Server Issues

[Phaser]

Hello Gentlemen,

As you may (or may not) know I am running a Server for Comanche 4 (Phaser's) It seems to me that all of you can connect, even tho it doesn't show a Ping Time! I cannot. I get the Ping Time but I cannot connect to my own server, I have changed my ISP and have used several different Routers, but the problem still exists. I believe it is something to do with the Game's Cfg file, but as I have no knowledge of what to do with this file, I dont really want to alter it unless I know what I am doing. Can anyone help me with this?

[Knuckles]

That is the same problem i had...

The way i joined was only by following these steps.

Try to join you game via Novaworld (of course it will fail)
Go back and set it for LAN, Search, your server should show and allow you to join

[Phaser]

Thanx Knuckles, I tried that but it still doesn't connect.

[Knuckles]

Can you post in detail your hardware specs for you host and game machine (OS too) along with your modem / router info?
It would be helpful to know what your working with.

If you want to try a shot in the dark, Open your C4.cfg file (on the host pc) and scroll to the 4th entry from the bottom...
mp_ServerGamePort = 0
Change that 0 to 17200 and Save it... cross fingers and hope it works.

But it sounds like some configuring on your network may be needed if that doesnt work.
Thats why im asking for your hardware info.

[Phaser]

Thanx Knuckles, where would I find all my computer information for me to send you the specs.
I have already tried changing the mp_server......to 17200 but it hasnt worked.
My router is a TP-LINK, model TD-W8960N, and it is a very complex router to configure.

[Terminator]

I'm having the same problem (No ping times listed with games) Anyone know what to change to make it happen?

[Reaper]

Most often, if players do not get a ping time listed to your server it is because the block wan request setting is enabled in the router. Un-check it and players should get a ping time. Think twice about letting players get a ping to your PC, The block wan option is to help hide your pc from hackers probing to get in.

As for other connection issues. The config file should not need to be changed besides those are option settings for the most part and the settings are 0-4 for most of them. As for router config. I have served C4 from numerous internet companys and used diff routers. I have always been able to host and join with out the problems I see players have here over the years.
here are a few things to check:

Turn off any firewall on the server pc, including windows.

Do not set port forwarding to port 17200, Use port range and set it from 17200-17500 there are times C4 will use a higher port than 17200.

When you are sure the router is port forwarded to the correct range and the correct pc used to host, and players can not join or you can not join from a second pc in the network: Set a stadic ip on the server pc (you needed to do this with some linksys routers in the past) and any pc inside the home network you will use to join the game with. Use the ip the router assigns to the computer as the stadic ip.

There are times when the internet server provider may need to change a setting on your connection to disable firewall settings, call and explain the issue you are having and ask if they can help.

[Phaser]

Thanks for the info Reaper, I have now set the router to allow the WAN thru. I would love to set a Static IP to my server but my ISP want over £100 ($160) to be able to do this.
Apparently my Ping Time is now showing (which is kool) and I can join my own server by going thru LAN IP. a bit of a hassle but at least I get there in the end!
Thanks Again my friends!

[Reaper]

Thanks for the info Reaper, I have now set the router to allow the WAN thru. I would love to set a Static IP to my server but my ISP want over £100 ($160) to be able to do this.
Apparently my Ping Time is now showing (which is kool) and I can join my own server by going thru LAN IP. a bit of a hassle but at least I get there in the end!
Thanks Again my friends!

You set the stadic ip on the server yourself, your ISP doesn't need to do it.

Most ISPs will change your ip address, a dial up connection does it every time you log on to the internet. Some high speed connections do it every few weeks or months. The internet address (ip address) is the address of your internet connection ie the addy you get from the ISP via the modem.

When you use a router, the router takes the ip address and then assignes an inter-network
(inside the home network) address to each machine that connects to the router inside the network. It does not matter if the machine connects to the internet or not, the router assigns each machine it's own address so the router can tell where to send data.

So now yor should understand the ISP assigns you an ip address, that can change, then if you use a router the router assigns addresses to each machine inside the network.

Problems Serving C4:
When you have having problems hosting a home network server and either other players can not join and/or the host can not join from a second pc in side the home network there are generally 2 reasons, one is a firewall issue ( a firewall is blocking the connection) the second is a port forward error.

Setting/fixing port forwarding:
To set port forwarding go to the router forwarding options and set the ports to forward port range 17200-17500 to the ip address assigned via the router to the computer you will serve with. Not the ip address assigned via the ISP as your internet address.
Often you set the port forward range and you can serve with no issues.

If players can see the server but can not join or you can not join with a second pc from inside the home network:
The first step is to set a stadic ip on the computer you will use to host, use the address assigned by the router to the server pc as the stadic ip address, there are numerous websites that explain how to do it for any operating system the computer runs. Just google it.

Next do the same thing for each computer that will join the game from inside the home network using the address the router assigned to that computer.

There is one last issue that can take place, Your ISP may use a NAT (network address translation) setting that blocks serving c4, If you are sure you have all firewall issues fixed, port forward is correct and you have set a stadic ip correctly on the server and player machines, call the ISP and ask if the nat may be the problem and if they can change the settings.

[Knuckles]

Phaser, I tried to join your server, but no joy. You may want to review Reapers notes because it seems something on your end has changed. I use to be able to join...