Port forwarding as friends cant see my server.

[J3ST3R]

Hi, can anyone tell if this is correct as I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to this sort of thing. 

As it stands, my friends get can't see my server on the list and if they try to connect via ip, they get a server offline message so I believe my port 10308 is closed.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[zildac]

Looks fine. One point, the “Originating IP” this presumably is the IP of your friend that you wish to join your server? If so, this may change (unless they have a Static IP). Try without this enabled, but bear in mind it likely means anyone can find your server, so you may want to add a password to the server. The second thing to consider is Windows Firewall, check if it is actually allowing traffic sourced from a Public IP to access TCP/UDP 10308 on the hosting machine.

[J3ST3R]

39 minutes ago, zildac said:

Looks fine. One point, the “Originating IP” this presumably is the IP of your friend that you wish to join your server? If so, this may change (unless they have a Static IP). Try without this enabled, but bear in mind it likely means anyone can find your server, so you may want to add a password to the server. The second thing to consider is Windows Firewall, check if it is actually allowing traffic sourced from a Public IP to access TCP/UDP 10308 on the hosting machine.

They are trying to join my server so should the originating IP be my IP address?

Also, I have DCS.exe and folder set in the exclusions list. Is that what you mean by checking win firewall is allowing public IP traffic to port 10308?

[zildac]

They are trying to join my server so should the originating IP be my IP address?

It's unlikely, more likely that value is related to the source address or addresses allowed to connect. Try with it disabled see if they can then connect. If they can then consider using their public IP in that field. Again, if they don't have a static it may change and you'll have to update the rule to reflect.

[Vakarian]

Remove this "originating IP" entry and the checkbox. 

Basically, with this you are telling your router that if something comes to it on a port 10308 it should go to the "Server IP". 

As mentioned before verify you don't have firewall blocking the traffic. Once you've done both you can go to some web service like port checker and see if the port is opened. If it's still showing that it's closed it might be worth talking with your ISP to check if you are behind a CG-NAT because if you are then the chances of it working are dropping close to 0.

[J3ST3R]

Ok, I'll give those things a try. Thanks for the comments.

[J3ST3R]

I've checked and Win firewall is set to allow DCS through. I've noticed though, my IPv4 IP address is something like 192.168.1........ but in DCS my IP address in multiplayer is 164.138.80....... Shouldnt they be the same and if not, which IP address do I set as the port forwarding rule?

[zildac]

I've checked and Win firewall is set to allow DCS through. I've noticed though, my IPv4 IP address is something like 192.168.1........ but in DCS my IP address in multiplayer is 164.138.80....... Shouldnt they be the same and if not, which IP address do I set as the port forwarding rule?

The 192 address should be the target of the port forward. Your friends need to connext to the 164 address.

[J3ST3R]

Great, I'll set that up now.

[Ironious]

You can test by going into your profile page on the DCS web site. Open active servers and then my servers. If you don't see yours there no one else will either.

[zildac]

Curious, did you get this sorted?

[J3ST3R]

I haven't had a chance to test it yet but hopefully will later this evening. I'll let you know when I have. Appreciate the input peeps.

[J3ST3R]

Just a quick update, I haven't managed to test with a friend yet but looked on the dcs website when my server was running and it showed on the 'my server' list.

[J3ST3R]

On 5/30/2025 at 9:27 PM, zildac said:

Curious, did you get this sorted?

Hi, finally managed to get my friend to test my server and the same as before. It doesn't show on his server list and just shows "server offline " if he connects by IP. However, as mentioned above, my server does show on the "my server list" on the ED website. Below is a screen on my port forwarding rule.

 

Anyone got any ideas?

[J3ST3R]

On 5/29/2025 at 7:43 AM, Vakarian said:

Remove this "originating IP" entry and the checkbox. 

Basically, with this you are telling your router that if something comes to it on a port 10308 it should go to the "Server IP". 

As mentioned before verify you don't have firewall blocking the traffic. Once you've done both you can go to some web service like port checker and see if the port is opened. If it's still showing that it's closed it might be worth talking with your ISP to check if you are behind a CG-NAT because if you are then the chances of it working are dropping close to 0.

I've just looked at my ISP quickline and apparently they do use a CG-Nat. Does this mean this will be my issue?

[Dangerzone]

2 hours ago, J3ST3R said:

I've just looked at my ISP quickline and apparently they do use a CG-Nat. Does this mean this will be my issue?

Yes. Does your ISP give you the option to 'opt out' of CG-nat and get a public IP address?  Many of decent ones give this option to their customers. It's worth checking.

[Vakarian]

8 hours ago, J3ST3R said:

I've just looked at my ISP quickline and apparently they do use a CG-Nat. Does this mean this will be my issue?

Yes, basically what Dangerzone said.

IDK how the ISPs are at your country, but here if you mention to them that you have to host some services for business/work or something like that, they give you no hassle and just remove you from CGN. They tend not to if you just complain about the gaming as the CGN is one way of solving the age old issue of lack of the IPv4 addresses and in their minds hosting game servers from your home is not high in their list of priorities.

[J3ST3R]

Ok, I'll have to talk to my isp to see if they'll sort me out. After, a quick search, may have to look into a VPN that allows port forwarding. Thanks all for your help.