Topic: Problems logging onto D2 with SMC Barricade

[Tumulorum Fossor]

Hi, all!

I've been off the SFC2 bandwagon for awhile, but since the release of the OP+ shiplist (thanks to FireSoul, Strafer, etc.) I've been trying to get back on.

I reinstalled and patched OP, as well as GameSpy software.  I (re)enabled my GameSpy account.

But after starting up OP, after selecting Play Dynaverse2, and going onto the login screen, I get the "Welcome to Dynaverse2" message as well as the 'checking for updates' message, but even after filling in the Name/Email/Password fields (which I assume are to correspond with the GameSpy account), the LOGIN button remains blacked out and unselectable.

I've tried setting my PC to the DMZ, which, theoretically, should open all the ports, but no luck.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

-TF

[Tumulorum Fossor]

Okay, was just able to enable the LOGIN button by directly clicking into my cable modem and bypassing the SMC Barricade switchbox.

So the problem is there despite enabling the DMZ.

Any recommendations as to how I should configure the Barricade router?

What routers are other people using without problems?  I also use XBox Live and this router misbehaves there, too, despite DMZing it.  Anyone also playing D2 AND XBoxLive with a router that they like?

Thanks,

TF

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I logged into the D2 from behind an SMC Barricade 7004ABR
(not wireless) once successfully.

I used the DMZ and it worked. Be sure to enable ping from the
WAN side and disable the firewall if on. If it still does not work
try configuring your LAN statically, then assign the DMZ to the desired PC
(right way to do it).

The Barricade does not have the port forwarding capabilities to play
on the D2 outside the DMZ. As I recall it will only forward single ports
where directplay needs the 2300-2400 range.

I use a Linksys BEFSR41, and it works quite well.

Be sure to use the latest firmware for whatever router you use.  

[Scipio_66]

Quote:
"It's not a Tumor" Fossor once asked:
What routers are other people using without problems?  I also use XBox Live and this router misbehaves there, too, despite DMZing it.  Anyone also playing D2 AND XBoxLive with a router that they like?

Thanks,

TF  

I am clueless about what will or will not work with Xbox.  However, I've been using a Linksys router with my Dynaverse play for about a year now.  Once you get the ports properly forwarded it works with no problem.  I can't remember the ports off the top of my head, but they are in your EAW manual.  (And someone is bound to chime in with them here any moment now.)  They may be listed in the OP manual, but I don't know.  (You wouldn't be able to read the small type there anyway!   )

The only glitch I've ever hit happens when I try to run a server on one machine, and play on another through the same router.  Despite forwarding all the ports indicated in the EAW manual, I cannot draft others even though they can draft me.  This can prove annoying as it forces you into playing "rock".

But if I'm playing on someone else's server, no worries.

-S'Cipio

[Tumulorum Fossor]

Whelp, still no success.
So for completeness' sake the following is an excerpt from http://www.strategyplanet.com/sfc/sfc2/faq_online.shtml#online

BEGIN
For those of you who has a firewal of some sort. Here are the ports you need to open for Starfleet Command.

Ports for running a server:
15101
15300
28100
6667
27900
Ports for clients and hosting multiplayer:
47624
2300-2400
6500
GameSpy Ports:
6667 (IRC)
80 (HTTP)
27900 (Master Server UDP Heartbeat)
28900 (Master Server List Request)
29900 (GP Connection Manager)
29901 (GP Search Manager)
13139 (Custom UDP Pings)
6500 (incoming, UDP and TCP, default roomquery port; can be customized with roomqueryport=<port #> in svc.cfg)
END

Of note, for the game Dungeon Siege, just to compare:
from http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320020 :
BEGIN
Dungeon Siege requires that the following UDP and TCP ports be open to start multiplayer games:
Connection to ZoneMatch: 2300 UDP
News and AutoUpdate: 80 TCP

When a multiplayer game is in session, Dungeon Siege uses the following DirectPlay ports:

Connection Ports for Client Configuration Ports for Host Configuration
Initial UDP Connection  6073 Outbound for Joining 6073 Inbound for Hosting
Subsequent UDP Inbound 2302-2400 2302-2400
Subsequent UDP Outbound 2302-2400 2302-2400
END


