Home Server noob questions

[AtlasStone]

I am trying to host an internet server at home for me and some friends. The server is running from another machine on my network and I have the ports open.

How do I find my server on the net?

Is there a way to search by IP Address?

Thanks,

[Ghost-Ryder]

Is it set up as a Deticated server or a Lan server?

[AtlasStone]

Dedicated, although I can see it under "Local" in the Join menu of COD2.
I listed "dedicated 2" in my command line.

[topmug]

You need to set the ip in the command line otherwise cod thinks your using your local ip 192.168.0.??? or similiar.

To find out your ip go here http://www.whatismyip.com/

then on your cod shortcut put this in the start up line

+set net_ip 83.133.23.34 +set net_port 28960

these are just some random numbers so jsut use yours.

Top

[OldDog]

You really don't need the "set net_ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx". It's only for multiple game instances on the same server. Read this post: http://www.fpsadmin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10074. My server doesn't show up in the in-game browser, either. Have you tried ASE or GameSpy? Mine shows up in both after only a few minutes being up, and I have no such commands in my config, or command line.

Can people connect to you by adding "+connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" (without the quotes, of course) to their command line?

Have someone try that, and if it works, then your server is accessible. If not, then you have a router or firewall problem.

See this: http://www.olddogvt.net/cod-firewall

It was written primarily for CoD and CoD:UO, but the principles are the same for pretty much any game.

[AtlasStone]

I've never used ASE or GameSpy, what are they for and do you have a link??

My only experience is setting up my CSS server but you can search IP's from the in game menu with that so it really helped me to trouble shoot it.

I read over the forum link that you had prior to posting but I'll look it over again to see if I missed something.

Thanks for the resources, I will definatley have someone try the +connect command but if you could post links to the other places you mentioned, I would appreiciate it.

From what I gather, the best way for my friends and I to get together would be to add the +connect command then have them add it to their favorites?

[xGrunt]

All Seeing Eye (ASE) and GameSpy are game browsers with a lot more features than the ingame browsers.

Just 'google' each one and you'll get plenty of links.

[OldDog]

From what I gather, the best way for my friends and I to get together would be to add the +connect command then have them add it to their favorites?

Yes, that would be the easiest for them, I think. And, thx, xGrunt, for the answer about ASE and GameSpy...

[HarryBall]

If you are behind a router you could make your server machine the DMZ look in your applications and gaming settings. It should show up. It worked for me.

Hball

[rudedog]

If you are behind a router you could make your server machine the DMZ look in your applications and gaming settings. It should show up. It worked for me.

Hball

Just remember that a PC/Box/Server in the DMZ is exposed to the Internet where the router protects a box from prying eyes, for the most part.

All incoming ports are open to the public when placed in the DMZ.

[OldDog]

Ha! Good for you, RD! That's exactly why most of us with home servers don't use a DMZ, or, place your server outside your firewall/router.

[HarryBall]

Security gentlemen, its an easy fix to use the dmz.

[rudedog]

Security gentlemen, its an easy fix to use the dmz.

correct, but if they can't get their ports forwarded or work with their router then most likely they will not lock the box down.

DMZ is a great way to troubleshoot your server and connection, if the server is running in the DMZ then you can now move on to the router to find out why it's not showing up.

[OldDog]

I agree...I've seen too many people use an open DMZ, or worse, placing a server outside the firewall altogether, then leave it, as an expedient. Working the problem is the way to go. Besides, he has to do the security somewhere, regardless of where the server sits.

[HarryBall]

Ill give you the testing features of the DMZ however in cod activision doesnt support running a server behind a router. Even if the ports are forwarded and he knows what he is doing chances are he still will not see his server. Thats why i suggested the DMZ. He seemed intelligent enough to lock the machine down with software security, but again that is just my opinion.

P.S. I love these kind of convos. Keeps me on my toes

[OldDog]

Well, I have to take exception to that. Both of my servers are behind firewalls, with the CORRECT ports forwarded (or nat'd), and my servers are, and always have been, visible everywhere.

[HarryBall]

Even to your own LAN?

[OldDog]

You bet...I'm paranoid as hell...been in this business (computers and security) too long not to be...have seen too many cracks of too many systems. I actually have 3 firewalls: one on the hardware firewall/router itself, and two on each of the machines on my home LAN, including the game server. One is a software firewall (really, intrusion detection) called BlackIce Defender, and I've been using the Microsoft firewall for XP and Windows Server 2003. I also have both of these enabled on my laptop, active even when I'm on my workplace LAN (like now). Is it painful and tedious to set up the appropriate ports on all this s$%t? Yes. Have I ever been cracked? No. Could I still be cracked even with all this s$%t? Yes, anyone can be cracked if someone was determined enough. But, I make it as difficult as I can.

[HarryBall]

I also have seen more than i think i should have, and am paranoid about getting hit. You are so right if they want in they will get in no matter what you do. (well there are some tricks. LOL) I also sit behind both hardware and software firewalls. Like you said, can be a bit of a bugger at times. I just try to remember that not everyone is a network admin or hardware guru, and try to give the most simplistic solutions possible.

You are correct pertaining to the port forwarding etc. It is the safe way to be.

Hball

[apex944]

Hey I like this thread.. been wondering about some things myself.

I have COD2 dedicated on my internal LAN at home. Works fine, all my buds can play. I can play too from my game PC that sits in the router's DMZ.

But what I can not do is play on other servers online anymore. I have port farwarding turned on for 28960 UDP so that all incoming requests via that port go to my internal game server.

How does the COD client request for the master game lists from IW, Activision, etc ?? Does it do a broadcast over 28960 ??

If so I guess I see my problem. But I don't know how to fix it without breaking my internal server.

Also, does anyone know what TCP ports COD2 REALLY needs ?

[apex944]

No more advice on this? :confused:

[OldDog]

Hey I like this thread.. been wondering about some things myself.

I have COD2 dedicated on my internal LAN at home. Works fine, all my buds can play. I can play too from my game PC that sits in the router's DMZ.

Why is your game PC on a DMZ??

But what I can not do is play on other servers online anymore. I have port farwarding turned on for 28960 UDP so that all incoming requests via that port go to my internal game server.

You changed nothing else on your firewall?


How does the COD client request for the master game lists from IW, Activision, etc ?? Does it do a broadcast over 28960 ??

It doesn't exactly broadcast...the client makes a request of the CoD2 Master Servers for information. Not sure whether it uses 28960 to do this, or not. Probably does.

If so I guess I see my problem. But I don't know how to fix it without breaking my internal server.

Port forwarding for your game server should be INBOUND only. You should open up ALL (or ANY) for outbound 28960, including your DMZ.

Also, does anyone know what TCP ports COD2 REALLY needs ?

A CoD2 server needs only 28960 open INBOUND to your internal IP address.

Here's the way it works:

Client makes a request to connect, by double-clicking in the IGB, of a server on port 28960, so you need to have that open OUTBOUND
Server receives requests to connect via 28960 INBOUND So, you should allow OUTBOUND 28960 to everything that will uses it: your server, and your PC on the DMZ. You also need to have 28960 open INBOUND to your server. (actually, I'm not sure on the OUTBOUND 28960 for your server...I have a feeling it doesn't need it)