I SOLVED my port problems

[ShaneG_old]

[size=12]After searching the FSHost forum for a solution to my port problem, I found this:

http://www.portforward.com/english/rout ... rindex.htm

Do EXACTLY as they say without missing ANYTHING, and you should have everything set up correctly.

-Scroll down the page and find your router and click on the name.

-Skip the advertisment page

-scroll down and select Flight Simulator 2004

-next click on the Static IP Address guide and complete it exactly as it says to do!
Direct link: http://www.portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm
(Not all systems will work with this setup, that's OK, set everything back to default like it says, and then move on to the next step)

-follow the step by step instructions for EACH port listed. Where it tells you to enter 2302, make it 2300 instead.

Your router's firewall should look like this when you are done:
(differing router's will have differing pages, but the open ports will be the same, regardless of design or maker)




-Now, You must

[ShaneG_old]

I think this is why there are so many port problems:

Some people may not realize there are 101 ports to open with 2300-2400, and only open the two leaving the other 99 closed,

but wait, aren't those the FS2002 ports you ask....


read this explanation of Multiplayer ports from the FSHost creator:

[quote]I've had a couple of emails from people asking why the tests fail on their machine even though FS2004 and/or FSX seem to be working ok.

I've seen that happen before.

[JBaymore]

Thanks for posting this in detail Shane.  Maybe it will help.

This info is and has been "out there"... it is just that people will not make the effort to DO it because it typically affects OTHERS... not them enjoying their flying on-line.

And yes... opening those 100+ ports is a "labor of love" in the annoyance factor category.  Did it long ago....... and thought it was CRAZY,....as well a a bit scary. 

The REAL issue here is Microsoft putting such an absurd situation into play for the original software for multiplayer use.  This software is intended for the casual user..... NOT the computer and network guru.  WHAT were they thinking? 

best,

..................john

[ShaneG_old]

Digging around in the stickies here will produce similar results! 

http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 1220714574

[Sir_Crashalot]

I will apply all those things tonight. I do not use the Windows firewall but the free version of Zonealarm. Do I have to open all those ports in there too? Or should I do it anyway just in case?

Crash

EDIT: Just checked something. Fsporttest still says that there is a problem and times out after three seconds. However, using the porttester of Utorrent (I know. Don't ask.) tells me that all the ports I need (23456, 23457, 23458, 6073 and 2300-2400) are open and working. Now what? Firewall disabled for the time being.

[ShaneG_old]

Those ports should be open regardless of which firewall you use. Any kind of closure prevents signal from traveling, and that appears to be what causes the problem, at least that how I read it.

I've just taken the habit of shutting down my windows firewall before doing multi player, and now I know for sure that my router is truly set up correctly.

[Fozzer]

I purchased the "Port Forward" download program (

[ShaneG_old]

I have no choice, I HAVE to use a router here.

If I had it my way, it would be gone, quickly. But it isn't a problem anymore. 8-)

And I didn't buy that silly program of theirs, I just followed the instructions and did it manually. Takes less time than a NickN system tweak.

[Sir_Crashalot]

See EDIT in my previous posting.

Crash

[ShaneG_old]

See EDIT in my previous posting.

Crash

Which ports does it time out on with FSport test?

And is the firewall off when you run it?

[ShaneG_old]

This is a complete list of all ports that will be tested and

[Sir_Crashalot]

This is with all the right ports open in my router, all firewalls disabled.

Crash

[ShaneG_old]

Just to make sure all of the bases are covered, have you done the 'Static IP address' setup at the PortForward link?

http://www.portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

[Sir_Crashalot]

Just to make sure all of the bases are covered, have you done the 'Static IP address' setup at the PortForward link?

http://www.portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

Yes, i do have a static ip address. Just checked each and every port using the Utorrent porttester. They are all open. Any other random port is closed as it should be. I think, no I know I did everything I had to do. Still going to open all the ports in Windows Firewall, just to make sure.

Crash

[ShaneG_old]

That would be the only other thing I could think of that we've done different then. :-/

It took me about 5 minutes to do them all, and damn near gave me carpal tunnel.