Server connection issues from outside my network
 

Hello,
I'm having a slight issue with my configuration. I run The Sandbox, and recently rebuilt it all from scratch using the current svn's and database from PEQ. I've actually been playing on the server myself for a couple weeks and have had no issues. I have all of my ports forwarded, and even the extras for making DC edits and command line access to the server.

Here's whats going on... I noticed that I hadn't seen anyone on the server yet, and that's rare because I usually see people popping in to say hello and look around. When I checked the database i see tables for a couple dozen accounts, and about half of them have characters with 0 levels and are all at the same location in starting zones.

So this morning I brought my laptop into work and tried logging in from here, and sure enough... no good. I can get to the character select screen ok, but it disconnects about 30 seconds after trying to login. I did go through some of the logs and I don't really see much of anything... Here are some of them.

eqemu_zone.log
eqemu_debug_zone
world )Lots of op code errors here, but seeing as it works on my network are they normal?...)

I feel like this must be port forwarding related... This is the first time I've setup the server behind the router i'm currently using, maybe it needs more tweaking?

This router has a page for single ports as well as for ranges.

Under single ports I have these
22
9000
9080
10000

Under ranges I have these
7000-7500

I'd check your eqemu config to see if it matches your external address and ports.

Yeah I did all that... Now that I'm home I'm going to have another look.

I may have figured it out! Can't be sure until some people try it out though. I was doing some work on my network and adding an access point and discovered a wiring mistake... running clean now, and I'm hoping that was the problem.

Ok, this isn't resolved yet... I'm at a complete loss now. I have a pretty good understanding of both Linux, and networking, and I'm starting to think it may just be a problem with how this router forwards port requests...

Can you take the router out or put your server on DMZ for testing?

If you think there's a 100 things that could be wrong, it always ends up being the 101st...


U

I hadn't though of that... I just put the server in the DMZ, now all inbound requests should be going to it! Now I wait and see if we have any results... I didn't bring my laptop into the office today...

That must have done the trick since now I see someone is logged on and actually shows a level in the Database! Sweet! Now, what the heck is wrong with that router?... Oh well. Thanks for the idea, at least i'm now sure the server is fine.

</nod>

Double-check your router's settings in your manual and see if there's something that could be mimicking the effects
that you're seeing. (Googling your router make and model can sometimes bring up issues you're looking for.)

Try different patch cords (if you have anything left hard-wired.) Sometimes a mis-crimp can add unwanted capacitance and
partially filter out higher-frequency signals. (How many packet errors were you receiving?)

If your network is mostly wi-fi, you could have too much background noise/cross-talk that's interfering with network
signals. The network gear should lower its bandwidth automatically to help compensate (unless you forced a specific speed.)

Lastly, hardware can develop faults..even new out of the box.


U