability reasons!

 

The port forwarding is pretty important, you will know when this is an issue because your friend will not be able to see your server in the MP list.

 

Your friend does not need to port forward, only the host.

 

10308 is the port you need to forward ;)

[Frostie]

I thought you had to use your ''own'' server or something, is it really this easy to setup a mission to play with a friend online? Does it requires additional computer power to host a server from the multiplayer menu? If this is a new feature I would like to know that too :P

As long as you have the bandwidth you can safely host 12-16 players on average 4+year old gaming rigs. If you want to take part in the flying probably limit it to 12. Off the bat i'd say allow 3-4 players per 5Mbps upload.

[AceRevo]

Great info here guys, thanks alot! :)

[redglass98]

Guys, still having trouble creating a server and getting connected with my friend. I did the port forwarding (used port range of 10308-10308) and the other instructions of setting up a 2 person server and used one of the FC3 single missions. My friend cannot see the public server I created nor can he connect with the IP I gave him. I have an AT&T Uverse router.

 

Is there a manual I can read or does anyone have some more ideas to assist me? Thanks

[FLANKERATOR]

Open traffic to port 10308 via TCP and UDP protocols (both).

[redglass98]

I believe I have done that. Sorry but I am not strong in networking. I opened up the Firewall in the router under the NAT/Gaming tab and set both TCP and UDP. See below. Any other ideas. Really appreciate any help.

 

Service Entry

 

Service Name DCS

Global Port Range - 10308- 10308

Base Host Port - 10308

Protocol TCP/UDP

Edited December 22, 2014 by redglass98
Not all the msg displayed

[FLANKERATOR]

What IP did you apply port-forwarding to? it should be your internal IP (192.168.x.x).

Always check your IP before hosting to see if it changed (even internal), so you can update the port entry accordingly.

 

Take a screenshot of the GUI and post it please.

Edited December 22, 2014 by FLANKERATOR

[MadDog-IC]

Guys, still having trouble creating a server and getting connected with my friend. I did the port forwarding (used port range of 10308-10308) and the other instructions of setting up a 2 person server and used one of the FC3 single missions. My friend cannot see the public server I created nor can he connect with the IP I gave him. I have an AT&T Uverse router.

 

Is there a manual I can read or does anyone have some more ideas to assist me? Thanks

 

Check out my fault finding here:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2200921&postcount=24

 

or

 

Others setting up server stuff here:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=127230

 

Regards, Ian.

[redglass98]

OK guys. I am back from my trip and ready to solve this problem.

 

I have reviewed all the suggestions above and believe I have followed them. I to further solving I set up another PC in house to act as a client and purchased/registered another copy of FC3 for it. This way I can try different things directly.

 

• I used Port checker and 10308 is open both TCP and UDP.
  
• I disabled Antivirus for testing
  
• I verified the external IP
  
• and the internal IP is port forwarded to the computer I am using.
  
• I can connect to other public DCSW servers on both systems
  
• When I set up a simple public server (2 people) on DCSW I cannot view it from the client system even though I have public box checked so I am guessing I am not doing something right on my side.
  

In reading one of the threads that gave very detailed instruction (see Item 3 below) for three different types of servers, it stated that if you were using your own pc you needed a Dedicated HD and a Static IP. I am using neither although my external IP has not changed for sometime.

 

Any other Ideas????

 

Thanks for any help

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

 

!You have to have 1 of the 3 server types where you will host your DCS Multiplayer server.

!Make sure that your host runs on a Windows operating system.

 

1. Dedicated Server. The whole machine is dedicated to you only. Expensive. If you don't care about costs than this is one for you.

 

2. Virtual Dedicated Server. The best choice. Way cheaper, dedicates your resources only to you.

 

3. Your own computer.The worst choice. No need to pay, but

a) if your PC is off, your server will be off too;

b) your PC has to have a static IP address;

c) your PC has to be powerful;

d) you have to install the game onto a dedicated HD\SSD, and should know how to dedicate RAM and CPU for specific applications.

[Azrayen]

The topic is "How to Create a Dedicated Server".

Dedicated is the important word, it means a server intended to stay live 24/7 and able to address an important number of clients.

This is not what you're trying to achieve. You don't need a static IP address, nor a dedicated HD.

 

If you cannot connect a client to a server (both at home), then there is indeed something you're doing wrong on your side.

Check DCS server settings, firewall or other security software settings, router/box settings.

 

++

Az'

[redglass98]

Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding on the dedicated HD and static IP. I have checked all that I know on the router, temp disabled security software (for testing), have set the DCS server for public, no password, port forward checker says 10308 is open. I agree it is something on my end but I am at a loss of what. Anyone out there have some experience with and AT&T Uverse router (Motorola NVG589) that could shed some light?

 

Any help is appreciated.

[redglass98]

Yea solved..:yes:...I was concentrating so much on the router firewall that I had forgot that windows 7 has it's own firewall. Once I allowed DCS through it the hosted server worked great.

 

Thanks very much to all those that helped and for your patience with me as I worked through this issue. My grandson is going to be stoked when I tell him.

[MadDog-IC]

Yea solved..:yes:...I was concentrating so much on the router firewall that I had forgot that windows 7 has it's own firewall. Once I allowed DCS through it the hosted server worked great.

 

Thanks very much to all those that helped and for your patience with me as I worked through this issue. My grandson is going to be stoked when I tell him.

 

Glad you got it going, as usual it turns out to be one small step you miss :doh:, you have to be methodical when doing this kind of diagnosis, the windows firewall is the first thing I turn off.

 

Enjoy

 

Kind Regards, Ian