Friends can't join me.

[Sel94]

I recently convinced a friend to buy FC2 and we were going to fly around together online to practice. However, if I make a server, he can't join me. I can join him just fine though. I was recently reading about something on no "ports" on my router but I couldn't really make sense of it all, but it could be the problem.... is it?Thanks.

[Speed]

Forward port 10308 tcp and udp to your hosting machine. Lots of instructions on how to forward ports out there on the internet. You'll need to know what kind of router you have and then look up instructions specific to that router for forwarding ports.

[Sel94]

I have no idea what your first sentence meant but thanks for the info.

 

I google about opening ports on my 2wire 3800HGV-B but almost everything that comes up is how opening ports is not working for everybody who has my router. Lucky me:) Oh well, I'll keep searching. Maybe I'll be able to host one of my own maps someday.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Sel94

[Sel94]

Okay, I've done some research on this. Before I start, is the the right way to do it?(In simple terms) Put my IP of my router in the url box, pick the computer I want to foward the port to and fill out some stuff, and that's basically it right? I want to make sure before I start. Thanks.

[Sel94]

I've now actually tried to do it but it is a bit confusing because I'm not familiar with this stuff. If anybody knows, my router askes me what app(s) can get through, so what would be the application name for FC2. Or, there is an app in the list that says "DirectX Games", would that just work for everything? Also, it asks me what protection I want. Would maximum be okay? The description is "Disallow unsolicited inbound traffic", and I think that might not work for hosting, but there is DMZplus mode(says allows everything) or I can choose which apps can go through which might be best. Sorry for all the questions but I don't want to get this wrong.

[Bearitall]

I've now actually tried to do it but it is a bit confusing because I'm not familiar with this stuff. If anybody knows, my router askes me what app(s) can get through, so what would be the application name for FC2. Or, there is an app in the list that says "DirectX Games", would that just work for everything? Also, it asks me what protection I want. Would maximum be okay? The description is "Disallow unsolicited inbound traffic", and I think that might not work for hosting, but there is DMZplus mode(says allows everything) or I can choose which apps can go through which might be best. Sorry for all the questions but I don't want to get this wrong.

 

simulator.exe

[EtherealN]

To be extra sure you can ensure that your router forwards port 10308 to your computer. This does however require that you set your router to automatically assign a specific IP to your computer when it connects, otherwise you'll have to re-detect your IP and re-set the forward every time you restart your computer.

[Sel94]

simulator.exe, port to 10308, got it, thanks. Any word on allowing "DirectX Games"? If it does what I think it does, wouldn't it allow all games because they all use DirectX? Anyway, thanks.

[KungFuCharlie]

simulator.exe, port to 10308, got it, thanks. Any word on allowing "DirectX Games"? If it does what I think it does, wouldn't it allow all games because they all use DirectX? Anyway, thanks.

 

No, the "DirectX Games" setting will not work for LO or DCS. That setting is for games that follow Microsoft's standard for DirectPlay (tech included in DirectX). The ports that they use do not include the port that LO/DCS uses. Thus, it won't work.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240429

[Sel94]

So I have to open a port for every game I have? There is that DMZ mode thing but I don't know if I want it because it says it's less secure. Does everyone have to go through this to host games? Anyway, thanks.

[EtherealN]

DCS:BS and LOFC2 use the same ports: 10308. Note that the port needs to be open for both TCP and UDP protocol. (Don't worry about what protocols are, just use the "both" option in the router or similar setting.)

 

Games that use the standard Microsoft method will work through the "DirectX games" thing, but this does not apply to DCS or LockOn.

[KungFuCharlie]

So I have to open a port for every game I have? There is that DMZ mode thing but I don't know if I want it because it says it's less secure. Does everyone have to go through this to host games? Anyway, thanks.

 

DMZ opens up every protocol for every port. It would be like connecting your computer directly to your modem. Basically, you're shutting off all of the routers firewall features that protect against service based threats. If you do DMZ while you're playing just make sure to turn it off when you're done playing.

 

Yes, everyone who has a router with a built in firewall (all of them do now days) has to go through this when hosting games. The reason is because the router blocks external computers from connecting to computers internal to your network without you initiating the connection. When someone sees your server in the server list and tries to connect to your computer, the router views this as a non-user initiated connection request. Thus it blocks it unless you are forwarding that port or DMZ'd. This protection is in place so that infected computers cannot just randomly connect to your computer on open ports, exploit a protocol or service vulnerability, and infect your computer with malware, steal your data, etc.

 

Unless you have another service or application that uses the same port as DCS then you can leave that port forwarding turned on all the time without fear. You'd know if you did since trying to host a server on that port would fail since the other service or app was already using that port.

 

Long story short, it is safe to leave the port for DCS forwarded to your computer at all times. But, as was said before, if you're not using static IP addresses in your home network then you'll have to change the IP that it is forwarded to whenever your IP changes.

[Sel94]

Thanks guys you're being so much help, but first, can you translate this last sentence into "dumb terms" for me?

