Topic: D2 Down Today?

[Space Oddity]

I was playing right along last night, but got the 'ole "can't find the directory of servers" message, today.  Perhaps D2 is down?

Thanks

[Bonk]

Some hardware upgrades are underway this weekend, should be done soon.

[FPF-Tobin Dax]

firewall message now........

[FA Frey XC]

Are we still seeing this?

Regards,

[FA Frey XC]

Should be back up.

Regards,

[Bonk]

Hmmm I can't see it. Let me try again... nope, still can't see it.

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Was able to log in to D2 with no problems. 17:41 Eastern Time

[KBFLordKrueg]

Tried just now, got firewall message...
NOT "directory servers not found", just a firewall detected.
Backed out, dbl checked, everythings off, even checked GaySpy for updates...
2 other attempts got same result...Hmmm....
Donno...nothing has changed with my system since the last time I logged in there about a week ago...

[Bonk]

Oh, good, I was worried it was just me and my ISP cut me off or something.  Perhaps its a DNS thing and since I'm out in the wilds it will take a while to get here?

Edit: nope that's not it...

nslookup client.sfc.dynaverse.net
Server:  opal.nbnet.nb.ca
Address:  198.164.30.2

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    heimdall.xenocorp.net
Address:  67.78.36.183

Looks right...

[Bonk]

I tried disabling all my network connections and yanked all the cables except for the dial-up modem, just to be sure OP wasn't looking for the directory server on the LAN... still no joy.

I've double checked \MetaAssets\ServerProfiles\Multiplayer\WONServerSetup.gf

0="client.sfc.dynaverse.net:15101"
1="client.dynaverse.net:15101"
2="sfc2.directory.stasis.ca:15101"

Hmm we should ditch that stasis.ca entry as it is no longer there?

Is there any possibility that I'm getting the firewall message because I've disabled images, javascript and activex in IE? (I know this broke my desktop, who knows that else... I wonder if StarFleetOP is using IE during the D2 login process at some point? I suspect so... I'll try resetting IE to the default settings and see if that makes a difference.

Let's double check DNS:

nslookup client.sfc.dynaverse.net
Server:  opal.nbnet.nb.ca
Address:  198.164.30.2

Non-authoritative answer:
Name:    heimdall.xenocorp.net
Address:  67.78.36.183
Aliases:  client.sfc.dynaverse.net

check...

nslookup client.dynaverse.net
Server:  opal.nbnet.nb.ca
Address:  198.164.30.2

Name:    freyja.xenocorp.net
Address:  67.78.36.180
Aliases:  client.dynaverse.net

check... not running there tho...

C:\Documents and Settings\Admin>nslookup sfc2.directory.stasis.ca
Server:  opal.nbnet.nb.ca
Address:  198.164.30.2

*** opal.nbnet.nb.ca can't find sfc2.directory.stasis.ca: Non-existent domain

We should ditch that one.... a new directory server updater is in order eventually...

I am going to test this by making all three entries in WONServerSetup.gf client.sfc.dynaverse.net:15101  (we could watch port 15101 on Freyja and see if clients are hitting it....)
EDIT: nope setting all three entries to client.sfc.dynaverse.net:15101 made no difference.

I reset all my Internet Explorer settings to the default, that did not make any difference. (shot in the dark)

I think I've tried just about everything I can at this end.

[KBFLordKrueg]

I just tried 3 times in a row, rebooting the game each time...
Same message as I posted earlier. 

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Just tried again to make sure everything was OK, it is server side..
The firewall message is so general unfortunatly.. all I can suggest for now is process of elimination to quadruple check your settings to make sure nothing has changed.. if you have multiple OP installs with the message.. then it will be something recently changed on your system(COMPUTER, or router/network LAN, or LAN to WAN configuration), if its only on one of your multiple OP installs, then it will deal with the configuration of that OP install, and if you only have one OP install it'll be harder to isolate, so then I could only suggest going through all your network LAN, router, NAT, Modem configs and make sure the XP firewall did not sneak back on for whatever reason

[Pestalence_XC]

Bonk on your post above you have

0="client.sfc.dynaverse.net:15101"
1="client.dynaverse.net:15101"
2="sfc2.directory.stasis.ca:15101"

remove the quotation marks then try logging on. this seems to help with the firewall issue for some unknown reason.

[Bonk]

Bonk on your post above you have

0="client.sfc.dynaverse.net:15101"
1="client.dynaverse.net:15101"
2="sfc2.directory.stasis.ca:15101"

remove the quotation marks then try logging on. this seems to help with the firewall issue for some unknown reason.

Just tried that, no joy.

This is ironic. I cannot connect - has the world gone mad? hehe

I see Krueg is still having the same trouble as I though. Otherwise I would think it is something weird on my end.

I suspect something has changed that must be reflected in the directory server inis. I just can't remember... let me try and find my notes....

I just had a look at the current server settings... looks the same as it did two years ago. There are a few other things running. The ones that disturb me are sleep.exe and rtvscan.exe.

Why can SFHQ connect but not Krueg or I? Lets see, why might that be?

I check my client settings against SFHQ's - the same.

Has anybody other than SFHQ been able to get to the serverlist?

[Strayy]

Bonk, didnt you run the DX9 update....   maybe thats playin hell with things???

[Bonk]

Bonk, didnt you run the DX9 update....   maybe thats playin hell with things???

Oh. my God...   Strayy - good thinking!

I think that means a windows reinstall if I can't remove it! (poop - I can't afford to do that.)

