Topic: Firewalls, login servers etc.

[Gook]

Having read a few pleas for help to get into the D2 recently it occurs to me if we have the code now (big if not sure on that) would it be possible to do away with the bit of code that keeps throwing up the firewall problem and the bit of code which requires a cd key and/or login serrvers. These are two big recurring obstacles to people getting to a Dyna and seem to re occur time and again. I know we have the peeps with the ability to timker  with the source code, but do we have the code to do that too yet?

If we did a general patch could be put out. Copies of the game could be given to 3rd wannabe players and there would be some hope of expanding the player base.

Just a thought.

[SkyFlyer]

From what I understand, no.

SFC uses Microsoft's Direct Play (ugh...) and it would require a whole revamping of the code. If it was that simple taldren would have just rewritten the code instead of turning over the directory servers to d.net.

[SkyFlyer]

I know nothing about this however

[Julin Eurthyr]

To answer some questions with the info I know...

Source Code: Not released as of this time.

Main Firewall issue (caused by attempting to play behind a router): caused by DirectPlay 7's inability to deal with NAT.  I don't know if the fix for this is as simple as say, swapping over to DirectPlay 9 (which supports NAT), or requires major rewriting of code.

CD Key check:  This is, if I understand correctly, part of the directory server check.  We'll need the directory servers cause that's the only way for people to find the locations of the various servers, so leaving the CD key system in place doesn't hurt.  The only problem is many older copies of OP were sent with EAW keys, and a quick PM/E-mail to one of the Admins here will get them a proper CD key in hours...

[FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC]

Hey Gook...

I've got a clan of gingerbread men, here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men. Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish.

[KAT Chuut-Ritt]

Hey Tracey if your looking for Gook

At night prowling sifting sand.
Hiding around on the ground.
He'll be found when you're around.
That KAT's something I can't explain.

 

[FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC]

he he... lets see if you know this one...

It was just before server dawn, one miserable morning in black nebula number 44,
When the forward  starship commander was told to sit tight when he asked could his men be withdrawn,
And the admins gave thanks as the other ranks held back the enemy drones for awhile,
And the Kzin bridgehead was held for the price for a few hundred ordinary Klingon lives,

Kind old King Hexx sent mother a note when he heard that Hooch was gone.
It was as I recall, in the form of a scroll in gold crayon,
And I found it one day, in a draw of old screenshots hidden away,
My eyes still grow dim to remember his majesty signed with his own rubber claw

It was dark all around, there was plasma on the ground, when the kitties broke free
And no one survived from the royal Hydran company C,
They were all left behind, most of them dead, the rest of them dying.
And thats how the Alliance High Command took my RM from me

[likkerpig]

he he... lets see if you know this one...

It was just before server dawn, one miserable morning in black nebula number 44,
When the forward  starship commander was told to sit tight when he asked could his men be withdrawn,
And the admins gave thanks as the other ranks held back the enemy drones for awhile,
And the Kzin bridgehead was held for the price for a few hundred ordinary Klingon lives,

Kind old King Hexx sent mother a note when he heard that Hooch was gone.
It was as I recall, in the form of a scroll in gold crayon,
And I found it one day, in a draw of old screenshots hidden away,
My eyes still grow dim to remember his majesty signed with his own rubber claw

It was dark all around, there was plasma on the ground, when the kitties broke free
And no one survived from the royal Hydran company C,
They were all left behind, most of them dead, the rest of them dying.
And thats how the Alliance High Command took my RM from me

Pink Floyd: When the tigers broke free.

[KAT Chuut-Ritt]

It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet, sometime

Everybody wakes, and in the morning
Hot action yet I can't stop yawning
Pass the Caol Ila please.
Have you ever read the Kzinti Herald?
Reading all about how Kroma's apparreled
Up and down?

And no one knows what I did today
Deepstriking far away
But I would just like to say

It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet sometime
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet sometime

Everybody cares about the front line
And everybody should know I'm behind
What a waste of their time
Everybody's supply lines I be a stealing
Flipping a hex that sends them reeling
back to their homespace

But no one knows what I did today
Deepstriking so far away
But I would just like to say

It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet sometime
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet sometime
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
It would be so nice
To meet sometime

[Gook]

As for Login servers we are are not using the originals anyhow, they have changed, I guess they are Frey's (we are not worthy), could they not just be set to 000000000000000000000000 or  a master CD key just be published. I could then give copies of the game to people (as could anyone) for them to try without them having to track it down on Ebay.

Firewall issue can't be that tricky no other game I know of has such problems. If it is the way the game connects cannot that be changed to a more modern system that does not cause interminable problems and yet further obstacles to reviving game numbers.

Game Numbers has to be the number one issue, as it doesn't matter what flavour of server you have, it is more fun with more people and boring with fewer.

[SkyFlyer]

As for Login servers we are are not using the originals anyhow, they have changed, I guess they are Frey's (we are not worthy), could they not just be set to 000000000000000000000000 or a master CD key just be published. I could then give copies of the game to people (as could anyone) for them to try without them having to track it down on Ebay.

