FSX Multiplayer

[VENUM VCVW11]

Good day.

I hope I'm posting in the correct forum and have tried multiple searches on this topic with no luck so I'm posting my question here. We are a virtual airline flying FSX Acceleration with tac pack and superbug. As of recent we have noticed that some members are unable to see each other in multilayer while others can. Everyone is using the same air craft and have same scenery.

Have have also tested without joining vrs addons and just FSX stock Cessnas. again we can see each other join at the airport. While in taxi its looks as if the other member isn't moving and stuck at the parking spot and they're reporting that they're right behind you. Its come to a point of fustration and can't seem to figure this out. Any help or guidance would greatly be appreciated and thanks in advance!

[garymbuska]

I have not flown online for some time now but I seem to remember a problem like what you describe
The first thing I would contact the group that you use
The problem has to do with timing so to say
While on line your computer is trying to display the scenery and the others are doing the same thing because of the differance in speed there will be times like this and unless you are using a V P N others online will slow the network down and cause the same proble
This is one of the reasons why I stopped flying on line
A V P N does not have as many problems as your group are the only ones on it

[Fozzer]

I often tootle around the World in Multiplayer, in FS 2004 and FSX, with the various "FS Host" Servers....

But its a vary lonely world nowadays, compared to what it used to be many years ago!

Its lost its popularity now, and most of my old, familiar Chums have abandoned it long ago!

Paul....G-BPLF.... ...!

[VENUM VCVW11]

hello again.

We tested extensively yesterday with multiple members. It seemed to help by disabling windows firewall and anti virus programs. We we're able to see everyone after a clean reboot. However after the first first ended, joined up on the server again and once again we couldn't see one member. Just doesn't seem right when you can see the member at their parking but reporting that they're behind you. You can see them moving flaps and flickering their lights, really weird I tell you.

We don't have many problems, this is the only issue. Members are able to join in anytime and fly and this only happens randomly. Just wish we could pin point it instead of having to guess trail and error. We own and operate our server and don't use FS host or nick nacks as this would probably further cause an issue. Really to be honest I don't understand why anybody would run third party hoster if you can host yourself. That's how we connect via direct connection.

As far as the community for this outstanding simulation, it is up to us (the community) to keep it going even if problems arise. Our wing was established in 2004 operating a totally different platform called JANES 18 by electronic arts. We re-established the wing with FSX w/ VRS Superbug and tac pack. Is the community dead? No. We continue to grow as a virtual military til this day. We have more than a handful of members (totaling 9) that fly on a regular basis. Its up to the admins to make sure their community strives by flying with their members instead of pushing paper work. One major down fall with many organizations and I'm not trying to knock on any by saying that but this is what destroys a once powerful community.

Anyhow if anyone runs across this issue explained above please post your comments or questions. I'll try to answer to the best of my ability. I appreciate your time and responses and thanks in advance!

[garymbuska]

hello again.

We tested extensively yesterday with multiple members. It seemed to help by disabling windows firewall and anti virus programs. We we're able to see everyone after a clean reboot. However after the first first ended, joined up on the server again and once again we couldn't see one member. Just doesn't seem right when you can see the member at their parking but reporting that they're behind you. You can see them moving flaps and flickering their lights, really weird I tell you.

We don't have many problems, this is the only issue. Members are able to join in anytime and fly and this only happens randomly. Just wish we could pin point it instead of having to guess trail and error. We own and operate our server and don't use FS host or nick nacks as this would probably further cause an issue. Really to be honest I don't understand why anybody would run third party hoster if you can host yourself. That's how we connect via direct connection.

As far as the community for this outstanding simulation, it is up to us (the community) to keep it going even if problems arise. Our wing was established in 2004 operating a totally different platform called JANES 18 by electronic arts. We re-established the wing with FSX w/ VRS Superbug and tac pack. Is the community dead? No. We continue to grow as a virtual military til this day. We have more than a handful of members (totaling 9) that fly on a regular basis. Its up to the admins to make sure their community strives by flying with their members instead of pushing paper work. One major down fall with many organizations and I'm not trying to knock on any by saying that but this is what destroys a once powerful community.