Lemme try from my Kubuntu install, under wine, I was able to login from it last time I tried - that would avoid a windows reinstall.

Problem is my Kubuntu install wont start ever since I upgraded my video card, I'll try booting Kubuntu from CD, then edit the startup files to skip X so I can uninstall/install graphics drivers from the command line anbd see if I can get Kubuntu running again.

The irony of April fools day is not lost on me here...

Krueg, did you apply that directx update as well?

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

humm, I did the DX9 update as well...

BTW Bonk, Sleep.exe is for the Negotiator Auto Killer for SFC3 access servers. It is a batch file which uses the SLEEP command to wait between checks.

EDIT: BTW, Other people must have been able to connect since there are 2 people logged on to the Boneyard

[Bonk]

Cool, thanks again for the info SFHQ. Did you do the directx websetup update or the full install? I did the full install...

Maybe its my connection. The best I can get now is 26.4Kbps. Maybe its just too slow? It used to work at 28.8.

I'm going to try and get my Kubuntu install running again and test from there, as I can get a better connection speed in Linux.

[Corbomite]

I had a little trouble earlier (Sunday I think), but I can get on. The check for a patch sequence seems to be taking a bit longer than usual though.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Just tried again to make sure everything was OK, it is server side..
The firewall message is so general unfortunatly.. all I can suggest for now is process of elimination to quadruple check your settings to make sure nothing has changed.. if you have multiple OP installs with the message.. then it will be something recently changed on your system(COMPUTER, or router/network LAN, or LAN to WAN configuration), if its only on one of your multiple OP installs, then it will deal with the configuration of that OP install, and if you only have one OP install it'll be harder to isolate, so then I could only suggest going through all your network LAN, router, NAT, Modem configs and make sure the XP firewall did not sneak back on for whatever reason

No multiple installs, never have...checked my FIOS router, settings are the same as when I set it right after we got it, triple checked all other settings with firewall, etc.
All is as it should be...
I play Battlefield2, MechWarrior4 and Warcraft online just fine...only OP seems to have issues. I tired again a few minutes ago, still getting firewall message, and I noticed as well the "patch check" time is very long, more so than usual, so I even double checked Gamespy for updates, none found.
I'm the only one who uses this system, so no one else did anything I don't know about, and it's used almost exclusively for gaming, so it's unlikely some nasty got into it.
WHY IS OP SO DAMNED FINICKY WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE?! 
I donno...

[KBF-Kurok]

 I did the dx update and had no problems logging on last night. I hope you guys get it worked out.

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Cool, thanks again for the info SFHQ. Did you do the directx websetup update or the full install? I did the full install...

Maybe its my connection. The best I can get now is 26.4Kbps. Maybe its just too slow? It used to work at 28.8.

I'm going to try and get my Kubuntu install running again and test from there, as I can get a better connection speed in Linux.

I just did the web install since I'm on DSL, but believe me I remeber my days only a year and a half ago with evil dial-up. 26.4Kbps I think SHOULD be OK.. I remeber being as low as 19.9Kbps on rainy days before and though naturally slow, OK on the internet and OP also was OK.

[Bonk]

Makes sense. I'm currently working on the assumption that the full march08 directx install has borked the Dynavese for me.

I am going to do a fresh Kubuntu/Wine install and get OP up and running on it again to see if I can connect, to eliminate the directx update and connection speed as possible issues.

I'm off to get a pack of smokes to see me through this, be back in a few hours...

[Pestalence_XC]

Just tried again to make sure everything was OK, it is server side..
The firewall message is so general unfortunatly.. all I can suggest for now is process of elimination to quadruple check your settings to make sure nothing has changed.. if you have multiple OP installs with the message.. then it will be something recently changed on your system(COMPUTER, or router/network LAN, or LAN to WAN configuration), if its only on one of your multiple OP installs, then it will deal with the configuration of that OP install, and if you only have one OP install it'll be harder to isolate, so then I could only suggest going through all your network LAN, router, NAT, Modem configs and make sure the XP firewall did not sneak back on for whatever reason

No multiple installs, never have...checked my FIOS router, settings are the same as when I set it right after we got it, triple checked all other settings with firewall, etc.
All is as it should be...
I play Battlefield2, MechWarrior4 and Warcraft online just fine...only OP seems to have issues. I tired again a few minutes ago, still getting firewall message, and I noticed as well the "patch check" time is very long, more so than usual, so I even double checked Gamespy for updates, none found.
I'm the only one who uses this system, so no one else did anything I don't know about, and it's used almost exclusively for gaming, so it's unlikely some nasty got into it.
WHY IS OP SO DAMNED FINICKY WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE?!
I donno...

Try disabling your software firewall and configure your router for the proper ports for SFC OP.. I know SFC does not like software firewalls AND it also does not like active anti-virus going when trying to play online.. turn off Anti-Virus and Software Firewall on the system, then configure your router for proper ports and try logging on..

[Bonk]

Pretty sure Krueg knows all that. I'm having the same trouble (no router, no AV, no software firewalls). Straight dial-up connection.

[Pestalence_XC]

Makes sense. I'm currently working on the assumption that the full march08 directx install has borked the Dynavese for me.

I am going to do a fresh Kubuntu/Wine install and get OP up and running on it again to see if I can connect, to eliminate the directx update and connection speed as possible issues.

Let me get my game configured and see if I can get Vista to log in.. I have SP 1 installed along with March 13th release of DirectX (9.0c v LE and 10.1)..