But, as was said before, if you're not using static IP addresses in your home network then you'll have to change the IP that it is forwarded to whenever your IP changes.

 

And can someone confirm the appliction profile name? I think it was simulator.exe.

 

And I just found out it says "If the desired application requires multiple ports of both TCP and UDP ports, you will need to add multiple definitions", so do I make two open ports?

Sorry for all the questions, I don't want to spend your whole day helping me.

[=Panther=]

First I recommend setting a static IP by following the instructions on this page depending your OS.

http://portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

 

After you have setup a static IP following the detailed instructions for setting port forwarding for your router and LockOn.

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/2wire/3800HGV-B/Lock_On.htm

[Sel94]

Hey, I was on that site! But I couldn't find that info, thanks. *Yawn* But I'll do it tommorow, thanks.

[=Panther=]

It can be hard to navigate if you're not familiar with it. Good luck!

[martinistripes]

Try this program http://www.simpleportforwarding.com/

 

Simplifies the entire process. Not had to use it with BS, but I was bashing my head against the wall trying to host multiplayer with IL2 1946.

[nemises]

heya Sehl,

You can do it mate, no worries...

 

Do this for us:

 

-click on the start button, click run and type in "cmd"

-in the black window that shows up, type in "ipconfig /all"

- Copy and Paste the details from there into the forum so we can see your internal setup (his will give us your internal IP, and tell us whether you are using DHCP for addresses, or static, or neither)

- next, go to "http://www.whatismyip.com" in a web browser, and tell us what your External IP is (you might want to disguise the last part of your IP...we don't need to know it exactly, as long as you do)

- Next, tell us the brand of broadband router you are using (if you are using one)

 

From there, we can give pretty specific instructions to what to do I hope.

[Sel94]

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]

Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Shane>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Shane-PC

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gateway.2wire.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8071 PCI-E Gigabit Ether

net Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 90-FB-A6-2C-85-CA

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gateway.2wire.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8190 802.11n Wireless LAN (Min

i-)PCI NIC

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-06-4F-89-1D-2A

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::d472:c89b:10ed:9025%11(Preferred)

IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.69(Preferred)

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, August 04, 2010 11:13:12 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, August 05, 2010 11:13:12 AM

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184550991

DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-C5-C6-92-90-FB-A6-2C-85-CA

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.gateway.2wire.net:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gateway.2wire.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:149a:30e0:9cd9:7ace(Pref

erred)

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::149a:30e0:9cd9:7ace%13(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Shane>

 

My IP is

99.38.133.---

(disgused as told)

 

And my router is a

2wire 3800HGV-B

 

Ryan, thanks for the program but I would like to learn how to do this but if you all have had enough I could just use it:)

And thanks everyone else for the help.

[nemises]

Here you go:

 

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/2wire/3800HGV-B/

 

don't forget to use : 192.168.1.69 for your internal address

port is: 10308 TCP and UDP

 

This will forward any traffic that hits your router on port 10308 directly to your machine.

If you have Blackshark / FC2 running as a server, then clients who connect to your EXTERNAL address should see the server.

 

Dont forget, that, on top of this, if you ahve a soft firewall running also (ie a program on your computer that acts as a firewall) you'll need to make allowances in this also, allthough since your router has a firewall function, there's no real need for a soft firewall (unless you have potentially have unsafe clients connecting to your LAN)

 

Let us know how you go.

Edited August 5, 2010 by nemises

[Distiler]

Keep in mind 192.168.1.69 is given via dhcp, so tomorrow it can be another one. You can force an static ip instead of a dynamically given one by dhcp service, but that will require a bit of knowledge from your part.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Distiler

[KungFuCharlie]

Here you go:

Dont forget, that, on top of this, if you ahve a soft firewall running also (ie a program on your computer that acts as a firewall) you'll need to make allowances in this also, allthough since your router has a firewall function, there's no real need for a soft firewall (unless you have potentially have unsafe clients connecting to your LAN)

 

Windows has the built in firewall that he'll have to deal with but that is usually as easy as clicking "ALLOW" the first time he runs the program. It's good to have some kind of software based firewall since WEP can be cracked in about 2 seconds and WPA/WPA2 can be cracked in a few minuets to a few hours depending on the amount of packet traffic on the network.

[Sel94]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll do it a little later, so in the meantime, if what KungFu says is true, I'll need a good software firewall. Know any good ones? Thanks.

[KungFuCharlie]

Microsoft Windows has one that is built in that works just fine. Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you needed anything else. Just make sure it is turned on in your security settings.

 

Also, the attacker would have to be within the wireless range of your wireless router to do the attack on WEP/WPA/WPA2 which means they are within a few houses of you depending on how your wireless router signal is propagating. So unless there is a reason why someone really wants to gain access to your home network you don't really have to worry about it. :)

Edited August 5, 2010 by KungFuCharlie

[Sel94]

Oh, you kinda worried me there, Thanks, and soon now I will open some ports. While I am, can somebody answer this? -If I don't have a static IP, will I have to re-open the port every time I shut down and turn on my computer? Thanks.