How do you set up a tcp/ip game?

Saber Cherry · #1 November 16th, 2003, 01:02 AM

Maybe you need to enter your internal IP address rather than external IP address if you are behind a router, though I'm not sure. Your friend will need to enter your external IP address. Your internal address (normally 192.xxx.xxx.xxx) can be attained by running "ipconfig" from a command prompt. The external one you can get by logging into your router or visiting a website that tells you your external ip address.

Make sure the port number you entered is open (I suspect that is the problem). To do this, you need to log into your router and configure it. I was unable to play FF-XI, for example, until I found out how to go into my router and open up over 50,000 different ports... FF-XI was programmed by idiots. It also has the worst UI ever, like 1000X worse than Dominions 1. Otherwise, it's an OK game. As for how to open up ports, it was a pain in my router (SMC), and probly is a pain in all routers, but you need to look at your documentation to figure it out. Mine had none, so I downloaded it in PDF form from the manufacturer, and it was so unprofessionally done that it took me literally 3 hours to figure out the process. But hopefully yours will be simpler=) Otherwise, you could try using some port like 25 or 80 that is almost certainly open (but that may have side effects... I don't really know much about ports).

-Cherry

P.S. Don't read that as a slam on Dominions I - before Dominions II, I thought it was the best strategy game ever - but that's despite its UI, not because of its UI.

[ November 15, 2003, 23:10: Message edited by: Saber Cherry ]

blackwulf · #2 November 16th, 2003, 01:36 AM

Here, is the mystery...

I don't have a router, just a firewall. Even if I turn off the firewall I still am unable to connect to my server as a client.

My opponent has no problem connecting to my server with or without my firewall on. The problem is that I cannot seem to connect to my server as a player.

I feel that there is some basic step I am missing. This is what I do...

#1. I start a game with the shortcut configured as described in the newbie/confused player thread.

#2. I ctrl/escape back to windows and start a normal client game and try to connect to my server. It is here where I am unable to connect.

Is there something I should be doing prior to these two steps?

-Blackwulf

Saber Cherry · #3 November 16th, 2003, 01:39 AM

Ctrl-escape? Hmm. Why not try running the server in a window, and just minimizing it? Maybe ctrl-escape is messing it up.

blackwulf · #4 November 16th, 2003, 01:50 AM

No dice, I just tried your windows mode suggestion but same result. Here is how I have the server shortcut configured now..

"C:\Program Files\dominions2demo\dom2demo.exe" -x --nointro --quickhost --tcpserver --port 1024 --noclientstart --nosound --nomusic --window

I simply start the server get to the screen with all the nations listed as open and minimize the window and start a second game as a client and try to connect via the network.

[ November 15, 2003, 23:51: Message edited by: blackwulf ]

Raen · #5 November 16th, 2003, 02:04 AM

I don't think it's anything like that. It seems pretty clear it's some sort of networking problem.

Have you tried varying the port number? I used 7000, for example, with no problem. But I'm not behind a firewall.....

I would turn off the firewall, make it so that it doesn't start up on startup and do a cold boot. Hopefully that would at least isolate the problem.

Out of curiosity, which OS are you using?

Johan K · #6 November 16th, 2003, 02:10 AM

Raen has some good suggestions and I would like to second them.

If that doesn't work then try these switches, change 1024 to whatever port you are using but don't change the ipadr:
--tcpclient --ipadr 127.0.0.1 --port 1024

Saber Cherry · #7 November 16th, 2003, 02:15 AM

Have you tried letting your friend host, and you joining his server?