For stability, I also have to add Direct X runtime files manually from the April DirectX 9.0c SDK into the System 32 folder and the sysWOW folder (28 DX files not used in Vista some of which OP needs in the system32 folder and 8 goes into the sysWOW folder).. then again I am running 64 bit OS, but have had no problems except minor server lagging when playing OP..

Let me get a fresh install going and get the DirectX set up correctly.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Pretty sure Krueg knows all that. I'm having the same trouble (no router, no AV, no software firewalls). Straight dial-up connection.

Yeah...I do.
I do have the DX update as well.
I never run AV, firewalls, etc with SFC, or any other time I'm gaming online.
As far as the Verizon FIOS router, since the first day we got it I've never had to open ports or any of that and the router firewall has been disabled since I hooked it up because all the PCs on it have software firewalls.
And I've checked all my settings a dozen times, everything is as it's supposed to be.
And last week, I was on and playing just like always with no issue what so ever.
I had this same issue about a year ago, but finding a GSA update I didn't know about solved it.
Not so this time...*sigh*

[Pestalence_XC]

Hmmm..

Well here is a new one on me...

I had installed DX end user update March 13, 2008.. the 34 MB installer before I installed Vista SP 1..

After installing Vista SP 1, re-ran the March 13 update and it said I had equivalent or newer version installed.. so all is OK..

Just now, I Downloaded the March 7, 2008 DirectX Redistributable 64 Mb package and ran it.. it just updated about 16 of my Direct X files that the March 13th Updater did not check..

the March 13th DirectX install may not be a complete package.. Try the March 7th    69 Mb package located at

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=740AC79A-5B72-447D-84F9-EE6407ED1A91&displaylang=en

and see if this helps.

[Pestalence_XC]

I just re-ran the March 13th update.. says Equal or newer version again.. so I guess I am completely up to date on current DX install.. now to try out OP.. Give me a min to install OP Enhancement and then log in..

I should have no problem logging in.. I have Road Runner Turbo on here...

10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up... so connectivity should be no problem for me.

[Pestalence_XC]

OK.. running SFC OP with OP Enhancement Package v5.1 in OP + v4.0 using Mod Chooser...

Have not updated missing files from Direct X 9.0c SDX as of yet into Vista ...

Running game in XPSP 2 compatibility mode (Win 2K compatibility mode may be better or smoother since the game wa built in Win 2K.. however XPSP 2 compatibility mode works just as well).. and running as Administrator..

Launched game, went into networking.. and waited for Directory Server Log in.. after about 3 min, I got Firewall message..

ALT-F4

Relaunched game immediately

Directory server access poped right up.. logged in, and got on BoneYard server.. although that took me a bit to get a character created due to missing DX files.. however I did get on the server without incident..

so it may be that you don't have a complete DirectX update.. i recommend the 69 Mb installer I posted above.

EDIT: I was running with Firewalls turned off and Anti-Virus Disabled...
 

[marstone]

I just checked I can log into the Dynaverse with the new DX update.  OP with the 5. something installer/updater/everything under the sun package.

Logged in no problem, played alittle, everything looks alright on my machine with the new DX

[Bonk]

Hmmm... velly intelesting... I did use the full 69.5 MB offline installer here.

I just got back from the store. (what a nice walk, - 10Km - I think spring has finally sprung! the snow has started melting and I can smell the spruce and manure spread in the fall! )

Anyway, I'm going to do a fresh Kubuntu/Wine/OP install now and see if I get any joy, as I still cannot connect from windows.

[Bonk]

Nvidia and Linux do not mix.

So I'm going to try reinstalling that march08 directx offline installer. Too bad MS does not use NSIS which has an internal CRC32 check on the installer integrity. They don't even provide an MD5 hash for comparison. 

[Pestalence_XC]

I was online last night playing without much incident using Vista and the DirectX 69 Mb installer.

[Bonk]

Cool. Good to know. I'm documenting my connection trials here:
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163379916.0.html

[Bonk]

Holy cow! I think I found my problem:

>tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net

Tracing route to heimdall.xenocorp.net [67.78.36.183]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1   145 ms   138 ms   136 ms  rhsyts16c.nbnet.nb.ca [142.166.251.2]
  2   158 ms   137 ms   136 ms  142.166.251.1
  3   182 ms   134 ms   131 ms  ge-1-2-0.cr02.stjh.nb.aliant.net [142.166.209.66]
  4   170 ms   133 ms   133 ms  rtp629047rts [64.230.203.29]
  5   174 ms   132 ms   131 ms  core1-saintjohnnb_POS5-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.167.61]
  6   208 ms   169 ms   170 ms  core1-saintjohnnb_POS0-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.167.33]
  7   213 ms   143 ms   150 ms  bx4-montreal02_so-0-0-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.170.174]
  8   164 ms   143 ms   143 ms  if-6-0-0.mcore4.MTT-Montreal.teleglobe.net [216.6.115.29]
  9   195 ms   175 ms   175 ms  if-3-0.core2.NTO-NewYork.teleglobe.net [216.6.115.22]
 10   210 ms   156 ms   160 ms  216.6.97.66
 11   169 ms   153 ms   149 ms  216.6.97.22
 12   154 ms   158 ms   161 ms  vlan79.csw2.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.68.16.126]
 13   232 ms   160 ms   163 ms  ae-74-74.ebr4.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.69.134.117]
 14   216 ms   161 ms   161 ms  ae-3.ebr4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.132.93]
 15   231 ms   158 ms   162 ms  ae-94-94.csw4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.134.190]
 16   170 ms   164 ms   161 ms  ae-91-91.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.134.141]
 17   201 ms   176 ms   179 ms  ae-2.ebr3.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.132.85]
 18   207 ms   178 ms   179 ms  ae-71-70.ebr1.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.138.18]
 19   222 ms   208 ms   209 ms  ae-5-5.car2.Houston1.Level3.net [4.69.132.237]
 20   271 ms   209 ms   209 ms  ae-11-11.car1.Houston1.Level3.net [4.69.132.233]
 21   239 ms   209 ms   207 ms  ROADRUNNER.car1.Houston1.Level3.net [4.79.88.30]
 22   270 ms   212 ms   212 ms  gig2-0-0.dllatxchn-rtr6.tx.rr.com [72.179.205.75]
 23   261 ms   215 ms   212 ms  gig1-30.dllatxgar-rtr3.tx.rr.com [70.125.217.115]
 24   214 ms   214 ms   213 ms  gig14-1.dllatxgar-ar41.tx.rr.com [70.125.216.94]
 25   306 ms   229 ms   258 ms  rrcs-67-78-36-183.sw.biz.rr.com [67.78.36.183]

