Multi-player

[Ride]

I'm new to RF, so G4 is my first experience with R/C sims.

I have found a few hosted sessions but when I try to join I get errors like "Can't contact Host" and a couple of others I can't recall at the moment.

I have hosted and people have joined... but I can't seem to join. Some of those have 2 or 3 players in them too.

So is this something to do with my router, or the hosts? or a combination of both?

[Ride]

Hosted a session 2 people joined, all was fine until I got an error, G4 closed. When I see the hosted session now, I try to join and get this in red... Failed to send player information packet.

Tried with and without Norton on... Guess I'll just host another!

[Ride]

So is anyone else having issues with internet sessions in G4?

[An Omnibus]

So is anyone else having issues with internet sessions in G4?

I can host but can't join other sessions. I've noticed that my wireless router becomes unresponsive after a while playing; need to physically reset it since it no longer responds to its web interface (it is still routing traffic though). It would be good if there is a spec for the protocol, that might help us to figure out what's going on.

[Edit: I was just able to join another session this morning, without changing anything in my router or windows firewall; so results seem intermittent to say the least. Perhaps it is some timing or packet loss issue rather than a filtering one.]

[Mithrandir]

I get this also.....Failed to send player information packet..... how do I fix it???

[Mithrandir]

and it seems like every time a new player comes in, or someone change planes... it freezes for about a minute... do I have a setting wrong or something???

[flip3d]

I get this also.....Failed to send player information packet..... how do I fix it???
Yeah! I know what you're saying but don't have any ideas or corrections. Anyone..................???????

[nonpareil_one]

I don't have any problems hosting. My Fields are always named "Nonpareil 3d" or "Nonpareil 3d Heli" and people usually join after a time. Joining someone elses field is another story, but I know better then to think the problem is me.

When you get an error trying to join someone's field it usually means they have a router or software firewall preventing the connection from being made. I will see people with fields up for hours on end 1 of 4 or 1 of 8 connected. It's not you, it's them. The listing server should test to see if a connection will even be possible by probing the open ports before allowing the person to publish.

I'm a huge fan of multiplayer gaming and I love flying multiplayer in G3 and now 4. What I would like to see, especially since it's advertised loudly on the G4 box "Internet-ready! • Ideal for solo practice, flying with a friend — or multiplayer competition on the web!" I would have to say compared to other systems used for online play, it's closer to 'almost' internet ready...

What would be nice is a stand alone game server software package for dedicated servers and given the relatively small userbase for G4 compared to say... Team Fortress 2, for KE/GP to step up and host some persistant servers. I know it wouldn't take much overhead.

Aside from being able to have persistant servers this way, it'll also be nice because of stability issues. When I'm hosting, and flying, and I get the 'unexpected error' one of two things happen. Usually I have to restart, and relist my field and wait for it to repopulate, those in it still flying but with no published host. The other that happens though not as frequently is that EVERYONE got the unexpected error at the exact same time and is dumped. This is of course easy to find out because they all rejoin and say 'sim crashed'.

I know the engine supports it now, so bring it on KE, give us the stand alone server and make this package truly internet ready!

NPO

[flip3d]

Thanks for the info. :)

[tsteege]

I also get the "Failed to send player information packet". But on the same machine I have G3.5 running and the Multiplayer works fine, has to be G4.

Terry

[nemo_uk]

I also get the "Failed to send player information packet". But on the same machine I have G3.5 running and the Multiplayer works fine, has to be G4.

Is G4 being blocked by your firewall ?

[tsteege]

No that was the first thing I checked. Both my Cisco Pix router and the Windows Firewall are open. Now I assumed that G3.5 and G4 use the same ports. I will continue to research this some more.

Terry

[nonpareil_one]

That comparison doesn't make any sense... When you try to connect to multiplayer in G3 and try to connect to multiplayer in G4 you're connecting to different people. It's not you, it's the remote side.

I'm connected directly to my cable modem, no software or hardware firewall and my gaming machine has the public routable IP on it and I get the same errors. When I host, people get in. There are 3 fields up as I type this that are 1 of 8, 1 of 6, and 1 of 8 respectively in the list because no one can join any of them.

