LAN party problems (Router is my switch)

[GiGaBaNE]

Last night i tried to multiplay and had problems.

The first plan was to join an online game (i saw 2 availible) but when i tried to join them, the next screen was a broken version of my last 'Host game' screen. no players came up, i could play with the options such as fog of war e.t.c(even tho i was a client not the host), but i couldnt get it working properly.

The second plan was to Host a game and have a 2nd PC on my lan to join me ...same symptoms.

Finaly i pulled 2 comps from the network and configured them to work with a cat5 x-over. that got the game working fine (with the usual desync bugs and other wz quirks).

First ill mention that i have no problems at all with 8 player lan party with my router on retail version((no need to open ports or anything else for that matter)tho i have never joined a wan game in retail).

Second. i put one of the PC's in the DMZ and forwarded the ports to the other comp.

i dont know of a way to tell the router to ignore traffic on port:xxxx for all computers in lan =(

FYI:
IP assignment - Dynamic (totaly under my control and understanding tho)
Router - Safecom SWAMR-54125
connected machines  4* 10/100 (i hate wires) 6* 54G (lol can anyone tell i build and collect computers)
any help would be awsome! i need to meet human commanders that can beat me =/

[GiGaBaNE]

ok i really need help with this...i have allowed warzone.exe in windows firewall and my 3rdparty firewall, even opened the ports 9998/9999 on tcp and udp through windows firewall.

ive tried portforwarding and dmz and both at same time, lol. even tried in ipfiltering.
dropping NAT does wreck my web capabilites...


  ???  :-[    :'(  >:(

[Giel]

As long as you're _not_ using your WAN port nor use DMZ your router should just act similar to a dedicated switch. You will then when playing warzone need to enter the IP of the host when selecting join game.

[kage]

if all else fails, know that firewall software for windows (including "the windows firewall") are generally not convenient in these matters -- often you can take every step to officially make an exception for a program, its ports, etc, and it'll still get silently blocked -- you should do one test with all firewalls off, as it's the only way to be sure (if it makes you feel better, and it really is a lan environment, then disconnect the lan from the internet).

[GiGaBaNE]

as to software firewalls. it works fine using a x-over ( PC to PC cable, using no hardware such as a router or switch) so it is definatly not software firewalls, they are configured correctly.

as to router, i shall remove all portforwarding and dmz controls to see if that works...Note: in x-over mode, the games do not broadcast, so i have to manually input ip adresses.

i still dont understand while running wz on a single computer that is in dmz, why do broadcasted games only show up as 8 cpu players and other misc quirks. getting online is more important to me than lan games because there is no challenge for me in this house 

[Kamaze]

I have added a virtual server with the ports 9999 and 9998, both, TCP and UDP, binded to my local address.
It works fine, with in the internet. I dont know how about the LAN.

[Giel]

Also important; if you're setting up a LAN game then *don't* use/rely on the lobby server. It will _not_ work. You will need to enter the IP address of the hosting computer manually.

[GiGaBaNE]

ok i cleaned all the rules, then made fresh allow for win firewall, 3rd party firewall and router.

it showed to games called yo duuuuuuuude. one was 1/4 players one was 2/4 players. both only half let me in..upto that screen i see with 8 ai players and the settings of MY last hosted game !?

i really dont know whats going wrong, i have attatched an image. will changing anything in here help? doubt it but i gotta ask.

[Serman]

Yo dudeeeeeeeeeeee 1 and 2 are both probably corrupted games.

Earlier, other corrupted games which stayed on the list for several days were
Ryos Game
Game Name
and Zarox & Playa

Zarox & Playa game made my machine freeze, the only alternative to restart it.

the other two took long to load, but then were also broken versions that you speak of.

In other news, LAN parties dont work on lobbyserver for some reason. Just enter the IP and computer name

[Giel]

In other news, LAN parties dont work on lobbyserver for some reason. Just enter the IP and computer name

Yes, as I stated above: don't use the lobbyserver for LAN games as it will not work (unless you don't use NAT, but almost everyone these days uses NAT).

[GiGaBaNE]

ok current news:
i can now connect lan parties through router, by manually inputting the ip.
i know for sure ppl on web can connect to my hosted games because i now run a test game as often as i can for others to see they are connecting fine check here for server availibility.

now i just need to find someone elses game and try to connect and all my woes are gone =)