Trace complete.

...seems a bit much. I've yet to test a fresh install of OP though.

[Highlander11]

Can I just ask what mod that server is running to I can attempt to join?

[Pestalence_XC]

For that server, you need Nuclear Wessels last mission package and OP + v4.0 that is about it..

for easier reference.. you can just get the OP Enhancement Package v5.1 and have everything for OP at one time.

[KBFLordKrueg]

Holy cow! I think I found my problem:

>tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net

Tracing route to heimdall.xenocorp.net [67.78.36.183]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1   145 ms   138 ms   136 ms  rhsyts16c.nbnet.nb.ca [142.166.251.2]
  2   158 ms   137 ms   136 ms  142.166.251.1
  3   182 ms   134 ms   131 ms  ge-1-2-0.cr02.stjh.nb.aliant.net [142.166.209.66]
  4   170 ms   133 ms   133 ms  rtp629047rts [64.230.203.29]
  5   174 ms   132 ms   131 ms  core1-saintjohnnb_POS5-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.167.61]
  6   208 ms   169 ms   170 ms  core1-saintjohnnb_POS0-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.167.33]
  7   213 ms   143 ms   150 ms  bx4-montreal02_so-0-0-0.net.bell.ca [64.230.170.174]
  8   164 ms   143 ms   143 ms  if-6-0-0.mcore4.MTT-Montreal.teleglobe.net [216.6.115.29]
  9   195 ms   175 ms   175 ms  if-3-0.core2.NTO-NewYork.teleglobe.net [216.6.115.22]
 10   210 ms   156 ms   160 ms  216.6.97.66
 11   169 ms   153 ms   149 ms  216.6.97.22
 12   154 ms   158 ms   161 ms  vlan79.csw2.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.68.16.126]
 13   232 ms   160 ms   163 ms  ae-74-74.ebr4.NewYork1.Level3.net [4.69.134.117]
 14   216 ms   161 ms   161 ms  ae-3.ebr4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.132.93]
 15   231 ms   158 ms   162 ms  ae-94-94.csw4.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.134.190]
 16   170 ms   164 ms   161 ms  ae-91-91.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.134.141]
 17   201 ms   176 ms   179 ms  ae-2.ebr3.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.132.85]
 18   207 ms   178 ms   179 ms  ae-71-70.ebr1.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.138.18]
 19   222 ms   208 ms   209 ms  ae-5-5.car2.Houston1.Level3.net [4.69.132.237]
 20   271 ms   209 ms   209 ms  ae-11-11.car1.Houston1.Level3.net [4.69.132.233]
 21   239 ms   209 ms   207 ms  ROADRUNNER.car1.Houston1.Level3.net [4.79.88.30]
 22   270 ms   212 ms   212 ms  gig2-0-0.dllatxchn-rtr6.tx.rr.com [72.179.205.75]
 23   261 ms   215 ms   212 ms  gig1-30.dllatxgar-rtr3.tx.rr.com [70.125.217.115]
 24   214 ms   214 ms   213 ms  gig14-1.dllatxgar-ar41.tx.rr.com [70.125.216.94]
 25   306 ms   229 ms   258 ms  rrcs-67-78-36-183.sw.biz.rr.com [67.78.36.183]

Trace complete.

...seems a bit much. I've yet to test a fresh install of OP though.

And that means...? That a greek document to me. What does it indicate your problem is?
Last night, out of sheer desperation, I did a fresh install of OP.
I still get the firewall message. 
I've gone over and over my settings, probably a hundred times, and can't figure it out.
I even tried taking my FIOS router out of DMZ mode and opening the ports instead, no joy.

And, OP is still the only game out of 3-4 I play on a semi-regular basis online that gives me issues...

[Bonk]

"tracert" stands for "Trace Route" and that is exactly what the command does.

That means: it looks like too many network hops to me, the added latency could be enough to cause the firewall detector server to timeout. Also the more hops between me and the directory server increases the likelyhood that my packets will pass through some superhorny ISP filter somewhere and get blocked. The directory server behaves exactly like many port scanning programs or scripts, I imagine many security devices flag this kind of thing now and either drop the packets or put them at the lowest priority.

The thing is, I think I would have gotten a similar tracert the last time I was able to login to the Dynaverse. So I don't know if this is the issue or not, I am just leaving no stone unturned.

