Topic: LAN Dynaverse -- Is it possible? (Read 6774 times)

Sethan · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2003, 06:18:42 pm »

Bonk - those links don't work for me.

Bonk · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2003, 07:10:49 pm »

Dang, they did a few hours ago... I guess the old forums are gone for good now.

toothpick · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2003, 12:57:27 am »

CptCastrin -- Thnx for pointing to a very useful site i probably would never have found on my own. The FAQ also answers a lot of questions. problem is, the 56k connection is not shared. I don't even think a dial-up could even be successfully shared at al!

but i dunno, is there a way around this or to share the 56k?

Bonk -- I appreciate the effort, and the threads were probably going to help immensely. Maybe you could give a quick summary of these threads? It sounds like you actually have one set up, kinda. Either that, or possibly explain what exactly u did to set your server up. sux, though, that they deleted the old threads. Many questions were probably answered early on that will probably be asked somewhere in the near future.

Bonk · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2003, 10:00:23 am »

I'm busy today, but I'll do my best to give an outline of setting up an EAW or OP server behind a router soon.

Bonk · « **Reply #24 on:** July 31, 2003, 04:54:04 pm »

I just noticed that the OP D2 server sees the local address of the router when I log in locally. This is probably because I have the router forwarding the directplay ports to my client machine and the linksys supports loopback addressing. But if you do not want to play on external servers the directplay ports do not need to be forwarded to your client machine, and the server should see your client machines' local IP addresses. Only the ports required by the server need to be forwarded.

EAW sees my client machine's local IP directly however but I usually edit it in the SQL db to my public IP address so I can draft and be drafted on it by players on the WAN side as I only have once client machine on the LAN.

I just noticed that and thought I'd post it before I forgot. I'll do my best to come up with a summary for running a D2 on a LAN when I'm not so busy.

Bonk · « **Reply #25 on:** July 31, 2003, 08:21:35 pm »

David Ferrell very kindly just put the old forum files back up for us temporarily so I'll copy those two threads here:

Quote:

Author Topic: How to run D2 from your LAN.
Goose
Ensign
Posts: 959
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 08-30-2001 04:41 AM
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I am just checking to see if there is still an interest in this topic.
I inadvertantly dicovered this method while trying to set up my own server. It is not the "know all end all" to the LAN question, but it definately is a workaround at least.

I will be checking back to see if people are still interseted in this, so let me know.

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sirgod
Ensign
Posts: 3236
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 08-30-2001 05:28 AM
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sure Goose let me know how It works. I have a small LAN erm did , but am working on getting It back up.
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If it where that simple why didn't you think of It?

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Expose Cheaters.
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Where the Game Begins.

[This message has been edited by sirgod (edited 08-30-2001).]

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Gook
Ensign
Posts: 834
Registered: Jun 2001
posted 08-30-2001 06:22 AM
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Very interested, please post away.
Thanks in anticipation.

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GobbildiGook
KZ/Mirak MOD CW Server
KAT-Gook
Kzinti Hegemony,
KAT-Fleet Kaptain

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Sethan
Ensign
Posts: 4322
Registered: Aug 2000
posted 08-30-2001 06:27 AM
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I'd like to know. I now have 3 computers that will run OP, and am acquiring more all the time...
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Mog
Ensign
Posts: 1135
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 08-30-2001 09:55 AM
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I too would like to know, please.
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Merriment Is All

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darclight
Ensign
Posts: 83
Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-30-2001 11:19 AM
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I'd love to know how to do this. Then I could set up a practice server and get a couple of friends hooked on the game.
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SHG-Codex
Ensign
Posts: 228
Registered: Feb 2001
posted 08-30-2001 01:28 PM
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Definitely interested

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Kastor
Ensign
Posts: 582
Registered: Jul 2001
posted 08-30-2001 02:04 PM
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ditto
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Scipio_66
Ensign
Posts: 1692
Registered: Feb 2001
posted 08-30-2001 02:10 PM
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I'd love to see this. When I put my test server up to check things, I feel guilty taking it down if people have logged on. This way I could just run my tests on a LAN and not irritate any passers by.
-Allen

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Neighbors said he was a quiet man, who kept mostly to himself.

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IKV Nemesis D7L
Ensign
Posts: 2121
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 08-30-2001 04:46 PM
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Definitely interested.
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Goose
Ensign
Posts: 959
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 08-30-2001 07:13 PM
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Ok here goes?
Remember this is not the ultimate answer just a workaround.
Also remember, I?m trying to write this for ANYONE, so those that don?t understand networks as much, can try this too.

Issues:
D2 Server will not initialize unless it can contact WON.NET.
Once you have contacted WON.NET, you must keep external players out.

Network setup: Client/Server. This setup was not tested on a Peer-to-Peer connection.

