G5 multiplayer issue

[jscozz]

I have been running G4.5 for a few months and multiplayer works fine... just upgraded to G5 and I get the following message after about 5 seconds when I select Join... and the dialog comes up.

"Directory server connection failed"

Support told me (and I see from on here) the ports are the same for G5 (actually narrower range), that it was saying that the listing server may be busy... not sure I believe that... there has to be minimal load on the listing server... and I have gotten this message all afternoon.

Any ideas?

[bobo8129]

sorry

[phrank]

Seems to be working fine,
My son is currently in Multiplayer trying to shoot some guy named Sparky.

Poor kid can't shoot to save his life. :p

[Chris McVey]

The server was down for awhile but is back up now.


Chris McVey

[jscozz]

I am still getting the same error... :(

ANyone know if there is any way to enable logging or debugging so I can see exactly what G5 thinks is failing?

[js3862]

G4.5 server is up, G5 server is down from my perspective.

[js3862]

Could you guys PLEASE give us back the option to host a session outside of the session server? When these interruptions occur, granted they aren't frequent, it would be a serious plus to say, "Hey connect to IP x.x.x.x and let's have a MP session!" The problem is that there's no place to type in an IP to connect to as there had been in previous versions. Can we have that back?


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ??????? :D

[jeffpn]

I am still getting the same error... :(

ANyone know if there is any way to enable logging or debugging so I can see exactly what G5 thinks is failing?
The server software was not runnig. I'm not sure what you think logging or debugging would do for you. Not much us users can do about that.

[jscozz]

Yeah, if the server is not running you are correct... but I was just not convinced that was the issue since it was all day yesterday (while people on here said they were playing)... and this morning still.

And the error message about "Directory server"... is that the RealFlight server? DNS server? And is it port related? Inbound? Outbound? UDP is connectionless... so is my UDP getting to the server but return UDP not, or vice versa?

Debugging would go a long way to helping figure out what is and is not happening...

[jeffpn]

Debugging would go a long way to helping figure out what is and is not happening...But not as much as calling tech support.

[jscozz]

But not as much as calling tech support.

I already did that... they said the server was down. Unless it has been down for 2 days solid, something else is going on... and I have very little to go on to troubleshoot it.

[jeffpn]

I'll have to check my user license. I didn't know customers were responsible to troubleshoot.

[jscozz]

I never rule out the possibility that it is something on my end... :)

[Chris McVey]

Do a IP config and make sure your IP has not changed, check this against your IP you have put in you router for forwarding ports.


Chris McVey

[jeffpn]

Jscozz,
what version of G4.5 were you successfully running? If it's 4.5.050 (or a version that includes portchecking, I forget which version implemented that), then the same configuration is good for G5. If you are running an earlier version of G4.5, then the problem may indeed be on your end.

[Chris McVey]

Jeff is correct.



Chris McVey

[jscozz]

It was the latest 4.5... I just upgraded to it a month prior.

IP has not changed... and all port forwarding is still in effect... local PC firewall tried off and on with proper exceptions.

[jeffpn]

I'd like to know the actual release number you're running for G4.5. But without that info, and given the fact that you are running the latest version (I've seen before where people swore up and down they were but they weren't, it's like pulling teeth to get a real answer), then the problem would not lie in your configuration. However, I don't know what the root of your issue is.

[jscozz]

I just verified that it is 4.5.050.

Thanks for your input... I'll go back to support and see if they have any other suggestions.

[jeffpn]

I just checked, and I see sessions listed for both G4.50.050 and G5.00.023. Do you have both versions installed on the same computer?

[jscozz]

Yes. I went back and tried 4.5 since I installed 5 and the 4.5 does not work now either.

I disabled the port forwarding to see if I could get some firewall logs... I got two things with the port forwarding disabled:
1) G5 now goes from "Connecting to list server" (where it stopped before) to "Verifying connectivity", then to the long port error message.
2) Router showed incoming UDP blocked from 208.101.25.37:45550 to port 61235 on my system.

Then, with the port forwarding enabled again, I do not get the firewall error (meaning the incoming UDP packet is getting through) and the G5 app goes right from the "Connecting to List Server" message to the "Directory server connection failed" message.

So, I know my UDP request is getting out, and the server's UDP response is getting through the firewall... but somehow the app is not getting it...

I wonder if a recent windows patch has anything to do with it... Vista 64 bit.

[jeffpn]

Well, we can start at the beginning for you. Can you post a screenie of an ipconfig command, and of your router's portforwarding page? Also what make and model modem do you have, and make and model router? Are you running any internet security software seperately or as part of your virus software? Any firewalls other than Windows?

[jscozz]

I flashed my router with the latest version and all seems to be working well now. No change in settings at all. When did the .050 version come out? Did anything change with .050 and G5 in the way that the multiplayer sessions are initiated? Just seems very strange that it worked in August/Sept and not in Nov, and the route config/firmware did not change at all.

In any case, I appreciate all the input from everyone on here.

[Chris McVey]

Glad to hear you got it worked out.


Chris McVey

[opjose]

I've seen many NAT/WiFi/Routers exhibit the same behaviour.

Namely, they will work fine for many months, then somewhat suddenly stop port forwarding, supplying full bandwidth, etc, etc. etc.

Re-flashing the OS on the router seems to correct the problem but this appears to be a co-incidental effect!

Rather the user input configuration seems to somehow screw itself up over time.

Often resetting the router to factory defaults, and re-establishing the settings again has exactly the same effect as reflashing the router ( which also blows away the config info ).

There seems to be no consistency with this, other than it happens with a LOT of WiFi/routers from different vendors.

I've seen it on devices from:

Linksys
Cisco
Dlink
Microsoft
etc, etc.

[Stevie D]

I have been trying all morning to get on MP.I get connecting to host then,initializing,then lost connection.I can host a MP session,but cannot join one.I'm not a computer wiz so guess i just have to wait and see.

[Chris McVey]

Steve have you called Tech support? If not please try them first. Contact them here http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22007


Thanks Chris McVey

[js3862]

I thought we were supposed to mention it here so that you guys could handle it.

When you call tech support concerning the mutli-player server(s) they either refer you to the forums or tell you "we'll get in touch with the KnifeEdge guys and see what's going on since they run the servers, try again in an hour or two". After multiple calls about MP problems with the same answer I stopped calling them. It seems that their support script runs out at the words Multi-player with what must be a big red arrow that points to, "Refer caller to KnifeEdge Forums".

So, our choices seem to be, report it here or call them and then report it here.

Also, if the server goes down after GP support hours the forums are the only resource we have for letting anyone know about the problem. It wouldn't be so bad except that we have NO other options when this happens. We don't have an after hours number to call, no "server is down" e-mail address to send a help messages to, and we don't even have the ability to connect to other users without the list server.

[jbourke]

When you call tech support concerning the mutli-player server(s) they either refer you to the forums or tell you "we'll get in touch with the KnifeEdge guys and see what's going on since they run the servers, try again in an hour or two".


It sounds like you and Steve are talking about totally separate things.

If you are having a problem with the directory server or the activation server then that is in our area and we'll take care of it without any prodding. Tech support is right to say they have no control over that. I will call them and make sure we're all on the same page with this.

However, if you are having trouble connecting to a host, or getting past the port test, then tech support is the right place to go.

Jim