Have patience Krueg (I know you have lots ), I will get to the bottom of this one way or another. Unfortunately this has stopped me working on other more fun stuff like the sprites file or my NSISBASS radio stuff. I will not return to those tasks until we solve this.

There have been some changes on the net recently: http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/25/2124224

Most likely totally unrelated, but as I said, I am leaving no stone unturned.

Part of the new hardware that went in at Dynaverse.net/Xenocorp.net in the last weeks was a new gigabit switch to increase the speed of all things local, but the directory server itself is not connected locally any longer (another change). Next time I'm talking to Frey I'll get the details of exactly what hardware the directory server is connected to the net through. It is possible there is some niggly little setting somewhere that has been neglected or forgotten.

Curious Krueg, can you post a tracert to sfc.client.dynaverse.net for comparison? A tracert from SFHQ who can connect would be good too... if we have way more hops than people who are connecting that may be the issue and it may be possible to adjust the directory server firewall detector to account for it.

Since others can connect I am still assuming this is a client side issue, but certainly have not ruled out serverside issues as a possible cause.

[Bonk]

The question is why only us two? What do we have in common? Are we the only two with this issue?

Funny you're on FIOS and I'm on dial-up - the two extremes of speeds. This might tell us something. Did you check out the Speed test thread in engineering. I'd be curious to see your results.

The fact that I have a very slow connection and you have a very fast connection tells me this is more likely a serverside hardware issue. (new switch, changes to the sonicwall firewall - or lack of..). Frey is confident that the directory server is set up exactly as it has been in the past and I do not doubt him, I just wonder if there is something we have missed...

[KBFLordKrueg]

And just when I'm ready to toss the whole system out the window...
I try for about the 20th time today, and...poof...it logs me on pretty as you please...
I try again 5 times...the 4th time I get a firewall message, but the 5th logs in just fine...
*sigh*
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...

[KBFLordKrueg]

"tracert" stands for "Trace Route" and that is exactly what the command does.

That means: it looks like too many network hops to me, the added latency could be enough to cause the firewall detector server to timeout. Also the more hops between me and the directory server increases the likelyhood that my packets will pass through some superhorny ISP filter somewhere and get blocked. The directory server behaves exactly like many port scanning programs or scripts, I imagine many security devices flag this kind of thing now and either drop the packets or put them at the lowest priority.

The thing is, I think I would have gotten a similar tracert the last time I was able to login to the Dynaverse. So I don't know if this is the issue or not, I am just leaving no stone unturned.

Have patience Krueg (I know you have lots ), I will get to the bottom of this one way or another. Unfortunately this has stopped me working on other more fun stuff like the sprites file or my NSISBASS radio stuff. I will not return to those tasks until we solve this.

There have been some changes on the net recently: http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/25/2124224

Most likely totally unrelated, but as I said, I am leaving no stone unturned.

Part of the new hardware that went in at Dynaverse.net/Xenocorp.net in the last weeks was a new gigabit switch to increase the speed of all things local, but the directory server itself is not connected locally any longer (another change). Next time I'm talking to Frey I'll get the details of exactly what hardware the directory server is connected to the net through. It is possible there is some niggly little setting somewhere that has been neglected or forgotten.

Curious Krueg, can you post a tracert to sfc.client.dynaverse.net for comparison? A tracert from SFHQ who can connect would be good too... if we have way more hops than people who are connecting that may be the issue and it may be possible to adjust the directory server firewall detector to account for it.

Since others can connect I am still assuming this is a client side issue, but certainly have not ruled out serverside issues as a possible cause.

Well, I probably could if I had a clue as to how to do that...
If you can expain how to do so (in layman's terms  ) I will do so...

[Bonk]

lol! It hates us!

I was just thinking of all the people in the community to be unable to login to the Dynaverse, you and I are two that are rather important to the community. (Though every player we have is valuable and appreciated of course.)

But to have the Klingon leadership and the developer of the OCI unable to login is downright evil.

I'll try some repetitions here too, usually I give a connection attempt three strikes, I'll go with five attempts. Its rather time consuming though with so many trials to perform.

If you have made a fresh OP install I will not bother. This is more and more looking like a serverside networking hardware issue. Note also that Symantec Corporate AV is intalled on the directory server IIRC and God only knows when it will decide to interfere, yes Frey, I know it was always fine before but I just cannot trust Symantec not to corrupt running processes in memory or network communications... and its constantly updating itself, continually changing its behaviour... like a virus.

[Bonk]

Well, I probably could if I had a clue as to how to do that...
If you can expain how to do so (in layman's terms  ) I will do so...

Not too hard...

Start...Run... "cmd" ( press enter)
Type: tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net (press enter - wait)
Right click the bar at the top of the command prompt window, select Edit...Mark then use the mouse to highlight all the output. Then without clicking anywhere else right click the menu bar at the top of the window again and select Edit...Copy... then paste it into a forum post. (using the fixedsys font in a forum font tag will preserve the spacing - but its not necessary).

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

A tracert from SFHQ who can connect would be good too... if we have way more hops than people who are connecting that may be the issue and it may be possible to adjust the directory server firewall detector to account for it.

I'll have one for you as soon as I get home in about 4 hours

[KBFLordKrueg]

Well, I probably could if I had a clue as to how to do that...
If you can explain how to do so (in layman's terms  ) I will do so...

Not too hard...