Glossary:
Internal Network - That which is local to you and not available to anyone on the Internet
External Network - The Internet
Proxy - The System that handles communications to the Internet
PDC - The system that controls the Internal Network

Equipment needed: (highly recommended, but if you can substitute please let everyone know of any alternatives)

Network Hub
- any number of ports
- NOT a router or bridge, a straight HUB (there is a difference)

2 ?Servers?
- 1 to act as a Proxy
- 1 to act as game server

Proxy software
- NOT a firewall program (there is a difference)
- Recommended: WinProxy or MS Proxy Server 2.0

Internet connection

BASIC NETWORK SETUP

What I use on my Internal Network is as follows:
12 Port HP Ethernet HUB
1 Server as PDC (in my case Win 2000 Server with Active Directory, running DHCP, DNS, and WINS). This system also runs the Game Server software on a separate Partition.
1 Proxy Server (in this case Win NT4 installed as a MEMBER SERVER, with MS Proxy 2.0 installed)
DSL Internet connection (connected to the Proxy, NOT the hub)

***SPECIAL NOTE***
The reason you need 2 systems to accomplish this are as follows:
1) Microsoft software will not permit it?s Proxy (NT4) to run on the same system as a PDC or NAT (2000) from running on the same system as Active Directory. This is a standard security policy to protect your servers from hackers.
2) The Game Server Software uses a LOT of resources. So does putting all Network services on one Server. Split the Network and Game tasks to improve the performance all around. Even top end machines will struggle if you put all of it on one system.

How they are connected:
Install both servers and connect to hub with straight through cables.
Install all software as outlined.
Make the Proxy Server a member of PDC?s Domain.
Install the Proxy client software onto the PDC (so that the PDC can ?surf? the Internet via the Proxy).

SETTINGS
Set the security of the Proxy to NONE or LOW (If you set it any higher the packets won?t forward properly).
Enable packet forwarding on the Proxy.
Open the necessary ports in the Proxy (2300-2400, 47624 & 27100 for TCP & UDP, in & out ).

***CRITICAL SETUP POINT!***
In the ServerSetup.gf under MyCampaign (or whatever your directory name is), under [CentralSwitchSetup], set the IP address to the INTERNAL Network IP of the server running the game software. ie:

[CentralSwitchSetup]
Listen = 1
CentralSwitchPort = 27100
CentralSwitchAddress = 198.168.x.x

NOTES:
Some will argue that this will render the server unconnectable. This is true, FOR EXTERNAL USERS ONLY! Because the IP is Internal, anyone logged into the Internal Network can still connect to it.

Since you want only Internal users to connect, you render the server unavailable to externals by using the internal IP. But since you need WON.NET to initialize the server, you need to connect the server running the program to the Internet.

TCP/IP must be installed on all Internal Client machines (for compatibility sake).

Users must log into the Internal Network in order to use the Proxy (this is standard for a Client/Server setup anyway).

Proxy Client must be installed on all system attached to the Internal Network (standard on Client/Server with Internet Access).

You can have as many people connected to your server as the Internal network will allow. Users logging into your server still require a D2 login, because WON.NET still has to validate them in order to access the Server program.

I had four people on my Server, Internally for two hours. No crashes, no interference from other Players.

ADVANTAGES:
Only you and your buddies can play in this setup (no interference).
Rules are easily enforced (everyone is in the same room).
The campaign can be heavily customized (ie: only two races).
The Campaign can be saved until the next you get together and play.

DISADVANTAGES:
The server still appears on the Dynaverse list to EVERYONE. Please have consideration to others by describing the server as a PRIVATE server or similar.

ENJOY!

[This message has been edited by Goose (edited 08-30-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Goose (edited 08-30-2001).]

Quote:

Author Topic: LAN D2 campaign- how?
Taimat
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 4
Registered: Dec 2002
posted 01-10-2003 03:44 PM
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I am interested in playing a campaign with a couple friends of mine, but we all want to use the same SFC2 cd. I don't want to join the big dynaverse campaigns, just a private 3 player game within the LAN- is this possible? If so, what do I need to get, and do, to host this game? Will I need a dedicated server to keep it running all the time, or can I just save it like in single player?
If anyone can help me out I would appreciate it, thanks

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Bob Graham
Ensign
Posts: 651
Registered: Nov 2001
posted 01-10-2003 05:48 PM
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As I understand it (But this subject hasent come up for several months) you cant play within the LAN. I am byfar no expert tho, so you may want to wait for a professional opinon before giving up all hope.
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President, PETJ
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Cleaven
Ensign
Posts: 1774
Registered: Dec 2001
posted 01-10-2003 06:04 PM
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If I understand you correctly you want to run a D2 server just for your friends on your LAN, and use one copy of EAW. This is not possible if my understanding of the game is correct.
There are simple ways to only have your friends on the server, but they must all have their own CD keys to get past the log-in.

It may be possible to set up a server inside a LAN and only have players inside that LAN be able to join, but I suspect you won't get past the log-in. And the server will still have to be listed on the Dynaverse Campaign Selector server that lists all the public servers.

