DoW multiplayer network tester (BACK UP AND RUNNING)

[Excedrin]

I've written a Java applet that tests whether port 6112 is properly forwarded to the outside world. This is hopefully useful in setting up a router or firewall.

http://66.134.89.225/~sic/nettest.html

[TBS]

I am changing the way in which this thread is to be used for tech support, I have removed all posts from the thread and locked it to prevent future posts being made. If, upon running the test, you want help then you should create a new thread containing the test results and an explanation of how you connect to the internet (including router make and model if you have one).

Now, for reference - to use the test you must be using a java compatible browser with java installed. If you believe you are using this but the test is not working then please post a thread.

A bad result

Sending udp packet from 6112 to 6112
Received from /66.134.89.225:6112 to 6112 "NAT detected"
udp port 6500 Receive timed out
udp port 27900 Receive timed out
udp port 27901 Receive timed out
udp port 29910 Receive timed out
tcp port 6667 Accept timed out
tcp port 28910 Accept timed out
tcp port 29900 Accept timed out
tcp port 29901 Accept timed out
tcp port 29920 Accept timed out

If your test results look like that then those ports are being blocked, most probably by your router but it could also be your ISP. To fix the problem (assuming its your router) you will need to set up port forwarding. This website explains the procedure for a wide range of routers.

If only some of the results show up as "timed out" then only those ports need to be forwarded.

A good result

Sending udp packet from 6112 to 6112
Received from /66.134.89.225:6112 to 6112 "udp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:6500 to 6500 "udp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:27900 to 27900 "udp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:27901 to 27901 "udp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:29910 to 29910 "udp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:51535 to 6667 "tcp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:51536 to 28910 "tcp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:51537 to 29900 "tcp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:51538 to 29901 "tcp pass"
Received from /66.134.89.225:51539 to 29920 "tcp pass"

If your test result looks like this then, in theory, everything is fine and you should be able to play DoW online without any issues. If you are still having problems then they could be caused by:

Gamespy being down
An ISP problem between you and gamespy
The DoW executable being blocked by a software firewall
Spyware and/or viruses

If you need any help identifying and solving your problem, please post a thread.

[Hordak]

Not sure if anyone's already done this, but I've written a guide to setting up your router that I thought I'd share. Also I don't really know what I'm talking about (lol) so I thought people could tell me where I'm talking crap. Please correct me where needed!

Here goes:

Ok this is a guide to setting up a router to work with Dawn of War. Bear in mind I can't tell you exactly how to do it as every router is different. For detailed instructions you will have to check your router's manual or help file. There are a lot of guides HERE if you need more information. The purpose of this guide is just to tell you what you need to do, and maybe help you along the way, but I won't be able to hold your hand through the whole process.

Before we start - make sure you know how to go into your router's settings. This is usually done by going into a browser and entering the address 192.168.0.1 but it varies from router to router. Get into the menu and have a look round, familiarising yourself with the options. BUT DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING YET!

To get set up your router for DOW you need to forward the ports that DOW uses. This is called several things, it will all depend on your router. It can be called Port forwarding, or Virtual Servers. You will need to find out what your router calls it. Try and find these words in your router's menu. They'll most likely be in the "Firewall" or "Security" section.

What you will need to do is set up port forwarding or virtual servers for each of the ports DOW uses. These all have a protocol (tcp or udp) and are numbered as follows:

udp port 6500
udp port 27900
udp port 27901
udp port 29910
tcp port 6667
tcp port 28910
tcp port 29900
tcp port 29901
tcp port 29920


Your IP Address

There is one more piece of information you need, the IP address the computer is using. Note, this won't be a number like 88.22.46.44, that is an external IP address. You need the internal IP address which is always 192.168.X.X. What the Xs are varies. This number may be shown to you in your router settings. It is the LAN address, not the WAN address.

If not, you can find it out. To get your internal IP address, go to Start > Run. Next type cmd and hit enter. This will bring up a black DOS window. In here type ipconfig and press enter. You should see your internal IP address. Ignore the rest of the information.

Note, this can change every time you come online, but it will usually be low numbers. It depends on how many computers there are on the router. The first computer to connect will usually be given 0.1 and so on. I'm telling you this because its worth doing the port forwarding for all ip addresses you're going to be using.

Ok now you have your ip address (write it down!) you can begin forwarding the ports. If the router asks for a start and an end port, these are both the same. ie Start 6500, End 6500, Start 6667, End 6667. Do this for each port, making sure to select the right protocol.


UDP and TCP

If you're setting up mulitple computers, you won't be able to have the same port for 2 ip addresses that are using UDP. You can have as many IP addresses on the same port as you want if they are using TCP. This might be a problem but I'm not too sure if it matters.


Checking it works

Ok once all your ports are set up for each computer (could be a lot!) try running the applet here: http://66.134.89.225/~sic/nettest.html. If you get a good result congratulations! You SHOULD be ok.


NAT

There is one result you can get however which I believe throws an almighty spanner in the works. "NAT Detected". If this comes up you're going to have problems when playing with other people who also get this result. This is because NAT, which stands for Network Address Translation, is where the router changes all the port numbers it uses anyway, so when you play with another user with the same problem your routers will be constantly translating addresses when they talk to each other, and this is what causes major lag.

Sadly I know of only one way to get round this problem, and it ain't pretty. (OK you can try turning NAT off in your router's settings, but this often causes problems for all the other computers on the network. Try it!) The only other way is to put your computer outside the router's firewall. Eek! Ok it's not too bad as you'll still be protected by the computer's firewall, and you can do it on a temporary basis when playing DOw.


Going outside the router's firewall

This is called DMZ. You should find this in your Security or Firewall section of your router's menu. All you need to do is enable it for your ip address. Then disable it when finished. This negates the need for any port forwarding and you should find it will solve all your router related lag issues. To check, run THIS program again.


Your computer's firewall

One last thing I recommend but it's not always essential, is to go into your computer's firewall software, and ALLOW all the ports mentioned above. You'll have to work out how to do this yourself. It'll probably be in the "Exceptions" bit of your software.


Still having trouble?

Then I have one recommendation. GET A MODEM!!! You can pick up a USB one for pounds now and even if you just use it for DOW it's worth it for all the hassle routers cause. If it's not an option, then all we can do is pray this problem gets fixed by the game developers, router manufacturers or Microsoft!