Connection Through a Router

[Caden]

I didn't know where to put this thread, so I figured i'd put it here, if this is the wrong Forum, then i'll post it in a more correct place.

So, I have a game, an older game, Lucas Arts - Star Wars Rebellion. And I want to play it online with my buddy, now, I have a DSL connection, going through a Linksys router, and into my machine. You can link up through IP address. Now, when I only had a Hub, or i'm directly connected to the net, there are no problems. But, when I am going through the router, there are big problems, mainly, we can't see each other. So, how do I

A) Figure out which port he is trying to come in through.
B) Open that Port
or C) if there is an easier solution.

Now, I can send files through messangers, play online through a service like Battle.net, etc. So, what can I do, to make this work?

Any suggestions would be terrific! thanks!

Caden

 

[gizzy17]

Caden,

I recently experienced a problem sending email when connected to my linksys rounter, and I'm wondering if you might be having a similar problem to what I was having. Check linksys's site for the "second to the" latest firmware. This will alow you to turn on logging for the router to find the ip and port numbers that are goin in or out.

part two-

My email problem was the the MTU setting in the router. I think this defaults to 4296 - the "latest" firmware would not let me adjust this. When I would hit apply, it would just revert back to the default. Read the following to determine the correct MTU setting from linksys's site

http://kb.linksys.com/cgi-bin/om_is...ev.nfo&record={408}&softpage=IKW_ENU_JDocView

Also if anyone else knows exaclty why the MTU setting would prevent connecting to my isp's email server and if it would effect any other connections - I'd sure like to know.

 

[JinRoh]

It might possible have to do with the NAT included with the router, which most routers have today I think. It "hides" your internal IP address from external eyes. Also, your ISP may be asigning you a new IP address every time you log on from a block of it's assigned IP's and subnets.

 

[bcastner]

If you are on a DSL connection, you must set the router in setup to use 1492. (If AOL DSL, I believe the value is 1400).

Otherwise you email server will not connect, (as will most secured sites).

Often this is a firmware issue with the router. My best advice:

. Not all firmwares work with all versions of the same router. In this case, we do not even know if it is version 1-4, and what model router. If you can be more specific I can be more specific about possible help.

. Please be sure to check the site:

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/equip,16

The best Linksys site on the web, bar none. Do a site search for information about your specific router model.

. Use the "Linksys FAQ" at the site to directly connect to the Linksys firmware FTP site. Again, be carefull of your router model. Flip the router upside down and read the label.

. For firmware upgrades:

. Do it by a cable connection. Note wireless. Make certain there are no other active connections.

. After a firmware upgrade, do a loooong reset by holding in the reset button for at least 45 seconds. Eventually all the lights will flash, the diag light will come on, and the diag light will eventually go off. Now turn off the router for at least a minute. When power is restored, reset your settings completely as they have been flushed to the factory defaults.

 

[gizzy17]

Sorry about the 4296, the default is 1492. I had to adjust this down to 1232 to get it to work with my email, and it is dsl.

 

[bcastner]

Again, it depends on your ISP. Most DSL connections have an MTU of 1492, but not all.

AOL drop to 1426 or 1400. Or ask them what is the best value for you particular connection.

 

[Caden]

so, what you're saying is, check the log, find the port, and open the port? And what if I told you i've tried that and it didn't work? For whatever reason I don't know other then maybe I set the router wrong, how can I test if the port I want open...is open?

But thanks for all the advice! you guys are great

 

[bcastner]

No. I was addressing the narrow issue that your router MTU was incorrectly set.

I would:

. Test. I recommend strongly using the

http://www.broadbandreports.com

Tweak test:

http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

. Use the freeware "DrTcp" tool on the site to adjust your client MTU and RWIN values;

. Set your router to a manual MTU based on the tests as well, and do a power off/on reset.

. Use a tool such as LPS -

http://www.petri.co.il/quickly_find_local_open_ports_gui.htm

With your game application open. Identify the ports needed, and then use the router setup page, Advanced, to port forward the needed ports to your local LAN IP.

See:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ics/icsconfig_maps_pg2.htm

 

[Caden]

so, just to recap, open my game, go to, petri.co.il to find out if the port is open and if so, and if I give the guy my IP address to connect to me, all should be fine?

