I used to race head to head regularly a year ago with a friend.
On trying today to set up a new game title and password, the first person to go there is OK but the one trying to join reads "connxn failed". We can both join up with the main multiplayer tracks without problems but in trying to get into our own private "track" we keep reading "connxn failed " over ten times now.
Has the ability to set up a private track now been limited in recent months or could we be doing something different. Would be grateful for any help please.

It has definitely not been limited so it has to be something else. If you are port forwarding on a router remember that LFS needs UDP to.

Good Luck

have u gotten a new router lately? because i have the same problem with web pages, ever since i got this new router and reformatted, i cant use TCP ports.

Quote from Dyllaann :

i cant use TCP ports.

Errr...I don't want to be a dick, but if that were the case then you wouldn't beable to get on the forum, so I think you might've meant something else..?

For hosting ports needs to be forwarted correctly in your routers webinterface. You should also check your firewall settings. To bad I don't know which ports LFS usses.

Quote from SinneD :

For hosting ports needs to be forwarted correctly in your routers webinterface. You should also check your firewall settings. To bad I don't know which ports LFS usses.

Isn't it 63392 by default? Should be in your cfg.txt file anyway I think...

Quote from the_angry_angel :

Errr...I don't want to be a dick, but if that were the case then you wouldn't beable to get on the forum, so I think you might've meant something else..?

Maybe he is browsing the forums from some other computer and you definetly are not a dick

OT: This reminds me of Andy Dick's school days, when he was a candidate for some school elections and his slogan against his opponent was: "Don't vote for an ****, vote for A. Dick"

Quote from breadfan :

Maybe he is browsing the forums from some other computer

Touché

Have I got this right?
Although I can go onto the multiplayer tracks and join in a common track without difficulties, I hit problems if I try to set up a "private" track to race with a friend when I use a router instead of an ordinary modem?
Can someone precisely spell out for me what info my link to LFS requires for me to overcome this problem. Thanks.

This post, entitled "Guide: Running a LFS Server" in this very section, which is stickied, has everything explained on how.

The why is fairly "simple".

When you make a server the client needs to make a direct connection with the address of the computer running the server (something needs to connect to something else first, in a direct connection. It is traditionally the server that listens for this connection, not a client. This is usually because (sys|network|whatever)admins know what they're doing and should be doing it securely).

However, because there aren't enough IPv4 addresses in the world, and for "security purposes", something called "NAT" was "invented". This defines a set of IP addresses that can be used in a private network, so that it doesn't cock up the routing on public IPs (routing defines how to get from one IP to another). In a typical home, a LAN IP is known as a NAT'ed IP, or a private IP, which is usually not routeable from another computer outside of your private network (I say usually, but special things can be done to get around this. I wouldn't suggest doing it though unless you have a specific purpose).

So, what happens is your router translates the packets and puts your public ip in their header. So when a packet comes at your router, and its destined for another PC inside the network it looks at it's rules and governs where they go. If a PC on the inside made a connection out, it'll make a note of this for any returning data. If it's a new connection coming in, the router doesn't know where to send the data without some rules. This is why you need to port forward.

Edit: A true network geek will take issue with some of the terms and methods of explaination I've used here, to those that do I apologise. However, it's about as close as I'd dare go without getting toooo complicated

:jawdrop:

Hence the "simple" in quotes and italics

Quote from the_angry_angel :

Hence the "simple" in quotes and italics

LOL! Nah, i got it, I was wondering how you manage to remember small things like that! I'll have forgotten by tomorrow lol

You are talking to a true geek. Show some respect. It's people like him that keep the stupid happy with their massively complicated pieces of electronics.

LMAO @ Bob...

Quote from Bob Smith :

You are talking to a true geek. Show some respect. It's people like him that keep the stupid happy with their massively complicated pieces of electronics.

You give me way too much credit

Dear Angry Angel, I applaud your obvious knowledge on this subject. I,as the person who has,in the past, raced with the Peejayh before he got his router. Can you tell us what ,if anything ,can be done to enable us to race again? Or does he have to take the router off his system? Thanks if you can help, and double thanks if you are able to explain it simply.

The explanation of how to do this is in the thread I linked to in my post of why you need to do this (http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=9572).

There's a section entitled "Port Forwarding / Home Routers" which can point you at various resources explaining what to do. Unfortunately because theres a large number of home routers out there, it's just not reasonable to try and explain it here I hope that makes sense?

@ Daveebee - If you post the make and model of your router, someone with that router may have had similar experiences and could advise you.

I had to forward ports on my router when I got it first...

Dear Angry Angel
You flatter me by calling the description "simple"!
I'm thinking that I should find some way to revert to normal modem working. I haven't gained enough by utilising the router between my laptop and my destop and reckon the modem would be more use.
I do thank you for attempting to describe whats involved in this link up.
even more reason to admire the expertise and know how of the guys who dream up LFS for us all!!!

If you've got multiple computers, I'd really suggest keeping with the router, as it's just easier Check out portforward.com for your router, and it should help out

DDear Angry Angel et al who have helped

I have reverted to the modem and the problem is now history. I was trying to get my wife to join in the computer revolution but she admits that she's not that keen. She is still using a quill pen....
Now with modem working happily we're back, snapping at each others heels.
(Another gadget on my shelf gathering dust......) the router I mean...