Multiple LAN machines to external FShost server?

[Vchat20]

Hey there. Long time since I have posted here. WAAAAY too long.

Anyways, this new issue has just cropped up here recently. I know it's probably been covered before, but, quite frankly, the search function on the forum here sucks. >>

Anyways, I have two machines on the LAN here both running FS9. I would LIKE to have both connecting to an identical FShost server on the outside. Problem is that it requires you to forward a set of ports to your machine. And obviously you can't forward the same set to two machines at a time.

Is there possibly any way around this? I thought I remember there being an app around that basically acted as a directplay proxy on the network to allow this but I can't find it. Past that, the only other guess I had was to forward half the directplay port range to one machine and the other half to the other. But I dunno what extra set of problems this would create.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. =)

[Xyn_Air]

I want to make sure I am understanding your problem/question correctly:

1) You have two computers that are connected to the internet via the same modem; and,

2) You want to connect both computers to the same FS host server on the same session to fly from both computers at the same time.

Yes? No?  If yes, there shouldn't be any problem with this.  I am a bit confused.  To which host are you connecting and what problems exactly are you having?  Have you tried logging in with both computers to the SimV server?

Curious,
~Darrin

[Vchat20]

Yes and yes.

But the problem isn't that I can't connect. I can do that absolutely no problem. The problem comes in that I need to forward a set of directplay ports to the machine that's playing or else all hell breaks loose on the server. And unfortunately you can't forward them to two machines simultaneously. That there lies my problem.

And the server in question is the Ultimate Global Tour server.

[Xyn_Air]

Yes and yes.

But the problem isn't that I can't connect. I can do that absolutely no problem. The problem comes in that I need to forward a set of directplay ports to the machine that's playing or else all hell breaks loose on the server. And unfortunately you can't forward them to two machines simultaneously. That there lies my problem.

Now I must admit to being REALLY confused, and I will admit to have a base level of computer literacy (i.e. I can get connected to things I want to do and solve some basic connectivity issues, but I am nooooo tech).  But, just because I am curious, may have an idea, and more importantly, because it may help someone else help you, are you using Vista or XP? I know some of the DirectPlay features were disabled for Vista, and that can cause some connectivity issues.

Curious and confused,
~Darrin

[Vchat20]

Nope. XP here.

[eno]

You can forward the same ports to two machines on a LAN ..... you just have to set them up independently in the router settings.

If you couldn't then no LAN would be able to connect to the internet. I would suggest that it's a fault with the server that doesn't allow multiple connections .... I used to connect two comps to servers in the past ... one for flying and one for navigation and radar so the same ports were open on both computers.

[Vchat20]

You can forward the same ports to two machines on a LAN ..... you just have to set them up independently in the router settings.

If you can elaborate on that, it would be extremely helpful. Thanks. Unfortunately I have not seen an option like that myself so I'm somewhat lost.

[eno]

I take it you know how to forward ports through your router?

If so, then you have to set up and activate a set of rules for each computer.

[Vchat20]

Yes. And I think I'm getting the idea now. Just set up the same set of ports twice but forward each rule to different machines. My analytical mind says this will just create a mass of confusion for the fshost server, but eh. It's usually been wrong before so I'll try it.  :P

[eno]

There shouldn't be a problem with the server ...... If there is then it's either something that the host has set up to prevent multiple connections from the same IP..... or a fault with the server.