Anyhow if anyone runs across this issue explained above please post your comments or questions. I'll try to answer to the best of my ability. I appreciate your time and responses and thanks in advance!

Like I said Before while flying online one is at the mercy of the host that they connect to. You have to under stand how this all works. As each person logs on to the host the host will pick it up and start responding but bexause of different transmission and receive rates plus each computer, speed it does not allways sync up like it should.
By shutting down your firewall that will help but not completly.
Basicly the only true way of connecting would be for someone in your group purchase a server and set up a VPN network this way only the people in your group are on line and the odds increase that it will work correctly.
If you are using FSHOST that network is as old as dirt and not very reailable. It depends on the time of day and how many others are online.
A host is nothing more than a computer acting as a server running what is called a server software system.
This can get really complicated just google setting up a VPN and that might explain it better than I can
check out the link
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030763/ ... today.html

[VENUM VCVW11]

Thanks garymbuska for your replies. I really appreciate it, really.

I think I understand what you are saying with the sync. I'm still confused as why a VPN would help FSX. I read the link you provided but doesn't seem that a VPN would matter as I own and operate the server computer. I have a dedicated computer(server) running only FSX as the host and our teamspeak server and nothing else and everyone including myself on a different computer are connecting to it via the external IP to that computer. A VPN allows access to the server which they already have so I don't know or see why a VPN would be necessary as they already connect to the server via IP in FSX. If you don't mind a little elaboration could help. Maybe I'm missing something hosting the server side.

Thanks again

[Fozzer]

The thing that I have always liked about "FS Host" is that their many Servers are ALWAYS on-line, 24/7.
All I have to do is pick a FS Host Server from the list, publish/PM their IP address to my mates, and we all join together at any time, day or night.

FSHost Spy....>>> http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost ... nload.html

A private Host Server will only be on-line providing his/her computer is switched on, and running.
If the computer is switched off for any reason, the IP connection is immediately lost....(They have gone to bed for the night!).
This problem always occurs, as we have found, with Members using their own computer IP Address as the Host Server.

Private Host Server is OK for a small, restricted group of pilots to agree to fly together at a pre-arranged time.

FS Host Pilots can join in with anyone else who happen to be on-line with a Server, at any time!

Perfect for a quick fly-around!

Paul....FS Host.... open to anyone..at any time... ...!

[VENUM VCVW11]

The thing that I have always liked about "FS Host" is that their many Servers are ALWAYS on-line, 24/7.
All I have to do is pick a FS Host Server from the list, publish/PM their IP address to my mates, and we all join together at any time, day or night.

FSHost Spy....>>> http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost ... nload.html

A private Host Server will only be on-line providing his/her computer is switched on, and running.
If the computer is switched off for any reason, the IP connection is immediately lost....(They have gone to bed for the night!).
This problem always occurs, as we have found, with Members using their own computer IP Address as the Host Server.

Private Host Server is OK for a small, restricted group of pilots to agree to fly together at a pre-arranged time.

FS Host Pilots can join in with anyone else who happen to be on-line with a Server, at any time!

Perfect for a quick fly-around!

Paul....FS Host.... open to anyone..at any time... ...!

This computer (server) is always on except the ocassional reboot in the morning. I own this server and it never shuts down as it is open for our squadron to fly as members are from Australia, east coast, central and pacific so it provides an environment aside where we fly as a military organization.. I have my regular PC witch I also connect to this server so there is not one ounce of downtime that our server has. Its always running 24/7. I used to use FS host but since you still have to run a PC to host the server anyway, there is no need to run the 3rd party hoster (FS Host) as I run it independently. Provides better connection with LAN direct connection IP which you do anyway with FS Host. You still have to run an independent server for it to list and keep it on, if not it disappears off FS Host. All FS host does is allow you to use additional functions provided by the software they provide.

Thanks for your reply Fozzer!

[VENUM VCVW11]

Here are a few pics when its working correctly and this was today

[Fozzer]

Very nice shots... ...!