[flip3d]

That comparison doesn't make any sense... When you try to connect to multiplayer in G3 and try to connect to multiplayer in G4 you're connecting to different people. It's not you, it's the remote side.

I'm connected directly to my cable modem, no software or hardware firewall and my gaming machine has the public routable IP on it and I get the same errors. When I host, people get in. There are 3 fields up as I type this that are 1 of 8, 1 of 6, and 1 of 8 respectively in the list because no one can join any of them.
I would agree. I have G3.5 and G4 and get the same error messages for both.

[jeffpn]

npo,
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that your cable modem has a firewall built into it. Most dsl/cable modems do. Have you ever logged into it to see what your settings are?

[flip3d]

npo,
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that your cable modem has a firewall built into it. Most dsl/cable modems do. Have you ever logged into it to see what your settings are?
No, I have not. Intruction please. Lynksis four port router and Motorola "Surfboard" cable modem as supplied by my ISP.

[phrank]

Motorola "Surfboard" cable modem as supplied by my ISP.

for my Surfboard modem it's typically:
http://192.168.100.1

I haven't seen any administrative options there though.

I can't host either, although I can join online sessions in both G3.5 and G4.

[jeffpn]

To find out the ip address of your equipment, try going to the dos prompt (Start/All Programs/Accessories/Command prompt). Type 'ipconfig' at the command prompt. Type in the address listed for default gateway into the address bar of Internet Explorer. And alot of times you have to log into the modem. Username and password is typically 'admin'. If that login doesn't work, contact your ISP.

[Adam Taylor]

I think jeffpn may have left out a crucial step -- running ipconfig.

Once you have the command prompt window open (which you can also run by going to Start -> Run, and typing in "command" and pressing enter), you'll need to type "ipconfig" which should bring up your computer's network information, including the default gateway jeffpn mentioned. In the majority of cases with home networking hardware, the number you're looking for will be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (or something very similar)

[jeffpn]

Thanks, Adam. I wonder how long he spent scratching his head??? :confused:

[Striker]

I installed a friends G4 to try it out and was not able to host or join a multisession.

I bought G4 from Great Hobbies which arrived today, and instantly I was able to join and host multisessions, I was flying with 5 guys or so no problems.

Funny that my buddies did not work and mine did. The only difference was I registered my copy and did a download update.

[jeffpn]

Nah, you have more differences than that. Being able to use the MP feature has everything to do with portforwarding and firewalls.

[Striker]

I did not have to touch my router (Linksys WRT54G) nor my MS Firewall settings, straight plug and play just as I said, thats for joining MS

Just tried again and it worked, MS firewall activated, no port forwarding.

UPDATE!!!!!! Can also host with absolutely no software configurations.

[nonpareil_one]

npo,
I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that your cable modem has a firewall built into it. Most dsl/cable modems do. Have you ever logged into it to see what your settings are?

I know for a fact that it doesn't. My cable modem is a Motorola SB5100 with custom TCNiSO firmware on it, I know and can control every parameter of the config, and it's also just a standard docsis 2.1 cable modem which operates like a network bridge, it's completely passive to the layer 3 traffic. This is why the public routable IP address is on my PC.

[nonpareil_one]

Surf Board modems typically passive modems though I think there is a VoIP capable one out on the market that has a router functionality.

Router's use Network Address Translation to communicate multiple private addresses through one public address. The 192.168.*.* addresses are private space that doesn't route on the internet. Any traffic inbound to you has to have been requested by you and have a reference built in the Network Address Translation (NAT) table in order to come through. Other then firewalls, inbound traffic being halted at the NAT table is the primary reason stuff doesn't work, like hosting games.

The reason why the Linksys WRT54G works without any custom setting is because it has uPnP enabled by default. This is a setting that is also supported by the G3/4 which causes the router to automatically set up port triggering for the inbound connections to your public address for the sim. It also allows the sim to notify the listing server of your public IP which it's provided via the uPnP from the router.

And, if you're running any post Win2k operating system you should be using 'cmd' instead of 'command' to bring up a command prompt. That's a true 32bit shell you get under cmd. :)

And ipconfig /all if you have multiple adapters in your system.

