LAN plays great, WAN play not so much...

[Shiny151]

I've recently setup a Windows based XP server using vales guide here:

http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29043

Everything seems to work well on the LAN side of things. I've had multiple XP machines connect with no problems internally. WAN however is another story. I've opened all the proper ports based on some digging within the forums; 5998, 7000-7100 & 9000. Externally (WAN) they can connect and get to the character selection screen and create a character; but once they actually try to enter the world the screen turns black for a period of time and then they get a: "The server is not responding" message and they are kicked back to the server/login screen.

This is happening on external machines using Vista and XP, Intel/AMD single and multi-core cpus. I've come to the conclusion it is most likely a server issue which I cannot figure out.

Does anyone have any advice?

[Angelox]

Are you sure the people who are connecting have the proper client?
Have you opened the ports on you router too? Try setting your server PC to DMZ for a while, to test the latter.

[Yeormom]

It should definately work if your game server is in the DMZ but you'd need other security measures if doing that. Are you forwarding TCP and UDP or what?

[Shiny151]

Yeah I'm sure because I bought more than one copy for a friend and he's the one who has it. Plus I put another copy on my laptop for testing purposes. I also tried the DMZ idea but I'm getting the same problems. For safe measure I forwarded both TCP and UDP.

[Yeormom]

If the server was truly in the DMZ, then your problem is related to the IP address you're using in your config files. My guess is you are probably using your local address scheme, like 192.168.x.x in your configuration but when the server tells a client over the Internet or on another network that this is the server IP, the client tries to hit that address which is either non-existant or on his/her own network. You must put a public IP in your configuration file. Easiest way to get your IP address by visiting www.whatsmyip.org.

[leslamarch]

Originally Posted by Shiny151

Yeah I'm sure because I bought more than one copy for a friend and he's the one who has it. Plus I put another copy on my laptop for testing purposes. I also tried the DMZ idea but I'm getting the same problems. For safe measure I forwarded both TCP and UDP.

post your configs so we can have a look at what you have going on.

[Sylaei]

What is the eqhost.txt file setup? Inside (Lan) your server name needs to resolve to your internal address. Outside (Wan) your server name has to resolve to your internet Ip address. I created a name with Dyndns like coolplayground.dyndns.org.

This is a section of my eqemu_config.xml file:

		<shortname>MyCoolServer</shortname>
		<longname>This is my Cool Playground</longname>
		<!-- Only specify these two if you really think you need to. -->
		<address>coolplayground.dyndns.org</address>
		<localaddress>127.0.0.1</localaddress>
		<!-- Loginserver information.  -->
		<loginserver>
			<host>coolplayground.dyndns.org</host>
			<port>5999</port>
			<account></account>
			<password></password>
		</loginserver>

On each pc on the Lan, I added an entry into the hosts file, like this:

192.168.1.100     coolplayground.dyndns.org

Where 192.168.1.100 is the internal address of the server.

This allowed any pc to be able to resolve to the correct address and the server to also be able to 'find its self'.

There is a gotcha with dyndns. You must visit the site once every 30 days (free subscription), if not then they delete your account. When this happens no one will be able to connect to your server, inside or out. Change the eqemu_config.xml file or sign up with dyndns and recreate the name you had before.

HTH

[Shiny151]

I have tried both a dyndns.org name and the real external IP. I get the same result with both. The thing that boggles me is what would keep everyone from accessing the world server but not the creation character/login screen?

Here's my config file:

(I've inserted a few x's where the real external IP should be)

<?xml version="1.0">
<server>
	<world>
		<shortname>ShinysWorld</shortname>
		<longname>EternalNight</longname>

		<!-- Only specify these two if you really think you need to.  (read: You don't) -->
<address>71.156.xxx.xxx</address>
<localaddress>192.168.1.66</localaddress>

		<!-- Loginserver information.  Defaults shown -->
		<loginserver>
			<host>71.156.xxx.xxx</host>
			<port>5998</port>
			<account></account>
			<password></password>
		</loginserver>

		<!-- Server status.  Default is unlocked -->
		<!--<locked/>-->
		<!-- <unlocked/> -->

		<!-- Sets the ip/port for the tcp connections.  Both zones and console (if enabled).  Defaults are shown -->
		<tcp ip="localhost" port="9000" telnet="disable"/>

		<!-- Sets the shared key used by zone/launcher to connect to world -->
		<key>some long random string</key>
		
		<!-- Enable and set the port for the HTTP service.  Defaults are shown -->
		<http port="9080" enabled="false" mimefile="mime.types" />
	</world>

	<zones>
		<defaultstatus>20</defaultstatus>

		<!-- Sets port range for world to use to auto configure zones -->
		<ports low="7000" high="7100"/>
	</zones>

	<!-- Database configuration, replaces db.ini.  Defaults shown -->
	<database>
		<host>localhost</host>
		<port>3306</port>
		<username>mypequsername</username>
		<password>mypeqpassword</password>
		<db>peq</db>
	</database>
</server>

Thanks guys for taking time to look at this.

[Sylaei]

Try changing your localhost address from 192.168.1.66 to 127.0.0.1 and try it. Seems like I had a similar issue with mine when I first set it up.

Just a thought.

[Shiny151]

Originally Posted by Sylaei

Try changing your localhost address from 192.168.1.66 to 127.0.0.1 and try it. Seems like I had a similar issue with mine when I first set it up.

Just a thought.

Just tried it. Still getting the same thing. Thanks for the tip though.

[Sylaei]

Look in your logs folder and see if there is something in one of the world logs that tells you what is happening.

If you need to post part of the log or a link to dl it. You might want to clear the log folder then run the test. This will keep the log files smaller and easier to read.

[provocating]

I can play from anywhere, multiple people. I normally will even log in at my lunch break. I am using a DYNDNS account so I can probably help you.

<?xml version="1.0">
<server>
        <world>
		<shortname>Classic</shortname>
		<longname>AX Classic</longname>
		<address>fakename.dyndns.org</address>
		<localaddress>192.168.0.10</localaddress>
		
        <loginserver>
		<host>127.0.0.1</host>
		<port>5999</port>
		<account>admin</account>
		<password>admin</password>
        </loginserver>
                <key>make_your_key!</key>
                <http port="9080" enabled="true" mimefile="mime.types" />
        </world>
	<chatserver>
		<host>fakename.dyndns.org</host>
		<port>7778</port>
	</chatserver>
	<mailserver>
		<host>fakename.dyndns.org</host>
		<port>7779</port>
	</mailserver>
        <database>
                <host>localhost</host>
                <port>3306</port>
                <username>eqemu</username>
                <password>mypassword</password>
                <db>peq</db>
        </database>
</server>

In my router I am forwarding

5999 TCP and UDP
9000 TCP and UDP
7778/7779 TCP and UDP
7000/7100 TCP and UDP

Now the reason for the last 100 forwards is because I have 100 static zones.

[Shiny151]

Thanks Prov-

I'll take a closer look at my ports again based on your config.

One thing I have noticed is that, I'm using port 5998 and you're using 5999. Is that just the difference between the minilogin and the eqemulogin.exe login server method?

My entire setup is based on Vales server setup guide. I plan to take the weekend to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. I appreciate everyone's feedback and tips.

[provocating]

I guess ?

I am using the new privatelogin login server. It puts minilogin to shame.

[Shiny151]

For these lines:

        
<loginserver>
		<host>127.0.0.1</host>
		<port>5999</port>
		<account>admin</account>
		<password>admin</password>
        </loginserver>

Is there an actual login account/pass we set for this somewhere because I've never needed it for LAN play.