 

[bcastner]

Download the program from Daniel Petri's site.
Run the program, minimize,
Run your game,
See what ports it is opening,
Do a port forward to your NAT IP through the router port forwarding feature.

 

[bcastner]

Or,

Start the game,

Start, Run, CMD

netstat -a

See what ports it has open, and forward them through the router.

 

[Caden]

alright, sounds good! i'll try that tonight! I just hope I do the port forwarding correctly, but it should be easy enough

THANKS!

 

[bcastner]

Ask at the Game site on the web.
View, if they have one (most do) their faq.

 

[Caden]

they don't really...Star Wars Rebellion is a Macro RTS. It is a terrific game, but most people thought it was going to be a Micro RTS, like warcraft but star wars. When people saw it wasn't, it seems nobody gave the game a chance, but it is so much fun to play. Anyhow, Lucas arts didn't support it very much. Force Commander came out later, which was the Star Wars RTS but that turned out to be a poorly designed game, and here we are today. Lucas Arts has basically disowned Rebellion, but it is amazing, can take easy 20-30 hours to play a game through with a friend online (luckily you can save =0p) great fun.

 

[bcastner]

Google, Groups tab, "ports Star Wars Rebellion"

 

[Caden]

Just tried that, and got basically nothing. Unless you are seeing something I am not

 

[bcastner]

From a Google "group: search:


The internal ip address is most likely the problem. Here's an article:

NAT is ALWAYS a proxy, a proxy is NOT always NAT.

The effect on zoners of having NAT or some other proxy gateway is
basically the same. They can't get into the game. Some of the errors
seen: Unable to launch game the connection with the server has been
terminated, Unable to locate X game on your hard drive, and so on..
The solutions are a bit different.

Now how can you find out if someone is using NAT or a proxy and
differentiate between the two?

Run winipcfg (Click Start, Run, type winipcfg, click OK.)

If the first two digits are 10.xxx.xxx.xxx they have NAT typically.

If the first six are 192.168.xxx.xxx it's likely that they are using
Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing. They are definitely behind a
proxy, only question is, which proxy program?

For ICS here is the Knowledge Base article on setting up ports:

<url:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q231/1/62.ASP>

Here's an article that tells which ports you need for the zone:
THESE are &quot;THE PORTS&quot; for everything save the PREMIUM games.

http://support.microsoft.com/Support/Games/Zone/Tshoot/Causes/Proxy.asp

FA PORTS:
<url:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q233/3/68.ASP>

AC finds the ports on its own if you set the settings for Proxy
correctly. There's a setting in the beginning of the Options for AC for
this, and I'm sure someone from the AC team can elaborate on this one.

Now that covers ICS but what about NAT? NAT needs the same ports but it
needs them to be set up correctly on the CISCO router.
Here's a brief walk thru on that:

In all examples on this page we will assume the private address of your
server is 10.0.0.2 and the public/routed address assigned to your Cisco
675 is 216.160.92.4. You WILL need to be in enabled mode to run these
commands.

set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 28800 216.180.92.4 28800 tcp

set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 28801 216.180.92.4 28801 tcp

and SO on up to:
set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 28912 216.180.92.4 28912 tcp

YEAH 113 lines of typing worth

set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 47624 216.180.92.4 47624 tcp

set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 2300 216.180.92.4 2300 tcp

set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 2301 216.180.92.4 2301 tcp

and SO on up to:
set nat entry add 10.0.0.2 2400 216.180.92.4 2400 tcp

YEAH 101 more lines to add to your router.

Yep that's what NAT does to you.

ok That covers ICS and NAT.

If they are using some other form of proxy, first they need to go to the
manufacturer of the proxy server's web site and get the procedure for
adding ports. Then add the same ones that you would for NAT or ICS.
The ports are the SAME.

Last but not least:

IF the ISP is using the proxy: SAME Ports are needed, and the ISP folks
should be able to figure out how to add the ports.



--
+Elmo_Tech
MSN® Gaming Zone™ - Technical Support

 

[Caden]

damn =0p didn't see that, thanks, if I can't figure it out with all this info, i'll never figure it out...i'll give it a try tonight