..but I suspect that my little Cessna 150 Aerobat Tourer will always look out-of-place with all you high-speed military types....

...and my little Bensen Gyrocopter will never keep up with you lot... ...!

Paul....quietly touring California every day....(including NAS Lemoore).... ...!

[garymbuska]

Okay In your case none of what I said applies The problem might KEY WORD MIGHT have to do with displaying the scenery.That is the only thing I can think of that might cause this other than some other random reason that might show up on Tuesday after 4:00 PM.
It could even be the order in which each person process the scenery.
In case you do not know when you first install FSX it creates what is called a scenery cfg file and FSX displays that file in a certain order. So what might be happening is you might have the scenery that you use to fly online with in say position 12 where some one else might have it in Position 20 this could
cause what you are seeing
But I have to be honest with you I am not 100% sure on any of this.
I hope you get it figured out I am interested as to what you find out

[pegger]

Normally these types of things happen as a result of poor network data transfer. It's a finicky aspect of FSX online that has always plagued the sim. The biggest cause of this is what's known as flooding events. This means that a certain aircraft in use by one of your players is sending far too much data into the network, and the result is a breakdown in data transfer between other players. The biggest indicators of this lagging coms in game, or laggy, stuttering, or rubber banding aircraft.

The superbug however is known to be a reliable multiplayer aircraft, designed to not cause flooding. So if all of you are using only that aircraft, you should be ok in that regards. Perhaps try to see if the problem only occurs when you introduce aircraft other than the superbug.

Also, tell your flight group to set their fps limiter to 30. There is no need to go higher than that in FSX multiplayer, and doing so is actually detrimental to the servers ability to keep up with the data packets.

It could also be the tacpac. Consider that every object that you launch/deploy with tacpack gets handled like it is another aircraft. The effects and flight path needs to be sent to every player, and that is even more network traffic. Do some testing to see if you can replicate the occurrence with certain events.

Also what concerns me, is you say it is one player who does not show properly. Is it always the same player? Could be that players network connection is weak or his computer can't keep up with the high data rates. In this case, it doesn't matter how good your server computer is...the weak link becomes the other players computer.

And as for scenery causing this type of behaviour, that's just not something to even consider. Scenery rendering is performed on each individual players computer...NOT inside the server. Each player can have different scenery add-ons and settings and it makes no difference to how the server performs. The only scenery issues with online play is if the runways/mesh/objects in one players computers is different than anothers. And all that does is make each player see the others aircraft in bizzare locations.

[VENUM VCVW11]

Thanks guys for your great feedback and tested with same results. However it did help a bit. We were able to get at least airborne then they strayed off into the distance lol.

After fierce searching and many hours of reading I believe I found the problem. Not only do the ports 6112-6122 need to be opened, the following ports were mentioned in another forum 6073, 23456, 2302-2400 need to be opened on the router. I gave it a shot tonight with 7 members online and success! we all flew together with no further problems seeing each other. It was a relief and seems to be running great now.

Again gentlemen I really do appreciate your attention to our problem and without your guidance I would have never figured out the issue. Thanks a million!

[garymbuska]

Thanks guys for your great feedback and tested with same results. However it did help a bit. We were able to get at least airborne then they strayed off into the distance lol.

After fierce searching and many hours of reading I believe I found the problem. Not only do the ports 6112-6122 need to be opened, the following ports were mentioned in another forum 6073, 23456, 2302-2400 need to be opened on the router. I gave it a shot tonight with 7 members online and success! we all flew together with no further problems seeing each other. It was a relief and seems to be running great now.

Again gentlemen I really do appreciate your attention to our problem and without your guidance I would have never figured out the issue. Thanks a million!

I hope this solves your problem
But like I stated the problem you are having is one of the reasons why I stopped flying online. It just got to be to much of a hassle .
I have flown for several VA'S and have logged 100's of hours on multi-player and my experience can be best described as a mixed bag. Sometimes it worked others not so lucky It was weird you would be flying along and all of a sudden a plane would pop out of no where right in your flight path or you would be on short final and all of a sudden a plane would pop up on the runway.
At least by doing it the way you are you do not have to deal with that.