[Striker]

The reason why the Linksys WRT54G works without any custom setting is because it has uPnP enabled by default. This is a setting that is also supported by the G3/4 which causes the router to automatically set up port triggering for the inbound connections to your public address for the sim. It also allows the sim to notify the listing server of your public IP which it's provided via the uPnP from the router.


Thanks for the explanation, what you mentioned about the Linksys WRT54G is 100% true, I can host and join multi player events without touching any software settings. I am happy that i have the Linksys WRT54G :)

Nice to know we have some gurus like you aboard, thanks for your input again :D

[jeffpn]

I can multiplayer at home with my laptop no problem (WRT54G). But if I take my laptop to my apartment, where I have a 2wire 100SW, it won't work, even though I've opened the ports required. Never have figured that one out! :eek:

[scolex]

if your getting a 192 that is a router or your not online, and might need to config, try and by pass the router. I have a router and can join but never had anyone join mine yet.

[priji]

Multiplayer is a mode of play for computer games and video games where two or more gamers can play in the same game at the same time, co-operatively as a clan (or team) or head-to-head competitively (often referred to as deathmatch) . Multiplayer mode may be a split screen where the gamers play at the same time on one system, or where gamers play on separate systems connected to a LAN or Internet game server.

[Ride]

Multiplayer is a mode of play for computer games and video games where two or more gamers can play in the same game at the same time, co-operatively as a clan (or team) or head-to-head competitively (often referred to as deathmatch) . Multiplayer mode may be a split screen where the gamers play at the same time on one system, or where gamers play on separate systems connected to a LAN or Internet game server.

Not sure why I find this so amusing... was someone confused about what multiplayer is? Sounds like this is taken right out of an instruction manual.

I still have the same problems... but I can host and people join.

[jeffpn]

Not sure why I find this so amusing... was someone confused about what multiplayer is? Sounds like this is taken right out of an instruction manual.

I still have the same problems... but I can host and people join.
That one left me scratching my head, too.

[josh0987]

If you want more information on your IP configuration type ipconfig /all

[An Omnibus]

Seems to me we're still missing basic information about the protocol used. This behavior of being able to host but not to join seems common, and it isn't always that the other person hosting has a problem because they aren't always 1 in n users active (sometimes they have others that have successfully joined). This is kinda hard to diagnose without more detail on the nature of the protocol. My router logs show nothing being discarded, not even when I go to the most verbose log levels.

[Waldopepperaxel]

Okay I upgraded to 4.5 my friend and I couldn't use multiplayer on that or he didn't give it much of chance. so he uninstalled 4.5 and re loaded 4.

In the mean time I had upgraded to 4.5 had my ISP send me a new router cause they couln't figure out how to forward the ports I gave them. and then we opened the correct ports on the new router.

Now I have downgraded back to 4.0 to be able to multi with my friend again. And have the information packet failed to send problem I originally had in the very begining of g4 do I need to re do the ports back to the old ones again.

I find this Multiplayer option one huge pain in the butt. I've never had such problems with any other multi player flight sims or any other games ever. I Love real flight, just wish they could get this multiplayer thing easier to handle. I can't even begin to tell you how many wasted hours of my life has been spent trying to get the multiplayer to work right.

We wanted to ugrade but now has cost us over 4 weeks of either of us not being able to use Multiplayer. we can join other people sometimes but not each other. and before we upgraded from 4 to 4.5 we were both running fine for over a year now. but now were back to the same problems we had when we first both hoioked up G4, that was the worst month and more of tech support help, and ISP tech support of all of our lives, nobody could get it to work. we finally did get it to work and has worked fine since then. But 1 upgrade and here we go again. I've read through many of these help forums about this and it appears they should really address this issue.

[js3862]

Can you make any multi-player connections or are you only having problems connecting to your friends session? You may be dealing with an overzealous firewall administrator at your ISP, your friends ISP or somewhere in between. Have you checked to verify your ports are open? If not go to portforward.com and get their tool and use it to check. Make sure you are forwarding UDP and not TCP ports.

If you haven't already done so, post some further technical information about your problem including your router information, and any screenshots that you can get to show your ip configuration. If you look through the thread there are instructions listed multiple times on how to get this information.