Support for LAN parties is something that should be patched into the game but I think it may be very hard to do because of the requirement for CD keys (I do not support the idea of one copy of the game being used for a LAN party - each player should have their own).

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Chupakabra1
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 5
Registered: Dec 2002
posted 01-10-2003 06:31 PM
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You do not need to have the cd in the computer to play on the dynaverse. I haven't had my cd in mine for months, but I dont know how to set up a LAN though, so that's my two cents on the topic
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Cleaven
Ensign
Posts: 1774
Registered: Dec 2001
posted 01-10-2003 06:51 PM
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quote:
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Originally posted by Chupakabra1:
You do not need to have the cd in the computer to play on the dynaverse. I haven't had my cd in mine for months, but I dont know how to set up a LAN though, so that's my two cents on the topic
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Of course you don't need the CD in the drive, but you do need a CD key and access to the CD key server if you want to play on the D2. If you want to you can demonstrate this for your own edification by editing your registry to remove the EAW key entry and see how far you can go with playing before you get asked for a key.

There has already been a lot of commentary by the SFC3 chattering classes on the necessity for having a game CD in the drive.

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LeftWing
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 3
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-10-2003 07:50 PM
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What about server software for other games, say the Half-Life Dedicated server? It can run in LAN-mode and online, and it also uses the WON Directory Servers.
I doubt it could be that hard for Taldren even to release a quick hack which just bypasses WON Login for a LAN mode server?

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Taimat
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 4
Registered: Dec 2002
posted 01-11-2003 11:43 AM
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It's ok guys, thanks for the help I didn't think I could, so no loss.
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rajnsaj
Ensign
Posts: 360
Registered: Sep 2002
posted 01-11-2003 05:58 PM
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This might help...?
How to run D2 from your LAN.

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... my ghost likes to travel ...

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LeftWing
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 3
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-11-2003 06:46 PM
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while im sure that works, its a really terrible solution
How hard could it be to skip over the WON routines in a server you have the source code for, for a simple LAN mode?

Even if you released a special extra server package just for LAN play, while thats a second download and a messy solution at least it would be a solution...

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Cleaven
Ensign
Posts: 1774
Registered: Dec 2001
posted 01-11-2003 07:23 PM
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I suppose you could get somebody to change the Dynaverse option to a LAN game without any security, and disable the single player and other multiplayer options. Distribute this executable with the modified LAN only server kit and put it in the same directory as the normal executable. Of course you know who to talk to about this.
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LeftWing
Extra in Red Shirt
Posts: 3
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-11-2003 08:00 PM
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Taldren I guess?
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Goose
Ensign
Posts: 1016
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 01-12-2003 06:54 PM
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Thanks Rajnsaj for posting that link, I was having trouble finding it.
UPDATE
Data in the link posted.

The Proxy server can be replaced with a standard router with the necessary ports opened, thus eliminating the need for one server(computer).

The SFCserver can be run from ANY computer behind the router, as long it is not a machine being played on.

Domain login is not needed if all machines are connected to the router/hub. Just hook the computers to the router and use standard Internet setup.

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AKA: KAT-M'Ress, KOTH Redfur

KLAW Member

If anybody needs anything from the old forum files and you know where to find it, grab it fast!
I'll get to that D2 server behind a router summary yet...

toothpick · « **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2003, 01:59:27 am »

I know i probably sound like an idiot, but since i'm not a networking wiz or anything close, i kinda got lost with the whole proxy deal. I'll just wait for the router summary before trying anything.

On top of that, is this all possible with a dial-up or does it have to be broadband?

Cleaven · « **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2003, 02:35:57 am »

If the only thing you need to do is get each user to select the server across the modem then it should be ok if a little slow to refresh, just don't all try to connect at once. No data is being updated across the modem, because all of the players are inside the LAN and therefore moving at 10 or 100 MBps (ohhhhhh yeah). Thirty or forty people on a D2 LAN really sounds good, but how many are you going to try to put on your system?

UDF_Intruder · « **Reply #28 on:** August 01, 2003, 09:13:48 am »

Maybe I missed something.....

Is there some reason to use Win2K Server and Proxy?
I set up a plain ol' Win2K box hooked up to my Linksys Router.
This box runs both an EaW and OP server.
The only other thing to do was set the ports forwarding.

With the CentralSwitchAddress set to the boxes LAN IP, other boxes
on the LAN log in to the server(s).

Rhaz · « **Reply #29 on:** August 05, 2003, 10:20:39 am »

UDF - for us networking neophites, can you elaborate on your setup - it soulds the easiest.

TIA,

Rhaz

Bonk · « **Reply #31 on:** August 05, 2003, 05:44:38 pm »

No problem, I've recently posted my own setup and experiences here: Guide to running a D2 server behind a router (It's kind of wordy and somewhat incomplete, but hopefully helpful nonetheless.)

CptCastrin

Re: LAN Dynaverse -- Is it possible?

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