And here's a good article on DirectX and which ports need to be enabled.
From http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;240429 :
BEGIN
To play DirectX games through a network firewall or proxy server, the following requirements must be met:
To ensure DirectPlay compatibility, the latest version of DirectX should be installed on the computers used by all players who participate in the game.
The following TCP and UDP ports must be open on the firewall or proxy server:


Using DirectX 7 method:
Connection Ports for Client Configuration Ports for Host Configuration
Initial TCP Connection 47624 Outbound 47624 Inbound
Subsequent TCP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400
Subsequent TCP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400
Subsequent UDP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400
Subsequent UDP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400



Using DirectX 8 method:
Connection Ports for Client Configuration Ports for Host Configuration
Initial UDP Connection  6073 Outbound 6073 Inbound
Subsequent UDP Inbound 2302-2400 2302-2400
Subsequent UDP Outbound 2302-2400 2302-2400

To determine the DirectPlay method for games that utilize the DirectPlay Lobby service, follow these steps:
On the Windows Start menu, click Run.
In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then click OK.
Click the Save All Information button to save a Dxdiag.txt report.
Click Desktop, and then click Save.
Open the DxDiag.txt file on your desktop and find the section marked "DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps".

Note that each game listed here will report either "(DX7)" or "(DX8)" which corresponds to its DirectPlay connection method.

Note DirectPlay8 games can work with the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) capabilities of Windows XP. When the game begins hosting, enumerating, or connecting, the appropriate ports will automatically open and when the game shuts down, these ports will automatically close.
END

Here's a more promising article (though the best link in it seems to be dead.. Auggh!.
From: http://www.gamespyarcade.com/helpers/workshop/routers/#SMCBarricade
BEGIN
SMC Barricade DSL Router
Visit NetGamer's SMC 7004BR Barricade and DXPort configuration page.

Special Applications
SMC7004ABR, SMC7004AWBR, SMC7008ABR
After reviewing the documentation on the SMC Barricade DSL Routers, I believe that the following will work for DirectPlay applications. In the Setup | Advanced Settings | Special Application menu, use 47624 TCP as trigger, then 2300-2400 ports as "public ports" these are both TCP and UDP so you may need two lines to do this. And don't forget to click enabled.

SMC7004BR, SMC7004WBR, 7008BR
I believe that some routers (7004BR, 7004WBR, 7008BR) firmware has an option for some applications in the Special Applications menu.

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Because DMZ exposes all ports it is inherently less secure. I recommend that you use DMZ only if other methods fail. You should use other means to protect the machine from compromise.

I don't believe that you can forward a range of ports with the Barricade Routers. So, you will have to put the machine you wish to play in the DMZ. Don't forget to remove the machine from the DMZ when you are done playing as it exposes that machine and thus your entire network to a potential intruder.
END


Anyhow, I'll keep plugging away.

-TF


 

[Gumby]

 You lost me at "Whelp".........................
   

[Tumulorum Fossor]

HAHAHAHAHA!

Problem SOLVED!

Here's what you do if you want to log onto the DynaverseII with an SMC Barricade Router:

Buy a new router!  I got the D-Link DI-604 because it was cheap and labelled as "XBox Approved" by Microsoft.

Crummy reasons?  Maybe.  But it works. And I like it better than the f#$@king Barricade.

Bye!

-TF

[Cleaven]

Last year the DLink firmware did not support port ranges either. How recent is the firmware date? If things have changed I will dig out my DI-804 and see if it works. The DirectPlay code used in SFC2 would not work correctly in all drafting situations on the DLink, so I bought a Linksys and had no router problems since then.  

[Tumulorum Fossor]

Well, I have a different D-link of course, but the code revision is from 3/2003.  So it's quite fresh.

I like it a lot more than the Barricade, I can tell you that.

The thing that pissed me off the most about the Barricade was that even when the PC was put into the DMZ, it STILL wouldn't work, meaning I KNOW the Barricade was still putzing it up.

But I think it's worthwhile for you to break out the DLink and see how it goes.

-TF