Firewall issue can't be that tricky no other game I know of has such problems. If it is the way the game connects cannot that be changed to a more modern system that does not cause interminable problems and yet further obstacles to reviving game numbers.

Game Numbers has to be the number one issue, as it doesn't matter what flavour of server you have, it is more fun with more people and boring with fewer.

We can't do that yet. People still hold the licences.

However, D.net is trying to get the rights to publish the game.

[Bonk]

Having read a few pleas for help to get into the D2 recently it occurs to me if we have the code now (big if not sure on that) would it be possible to do away with the bit of code that keeps throwing up the firewall problem and the bit of code which requires a cd key and/or login serrvers. These are two big recurring obstacles to people getting to a Dyna and seem to re occur time and again. I know we have the peeps with the ability to timker  with the source code, but do we have the code to do that too yet?

If we did a general patch could be put out. Copies of the game could be given to 3rd wannabe players and there would be some hope of expanding the player base.

Just a thought.

Yes, we could remove the firewall check. BUT, that would horribly destabilise servers and make drafting near impossible as everyone would try to login with their firewalls up. If anything I would like to make the firewall detection server more sophisticated to detect software firewalls that are allowing the game (inconsistently) through and in some cases not allowing the directplay helper and not allowing pings.  SFC dynaverse is considerably more complicated than other games because of the what it needs to do. Even if the netcode were updated firewalls still could not be allowed. Unlike other games, the dynaverse server must allow any player logged in to act as a game server host without knowing at login what other players may end up joining that game server host, unlike other coordinated launch games. (though adding peer to peer late entry would be awesome...)

So in short, because of what the Dynaverse is, the firewall check must remain, and possibly be improved to deal with software firewalls that have become more sophisticated since the game's inception.

[Bonk]

I cant believe I missed this Pink Floyd-Dynaverse thread. Too cool! 


Tell me true tell me why was J'inn so crucified
is it for this that Hexx's daddy died?
was it for you? was it me?
did I shift too much d.v.?
Is that a hint of accusation in your pies?
if it wasn't for the Klinks
being so good at being dinks
the yards would still be open on our side
and it can't be much fun for them
beneath big Kroma's buns
with all their kids committing genocide
what have we done Fluffy what have we done
what have we done to the Dyna
should we shout should we scream
"what happened to the post war dream?"
oh Fluffy Fluffy what have we done?

 

[FPF-SCM_TraceyG_XC]

Very cool, Bonk!!

[Rolling]

When I tried loggin into the Dynaverse I had:

1. disconnected the router
2. disabled the Window XP firewall
3. disabled the Bellsouth firewall

I recieved the firewall message.

It also occured to me earlier, when downloading the 6 or 7 downloads, that this was a bit archaic.  No fault of anyone, but with all the coding, and hard work, you would think that the game would be a little more easily accessable.

Secondly, once everything is made pretty and all, can't the downloads be wrapped up in a nice package for one download: one installment?  That would make the game more attractive, too. 

Then all you would have to say is..... "here, download and install this"

Of course, that is with the exception of the actual individual server download.

[Bonk]

Like this?:
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163352009.0.htmll

and this:?
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163360758.0.html

If we ever get the cilent source (or even just permission to distribute OP) then we can do as you suggest.


Re: firewall message, did you check here:
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163355657.0.html
(It was down for a short time yesterday)
Also, are you running Norton or McAfee AV which come bundled with their own nasty little firewalls nowadays?
Are you sure you disabled the Bellsouth firewall, or did you just exit the tray app?
I play from behind a router reliably, static lan config and port forwarding, works like a charm.

[Rolling]

Like this?:
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163352009.0.htmll

and this:?
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163360758.0.html

If we ever get the cilent source (or even just permission to distribute OP) then we can do as you suggest.


Re: firewall message, did you check here:
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163355657.0.html
(It was down for a short time yesterday)
Also, are you running Norton or McAfee AV which come bundled with their own nasty little firewalls nowadays?
Are you sure you disabled the Bellsouth firewall, or did you just exit the tray app?
I play from behind a router reliably, static lan config and port forwarding, works like a charm.

Well, I guess what I'm proposing is couldn't the six or seven downloads, that have to be downloaded before the "server" download, be put together as one download and installation?

You coders are very good at what you do.  Just wondering if you can get together and create a single super download.

[Bonk]

I think you missed the first link, that is exactly what Pestalence has done with the OP Enhancement Package - it is a "single super download"... unless I have misunderstood what you propose...

http://www.dynaverse.net/downloads/sfc2_op/Updates_Enhancements/OP_Enhancement_Package_v3.2.exe

as described here:

http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163355999.0.html  (newer version than I linked in the post above.. sorry)

 

[Father Ted]

I'm trying to find the right haiku for Tracey, besides the obvious tire flap one that Chuut and I dredged up the other day:

Since I couldn't find anything pertinent, I figured I'd just throw a jem out there:

MYTHOLOGY

In ancient legend
Once lived singing fish much like
Big Mouth Billy Bass