How do i run a PUBLIC server when using a ROUTER?

[.:Vinny:.]

I have spent ages trying to suss this out. Is it possible?

I have a router, and i want to run a server for the public on my computer. I have 5 PCs, & the router splits the BroadBand connection between all of them.

Please, somebody, HELP ME ! ! !

[DominionSpy]

Well the server will have a part of the settings for Port Forwarding. In my router it was very hard to find.

Once you find the section, you'll have to specify the port numbers you want to be forwarded (this will be the ports used by the MTA server like 2003 for client, 4000 for admin etc) and the internal ip to send packets to (something like 192.168.1.2).

[Scorp]

http://www.portforward.com/ has detailed walkthroughs for a huge amount of routers.

Guides that I read were confusing, because the names of different functions differed from router to router

[.:Vinny:.]

Okay, heres what ive done, and the problems i've had.

I opened up port 2003 for both TCP and UDP connection. The packets are supposed to be forwarded to my PC on the LAN, (internal IP 192.168.1.16).

In MTASERVER.CONF, my gameIP address is the external IP, as is the AdminIP.

When trying to connect to my Internet IP, i keep getting the error :

"Disconnected: Connection timed out. (Delay = 5 sec)". The server displays "QUIT: 'TEST', PlayerID = 0 . . . quit due to timeout."

However, when i connect through LAN, i can connect straight away.

I'm stumped

[Jani]

if u wanna play on LAN, set the game IP to localhost

[Blokker_1999]

yes, comment out that line again. The gameip line is intended for machines with multiple nics so that you can specify what nic/ip to use.

[.:Vinny:.]

No no no i dont want to run it on lan. My point is that the server says somebody is connecting, but the client keeps timing out.

If i take out TCP, and just open port 2003 for UDP connection, will it help?

[Jani]

my bad. if i were you, id plug the modem and the router directly into the server computer, then bridge the 2 connections and enable ICS. this way you dont have to worry about port forwarding on the server computer and you can still get broadband on the other computers. only downside is you have to leave the server computer always on or you wont get broadband on the other PCs

[Slothman]

that shouldnt be neccesary jani.

vinny, comment out the gameip llines, those are not neccesary unless you have 2 network cards. (just like blokker said)

also, aside from the router, check to see if you have other firewalls (windows firewall, norton security) and when trying to connect to your own server, type "localhost" in the ip bar, not either ip addresses.

If others still cant connect to you, call your isp and ask them if they are blocking the traffic on port 2003, or you can try another port.

[.:Vinny:.]

FANTASTIC! ! ! ! W0o0o0otage i got the server working, thanks to everyone!

Sadly, however, thats only problem 1 solved.

Problem 2 is getting it onto ASE. Im kinda getting the flow of things, so heres this ; the MTASERVER.CONF says ASE will use port +123, so should i open up port 2126 for a UDP/TCP connection?

[Slothman]

exactly.

[.:Vinny:.]

Aight, sadly it didnt work

It wont show up in the ASE list, and this is the only thing related to ASE which i see in the server:

SERVER: ASE registration is enabled . . . Will attempt to register .

Meh.

[Scorp]

Yeah the server always says that when ASE is on, I do see my server in special/LAN servers in the all seeing eye

[Slothman]

it isnt always instant that your listed in ase, give it some time and it may show up.

[.:Vinny:.]

Well its odd, the server doesn't register on my ASE, but others can stoll see it O_o

Anyways, that's problem 2 out of the way. Next --> Problem 3 : enabling mIRC.

How do i use the MTAMA addon? How do i get the mIRC scripts workin with the server? I have the latest version of mIRC, fully registered and everything.

Once again, thanks for all help, its greatly appreciated

[Slothman]

go download mtama, it has a well written manual that comes with it. also run a forum search, there are lots of existing mtama help threads in the forum that covers almost all problems that may arise. overall its not complicated if you just do some reading before asking for help.