Start...Run... "cmd" ( press enter)
Type: tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net (press enter - wait)
Right click the bar at the top of the command prompt window, select Edit...Mark then use the mouse to highlight all the output. Then without clicking anywhere else right click the menu bar at the top of the window again and select Edit...Copy... then paste it into a forum post. (using the fixedsys font in a forum font tag will preserve the spacing - but its not necessary).

OK...

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net

Tracing route to heimdall.xenocorp.net [67.78.36.183]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  Wireless_Broadband_Router.home [192.168.1.1]
  2     8 ms    10 ms     7 ms  L100.VFTTP-50.TAMPFL.verizon-gni.net [96.228.177
.1]
  3    11 ms    10 ms     9 ms  G12-2-650.LCR-06.TAMPFL.verizon-gni.net [130.81.
105.18]
  4    48 ms    22 ms    22 ms  so-6-0-0-0.PEER-RTR1.ATL81.verizon-gni.net [130.
81.17.141]
  5    21 ms    22 ms    22 ms  66.109.9.141
  6    26 ms    22 ms    22 ms  ae-2-0.cr0.atl20.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.170]
  7    42 ms    42 ms    42 ms  ae-3-0.cr0.dfw10.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.36]
  8    44 ms    42 ms    42 ms  66.109.6.89
  9    41 ms    43 ms    41 ms  gig2-0-0.dllatxchn-rtr5.tx.rr.com [72.179.205.73
]
 10    46 ms    48 ms    47 ms  70.125.217.79
 11    47 ms    48 ms    46 ms  gig1-30.dllatxgar-rtr3.tx.rr.com [70.125.217.115
]
 12    47 ms    46 ms    47 ms  gig14-1.dllatxgar-ar41.tx.rr.com [70.125.216.94]

 13    53 ms    54 ms    55 ms  rrcs-67-78-36-183.sw.biz.rr.com [67.78.36.183]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>

There...
Out of curiosity, I tried logging in 20 times in a row to see how many failed.
None did...  I donno
Whatever it was preventing me from logging in has gone away as mysteriously as it appeared.

[Corbomite]

Out of curiosity, I tried logging in 20 times in a row to see how many failed.
None did...  I donno
Whatever it was preventing me from logging in as gone away as mysteriously as it appeared.

Tribbles in yer engine room laddy? 

[KBFLordKrueg]

Out of curiosity, I tried logging in 20 times in a row to see how many failed.
None did...  I donno
Whatever it was preventing me from logging in has gone away as mysteriously as it appeared.

Tribbles in yer engine room laddy? 

Well, obviously, it was of Federation doing...what else could it possibly be? 

[vortex79]

Only server I don't see is Strayy's, the one I play on x.x :-P

[Highlander11]

For that server, you need Nuclear Wessels last mission package and OP + v4.0 that is about it..

for easier reference.. you can just get the OP Enhancement Package v5.1 and have everything for OP at one time.

Can someone link me to the patch? not sure which one it is on this site



EDIT: Nevermind! found it! doh!

[Bonk]

OK...

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net

Tracing route to heimdall.xenocorp.net [67.78.36.183]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  Wireless_Broadband_Router.home [192.168.1.1]
  2     8 ms    10 ms     7 ms  L100.VFTTP-50.TAMPFL.verizon-gni.net [96.228.177.1]
  3    11 ms    10 ms     9 ms  G12-2-650.LCR-06.TAMPFL.verizon-gni.net [130.81.105.18]
  4    48 ms    22 ms    22 ms  so-6-0-0-0.PEER-RTR1.ATL81.verizon-gni.net [130.81.17.141]
  5    21 ms    22 ms    22 ms  66.109.9.141
  6    26 ms    22 ms    22 ms  ae-2-0.cr0.atl20.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.170]
  7    42 ms    42 ms    42 ms  ae-3-0.cr0.dfw10.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.36]
  8    44 ms    42 ms    42 ms  66.109.6.89
  9    41 ms    43 ms    41 ms  gig2-0-0.dllatxchn-rtr5.tx.rr.com [72.179.205.73]
 10    46 ms    48 ms    47 ms  70.125.217.79
 11    47 ms    48 ms    46 ms  gig1-30.dllatxgar-rtr3.tx.rr.com [70.125.217.115]
 12    47 ms    46 ms    47 ms  gig14-1.dllatxgar-ar41.tx.rr.com [70.125.216.94]
 13    53 ms    54 ms    55 ms  rrcs-67-78-36-183.sw.biz.rr.com [67.78.36.183]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>

There...
Out of curiosity, I tried logging in 20 times in a row to see how many failed.
None did...  I donno
Whatever it was preventing me from logging in has gone away as mysteriously as it appeared.

Bloody hell. I still can't get in, I just made six consecutive tries, all failed.

We are at the two extremes. Your tracert shows only 13 hops and very low latency, compared the the 25 high latency hops to me.

This is most disturbing. I'm glad you can connect but I'm still stuck! 

It occurs to me that we had a nasty ice storm here last week and winds have been in the range of 80-120Km/hr for the last three days straight, perhaps the line from the house to the pole or between the poles themselves have suffered more damage taking my connection quality below some usable threshold. It has been dropping altogether more often recently.  (just did as I was trying to make this post)

[Bonk]

I can see the directory server with the Flipside Client (see attached image) , but for some reason OP cannot. That points to a fresh OP install. Considering Krueg did one and connect now as well.

Well I guess its time for a long overdue cleanup and backup to make room for a fresh OP install.

[Bonk]

WHOAH HO HO... what do we have here? Where did this second registered firewall detector come from? Who's IP address is that? Very suspicious. Very, very, very suspicious and extremely disconcerting.

