A Frequently asked question in these forums is “How do I connect to a Multiplayer session?”

Usually followed by “I managed to connect but A. Couldn’t see other players or B. Was kicked off shortly after connecting.” or the other main one “I just couldn’t connect!! HELP!!”. (more about these in another posting)

Hopefully this posting will answer  the question of how to connect , or at least eliminate some of the more frequent stumbling blocks.
All the information below is from my own experiences and therefore might not be the exact way that others have told you.
Feel free to contact me and I will add to this posting anything which will enhance it.
I am always open to suggestions.

To answer the first Question “How do I connect to a Multiplayer game?” Mainly for FS2002/4 unless indicated.


First step
A RECOMENDATION ONLY!!…
Shut down any firewall and anti virus software before attempting to connect. This is just to reduce any variables that could interfere.
I personally leave my anti virus running at all times whilst online.
However firewalls are a tricky point to be disgussed in another posting. SEE BOTTOM OF POSTING FOR FIREWALL/ROUTER PORTS

There are three main options for connecting to a game and I will outline them below.

1.The Zone.
This method is easy enough but involves downloading “The Zone” software, setting it up and having a free Net Passport (if you have a hotmail or msn email address then you have a Net Passport if not then sign up for a hotmail address at www.hotmail.com ).
Do not start your flight sim yet!!
Go to http://zone.msn.com and click on the CD Rom games tab. Choose the Flight sim button (don’t worry that it says FS2004) if you are not signed in you will be asked to (this is the NET Passport bit).
Once signed in you will have a page which displays all the flight sims available. Click on your choice. At this point if you don’t have “The Zone” software you will be prompted to Download and Install it. (This is a one off unless you have to uninstall it. For any problems relating to this software check the FAQs on “The Zone”)
Once downloaded and installed you will be taken to the “Lobby” from which all the games are hosted simply choose a game and follow the instructions.DO NOT  have your flight sim started at this point it will start automatically once you click on  the join tab in the game’s room. (These instructions relate to CFS1+2 also. I have not tried CFS3 multiplayer but I suspect it will be the same.) Once in the game a chat box will appear and you may get instructions or ask questions there.

Follow any instructions given by the host and play away.

2. Direct IP games.
To connect to a game via a direct IP then obviously you need an IP to connect to. This is a quicker and easier way than “The Zone”. “How do we find the IP’s ?” I hear you cry.
Here are the two methods I use.

A. If you have managed to connect via “The Zone” you will see that some of the games have an IP in their description and "no zone start" in the comments. These are IP games.
Simply start your sim and choose the multiplayer section (there is no need once you have the IP to continue running any zone software) …
Place the IP in the box for IP’s and click Search… your sim will stall whilst it finds the game and then in the session box the game should appear. If there are any specific instructions to follow then they should be in the description box.
Highlight the game in the session box and click join.
Set up your flight according to any instructions in the normal way. Then start your flight. Once again the chat box will appear.

B.      Use a program such as FSHostSpy (available here http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshostspy/ )  this lists all the sessions available on FSHost which is as its name suggests a Flight Sim hosting program. (There are others ask around in this forum and I’m sure that others will come up with other options.) Simply copy the IP of the session you are interested in and follow the instructions for using the IP contained in Part A. Remember in these sessions ... factors such as Weather and time could be altered by the host.

3.Host your own session on “The Zone” or using FSHost which can be found  from the link  to FSHostSpy  in 2B. To go further into hosting would take another long posting so I will leave it to just that.

REMEMBER ….. all hosted games are subject to the rules and whims of the host so any disconnections may be down to them.
WARNING
If you can’t see other players aircraft as they should be (e.g. wrong type or livery) then its probably because you haven’t the same aircraft in your inventory. Also if you see a Cessna travelling at Mach1 or a Boeing 747 hovering then don’t panic your FS is just compensating by using a default.

ROUTER/FIREWALL PORT REQUIREMENTS FOR FS2002 & FS9

See the following page for required ports.

DX7 ports for FS2002 - DX8 ports for FS9.*

Microsoft Support
* Add UDP 23456 for FS9

Some specific help for "THE ZONE".
ZONE HELP

Hey Eno

Thanks alot for all this info that you have posted, I have been tring to find out how to get in a multi-player game but cannot never get a reply on my posted messaged.
You given alot of info and I hope other people will do the same.

8)
Thanks alot FIshman2004

Hmmmm......does the host set realism options, or are they determined locally for each person. I would assume the host is responsible for everything, but I don't know. I'm just wondering  if everyone one could potentially have a different set of options selected. Very curious......

Hiya JW1011 you dont need anything apart from both having flightsim installed on your computers.

After that its up to you how you connect.

eno

Hi all...!

Help...!
...my memory's fading... ...!
I've forgotten... ...!
How do I find my ISP's IP Address, to type into the Multiplayer box...?
It's buried somewhere in my Windows Directory... ...!
LOL...!
I also have an idea that it changes each time I log on, or re-connect,  to the Internet.... ...!
(Which affects the Multiplayer Game)...!

Many thanks... ...!

Cheers all... ...!

Paul.

Quote:


Hi eno...!

FS 2002 Multi-player via FS Host

When Ozzy and I used to fly on line using FS Host I always had to type in my IP address, (He used to do the same for his), so that we could connect to one-anothers computer via our seperate Service Providers.
My IP address I used to obtain from a location somewhere in my Windows directory, but I've forgotten what method I used to locate it...!
The number, eg: is similar to, 123 456
This number changes for each connection/re-connection.

Cheers eno.... ...!

Paul.

This is the window where the IP address must be inserted....>>>

Hi eno...!
Thanks for the reply.... ...!
...sorted... 8)...!

I tried running "ipconfig", and a DOS window pops up but quickly dissappears again before I can read the address..... ...!
Buggar... ...!

But...

http://www.ipchicken.com/

Works fine, and displays my current IP Address... ...!

Thanks eno...!

Paul.

I've got an idea that running "ipconfig" on my Win '98 used to do the trick at one time, but for some reason it's stopped working... ...!
...but I still like Win '98.... .... ...!
LOL...!

I have a question.  I am retarded when it comes to computer talk. I don't know what to use in multiplayer.  I try using the zone method and joining a game that way but I always receive an error message and am unable to play.  I understand the IPX method a little but don't know when to use that.  Also I am not sure if I am connected with a TCP/IP protocol.  I would really like to play multiplayer and any advice would be greatly appreciated.  To give you some background, I am currecntly at in college residents and I think I am connected in a LAN.  I hope this will give u enough information to help me.  Thanx