[js3862]

I can multiplayer at home with my laptop no problem (WRT54G). But if I take my laptop to my apartment, where I have a 2wire 100SW, it won't work, even though I've opened the ports required. Never have figured that one out! :eek:

:D How many places do you live? A home and an apartment?

Post a screenshot of your 2wire config, I'm sure we can help you out. Sometimes it takes a second or third pair of eyes.

[jeffpn]

I've learned alot about forwarding ports in the last 23 months since I posted that, js3862. I bought a new house last year. I no longer live in 2 places; an apartment during the week, and home on the weekends. In fact, there's a really great sticky in the G5 forum that has screenshots of the same type of 2wire equipment I currently use!

[js3862]

I've learned alot about forwarding ports in the last 23 months since I posted that, js3862. I bought a new house last year. I no longer live in 2 places; an apartment during the week, and home on the weekends. In fact, there's a really great sticky in the G5 forum that has screenshots of the same type of 2wire equipment I currently use!

Wow, I replied to the last post not realizing he had tagged onto an old thread and I wasn't looking at the dates past that post. Well, I'm glad you figured it out then. :D

[jeffpn]

To be honest with you, reading your post I wasn't convinced that you knew it was me who you were responding to. I never did have luck with (and no longer use) that 2Wire, but the 2Wire I use now with Uverse service works like a charm!

[js3862]

Yeah, I knew it was you. It, in the context of my thinking mistakenly that it was a recent post, was meant to be a little sarcastic humor giving you grief about not being able to figure out your router. :p

[jeffpn]

Or, it could be that! In your defense, it's probably not obvious (like it wasn't to opjose in another thread :D ) that my current equipment (displayed in that awesome G5 sticky) is also 2Wire.

[js3862]

Or, it could be that! In your defense, it's probably not obvious (like it wasn't to opjose in another thread :D ) that my current equipment (displayed in that awesome G5 sticky) is also 2Wire.

You're really pushing that sticky aren't you? Do you get get click-through commission on that thread or something? :rolleyes:

[opjose]

You're really pushing that sticky aren't you? Do you get get click-through commission on that thread or something? :rolleyes:

You didn't know?

He gets a $.05 a click kickback from KE.

:D :D :D

Between that and the "search first" posts, Jeff's been making REAL money! :D :D :D

[js3862]

Finally, now his incessant referrals to the search function make sense!!! :D Now I understand how is able to afford that house in such tough economic times! :D :D

[jeffpn]

Don't forget the nickels I get when someone asks how to import an aircraft! For some reason, it's not a daily occurence anymore!! :confused: :confused: :D

[Dr.Moo!]

Don't forget the nickels I get when someone asks how to import an aircraft! For some reason, it's not a daily occurence anymore!! :confused: :confused: :D

How do ya do that again???


(there earned you $.05 :D )

[jeffpn]

Thanks for the nickel, but I'm keeping the referral fee! :p :eek:

[Dr.Moo!]

Well that's not fair >.<

[Waldopepperaxel]

Okay I was able to connect to my friend last night but only by plugging in his IP address, I couldn't just join his hosted site by clicking on it. in 4.5 there isn't even an option that we found to be able to plug in the direct IP address which is why we went back to 4.0

I can connect to others sometimes and so can he, we just can't connect to each others sites by clicking join and the site we want to go to.

We went through all this in the begining and were getting back to where we were after all of the initial pain, but still very slowly.

I have DSL and just had them send me a new router as they couldn't figure out how to forward the ports on their old one. so I did forward the ports with the new router but that was for 4.5 I don't imagine it would effect us by going back to 4.0

I am forwarding UDP and not TCP

My friend has dial up which has its own share of problems but he still seems to have an easier time of all this then I and he knows nothing about computers. I have somewhat of a clue as I run computer programs for my job. but I'm no wizzard either.

I'll be trying a few more things tonight and I will list the other information if I can't get it going as I'm not at home to get it right now.

Thanks for the help and I'll look into the portforward.com tool also

[jeffpn]

WPA, post pictures of your router port forwarding page when you can, and your ipconfig dump. Also, make sure you and your friend are runnin the same release of 4.5.