[Bonk]

Oh, wait... how many servers are up right now? One? Is this IP Strayy's or the Boneyard?

OrgName:    MPOWER COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
OrgID:      MPWR
Address:    175 SULLY'S TRAIL
Address:    SUITE 350
City:       PITTSFORD
StateProv:  NY
PostalCode: 14534
Country:    US

NetRange:   208.57.0.0 - 208.57.255.255
CIDR:       208.57.0.0/16
NetName:    MPOWER-001
NetHandle:  NET-208-57-0-0-1
Parent:     NET-208-0-0-0-0
NetType:    Direct Allocation
NameServer: NS2.MPOWERCOM.NET
NameServer: NS1.MPOWERCOM.NET
Comment:   
RegDate:   
Updated:    2001-12-28

RTechHandle: ZM147-ARIN
RTechName:   MPOWER COMMUNICATIONS CORP
RTechPhone:  +1-702-310-4578
RTechEmail:  ip-mgmt@mpowercom.net

OrgAbuseHandle: MIAA-ARIN
OrgAbuseName:   Mpower IP Abuse Administrator
OrgAbusePhone:  +1-877-642-4375
OrgAbuseEmail:  ip-abuse@mpowercom.net

OrgTechHandle: MITA-ARIN
OrgTechName:   Mpower IP Technical Administrator
OrgTechPhone:  +1-702-310-4578
OrgTechEmail:  ip-mgmt@mpowercom.net

[Bonk]

Looks like the serverkit can talk to the directory server just fine from my connection. I am running a test server. Can anyone confirm its in the serverlist? (actually I just saw a client query hit it so it can be seen in the serverlist)

Interestingly it has not added me to the list of firewall detectors as shown by the Flipside client. Which makes me suspicious about that second firewall detector (A misconfigured serverkit? A hacker?)

And since I am closer to New York than Texas, I'll probably hit that firewall detector first.

Are any other Canadians able to get to the serverlist (in OP)?

Might be time to fire up a sniffer to look closer at this. I guess Wireshark 1.0 was released recently too!

If that New York IP address is not one of our server hosts (Strayy's or The Boneyard) then we should ban it instanter.

Who runs The Boneyard? I need to contact all of our active admins ASAP.

[KBF-Kurok]

ya i saw your server

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Code: [Select]

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Starfleet HQ>tracert client.sfc.dynaverse.net

Tracing route to heimdall.xenocorp.net [67.78.36.183]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  192.168.1.1
  2    17 ms    15 ms    16 ms  user-1121s01.dsl.mindspring.com [66.32.240.1]
  3    17 ms    16 ms    18 ms  dir03-vl-5.ga-atlanta0.ne.earthlink.net [199.174.118.1]
  4    17 ms    16 ms    16 ms  cor02-ve-96.ga-atlanta0.ne.earthlink.net [209.165.96.17]
  5    17 ms    16 ms    17 ms  bor01-g2-4.ga-atlanta0.ne.earthlink.net [207.69.223.169]
  6    17 ms    16 ms    18 ms  acs01.ga-kingslan1.ne.earthlink.net [209.86.66.50]
  7    17 ms    17 ms    16 ms  gi9-2.core01.atl03.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.12.233]
  8    16 ms    18 ms    17 ms  po13-1.core01.atl01.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.5.113]
  9    17 ms    16 ms    15 ms  te3-3.ccr01.atl01.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.5.38]
 10    31 ms    30 ms    31 ms  te9-4.mpd01.iah01.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.24.6]
 11    37 ms    37 ms    37 ms  te7-1.ccr02.iah01.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.7.193]
 12    38 ms    38 ms    38 ms  te3-3.ccr02.dfw01.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.5.137]
 13    37 ms    37 ms    37 ms  te4-3.ccr02.dfw03.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.6.54]
 14    37 ms    36 ms    36 ms  te8-1.mpd01.dfw03.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.25.9]
 15    37 ms    36 ms    36 ms  twcable.dfw03.atlas.cogentco.com [154.54.11.50]
 16    41 ms    40 ms    42 ms  ae-1-0.cr0.hou30.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.180]
 17    40 ms    40 ms    40 ms  66.109.6.109
 18    45 ms    46 ms    45 ms  gig2-0-0.dllatxchn-rtr6.tx.rr.com [72.179.205.75]
 19    47 ms    46 ms    45 ms  gig1-30.dllatxgar-rtr3.tx.rr.com [70.125.217.115]
 20    46 ms    48 ms    47 ms  gig14-1.dllatxgar-ar41.tx.rr.com [70.125.216.94]
 21    61 ms    52 ms    55 ms  rrcs-67-78-36-183.sw.biz.rr.com [67.78.36.183]

Trace complete.

[Bonk]

Thanks SFHQ! 21 hops (not the best and not much different from my 25) but good low latency.

I don't think the route is the issue now. If you look at my last few posts it looks like we have a hacker on the directory server network, or perhaps someone is testing a copy of the directory servers locally inappropriately? Maybe there's weirdly misconfigured game server running out there? Perhaps the old titan servers have leaked out somehow into the wrong hands? In which case we will have to take drastic measures to lock it all down.

I searched for 208.57.228.3 and 208.57.* in the forums database - we have no registered members on that block. (or least not using an  anonymous proxy).

I need to talk both Strayy and the Boneyard admin ASAP.

[FCM_SFHQ_XC]

Already sent you a PM about it, but yea that does look somewhat suspicious.. especially considering the IP isn't pingable anymore, so yea, very very curious and suspicious..

