This is the promised follow up to Multiplayer made simple.
Although it is aimed at those using routers some of the issues and solutions may apply in other situations, such as LANs and firewalls and the same priciples may apply.
Any images used are from my own router settings and may not relate directly to your router.
Although the specifics may differ slightly the overall methods should be the same.
I use a Draytek Vigor 2600 ADSL router with 2 computers sharing the connection.
I understand that most, if not all, routers work on the same principle. The router acts as a "computer" on the network and as the gateway to the internet.
Comp (192.168.1.50)-----------------ROUTER (192.168.1.1)------------Internet (219.23.34.0)
Comp (192.168.1.33)-----------------^^^
The router contains the External IP given by your ISP and then passes an Internal IP to your computer/computers. The router usually has its own IP (192.168.1.1) and this takes the form of a web page in the case of my router. (check your routers manual for your settings).Your router also acts as a Firewall by effectively masking your computer/s it allows outgoing traffic but prevents much incomming traffic. Herein lies the problem when trying to connect to an online game/sim. In order to make an effective connection you have to open or redirect ports through the router to your computer.
I'll now endevour to give a short tutorial on setting up your router for FS2002 and FS9.
Most importantly you need to be the administrator and/or have permission to do the following as opening ports can leave your system vulnerable to hacking.Firstly
You will need your computer IP ...... not your external IP ... To get this open up a command prompt and type ipconfig.exe and you should get something like this. (Fig1) the command prompt is in different places for different operating systems for XP (Start/ All Programs/ Accessories/ Command prompt) for others you will have to search.
FIG1
For those using operating systems other than XP you may need to save the information as a text file to do this type after the prompt
ipconfig.exe/iptext.txt this should save the info as a text file called IPTEXT somewhere on your hard drive... just search for it.
Next
You need to get into your router settings page. For me I open up a browser window and type as the page 192.168.1.1(Fig1a) this gives me full access to my router settings(Fig2).
Fig1a
The next step is to look for NAT setup.(Fig2a)
Mine opens a page like this (Fig3)
We will leave port redirection as it can become complex and head straight to opening ports it's easier.(Fig3a)
As you can see there is a table opened up with highlighted numbers to the left mine are already set up (Fig4) ... yours should be empty unless someone has already set something up. Click on whatever table you want to use.For FS2002 (fig5) and for FS9 (Fig6) make sure you use the correct protocols (TCP/UDP) and direct it towards the right computer once set tick any enable boxes and you should be ready to fly multiplayer.
Close down all windows and find a game you want to join either on the "ZONE" or via another means.
For others to join a game you are hosting you need to give them your External IP goto
IPCHICKEN to get it.
Here's a great site that shows the above for most router types
PORT FORWARD.
I hope this has been of some use
Please feel free to contact me with any issues via PM
cheers
eno
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