[Bonk]

Once I get some info from the current game server admins, we may need to ban that IP, if we see a similar situation again we may need to implement authentication for the directory servers.

[Bonk]

Pestalence informed me that is the old Taldren forums IP address (surprised I didn't recognise it). So this may not be what I thought it was at all.

I guess I better do a fresh OP install. Call off the dogs for now.

[Bonk]

I am going to restart the directory servers shortly to remove that old Taldren firewall server entry, it can only help. So do not panic if you cannot see the serverlist, I will post here when its back up and will request that someone check the serverlist for me. I expect it will respond more quickly with that old firewall detector entry removed.

[Bonk]

Old firewall detector entry removed, old patch checks removed, directory servers restarted.

Can someone check the EAW, OP and SFC3 serverlists for me?


edit: Ah, just got a query on my OP test server. Is the serverlist coming up any faster than it used to?

Yup, SFHQ confirms, OP directory server working. Looks like the SFC3 one is ticking along too. Just need to confirm EAW now.


But I still can't login, waaaahhhh!  I guess I cannot put off an OP reinstall any longer.   It's what may have done the trick for Krueg, so I better do the same.

EDIT: WOW somebody was able to login on my test server, on this blazing fast 40Kbps up connection!    Taking my test server down now as it has served its purpose.

[Nemesis]

I was just on and saw 3 servers.  I logged into your (Bonks) test server.  I'm also on dialup and was doing uploads at the time so I can't really comment on the speed.

(Win2kPro DirectX 9.0c 4.09.0000.0904)  I didn't even try the recent DirectX update.

[Bonk]

Thanks Nemesis. I was quite surprised to see somebody actually login on my test server!  Sigh, I've got a bunch of backup work to do to make space for an OP reinstallation now.

[Bonk]

I got to the serverlist! (running OP under Wine on Kubuntu with a few directplay library overrides):
http://www.dynaverse.net/forum/index.php/topic,163377223.msg1122871291.html#msg1122871291
...so it is not my connection that is the problem, then on my windows install it's definitely something to do with my windows/directx/OP installs.

I did get a weird error starting up OP on windows the other day, it gave the the metnwmissionconfig.scr is not a valid windows image error, like the serverkit does. That never happened to me before. I note also that I have 305 scripts in my windows OP install, I wonder if that's too many? I think I'll try backing them up and try just putting the stock missions in. (Still fighting that reinstall, lol)

[Pestalence_XC]

Bonk, for some reason Windows XP and Vista has the same problem running the game windowed.. running full screen you don't get that problem.. go figure.. except it is on the NWConfig.scr file instead of the one you mention

I just remove *.scr file associations.. that use to be the old Win 95 screensaver file type and Windows nver changed it.

[Bonk]

Bonk, for some reason Windows XP and Vista has the same problem running the game windowed.. running full screen you don't get that problem.. go figure.. except it is on the NWConfig.scr file instead of the one you mention

I just remove *.scr file associations.. that use to be the old Win 95 screensaver file type and Windows nver changed it.

Interesting. Why? Because the op serverkit must be launched by double clicking the exe, using a shortcut or the process sentinel... if you just go to the directory and launch it from the command line it cannot get the missions for validation, it seems to depend on the window title. (probably ussing windows messaging API, I've gotten quite familiar with it working on my NSISBASS project) (The EAW kit does not exhibit this behaviour, it will validate the missions if launched at the command line.)

So my guess is the same applies to the client. Running windowed, it can get the path to the missions for validation, full screen it cannot. It occurs at startup time while the splash screen is still up, as it would in the serverkit. OP startiup time also seems heavily dependent on the size of the shiplist and the number of mission scripts installed.

Which brings to mind something else for your vista compatibility testing. When running a new server on a machine you must run a "Serverplatform.exe -install" at the command line to properly register the performance counter components of the serverkit. I suspect it is quite common to forget this.

[Pestalence_XC]

I have never run that.. I just unzip the package, put scripts and shiplist in, set the GF's and adjust the MCT file, then double click server platform.exe and away it goes.. never had a problem..

Let me check to see if that will help stability..

Where is Srtayy when you need him.. his server is running on Vista as well.

[Bonk]

The kit will run withour it, but it is just one of those things, you might as well do it to rule it out as a possible issue. You'll see instructions to do it in the original docs. (Hmm I can't seem to find it in the build 36 docs, perhaps it was in an earlier build or in the EAW docs... I'll dig that up here somewhere...)

It should also be done any time you move the kit or if you start up a new one in a different folder.

[Pestalence_XC]

It is in the EAW kit

Installation
1. Unzip contents into desired directory
2. Run serverplatform.exe –install from the command prompt
3. Run serverplatform.exe chose 1 to start the sever and press enter


It was not included in the OP kits.

[Bonk]

Thought so. Interesting, as in debug runs of the kit from the within the IDE, it was shown that the performancecoutner project is still an integral part of the OP serverkit.

[Space Oddity]

I guess The Boneyard is out of commission for awhile?  Guess I'll cruise the Tavern for the interim.  I wonder how hard it would be to host a D2 . . . I have a lesser PC networked via wireless adapter down in the family room (under a bunch of stereo TV ganglia) that seldom gets used.  Maybe I could have it be "always on;" of course, Comcast HSI hasn't been stable in terms of bandwidth (or packet loss?).  Plus, maybe wireless isn't so great if you want it to be stable.  Dunno.