Now I understand that we are all geeks but those routers can be tricky. Here is a great little website that helps you out with all those router settings:
Router Configuration for Online Multiplayer Games
June 30, 2003
This guide is an update to Gamegeek’s unofficial guide to hosting and joining multiplayer games of Rise of Nations from behind a router. I’ve updated this guide with information about UPnP, more and updated screenshots, and also updated port forwarding information. In this guide I have provided screenshots for five popular routers, but in no way is this guide intended to promote any specific router brand or model. If you need clarification as to how to access the configuration menus and settings of your router, I suggest you consult your router’s manual or its vendor’s website. The routers tested in this guide are:
· Linksys BEFVP41
· Netgear RP614
· D-Link DI-604 (Revision E)
· Microsoft MN-100
· Belkin F5D5231-4
All five of these routers have been tested and they work fine under each of the techniques described below when hosting or joining multiplayer games of Rise of Nations.
There are three good router settings that you can modify to help you play multiplayer games: UPnP, port forwarding, and DMZ. You ought to try these technologies in that particular order because they lead from being very secure and efficient, to fully opening up your computer to the Internet.
UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
UPnP is a fairly new technology that helps to solve the peer-to-peer connectivity problems of being behind a router and sharing an IP address (for more information about how UPnP works, see this FAQ). I’ve found that many of the popular routers support UPnP, but not right out of the box. Updating the firmware of your router usually solves this issue, so try reading the release notes of your router’s latest firmware update to see if your router supports UPnP. Turning UPnP on is often simply matter of finding the UPnP menu and clicking the check box next to “Enable UPnP”.
Bear in mind that UPnP is a recent technology and not all routers support it. The Linksys BEFVP41 router for example does not support UPnP but its close relative, the Linksys BEFSR41 does. Check the feature list of your router for more information.
· Netgear RP614 UPnP menu
Port Forwarding
If your particular router does not support UPnP, your next best option would be to manually forward the ports that Gamespy and Rise of Nations use when setting up multiplayer games. Here is a list of the necessary ports and their respective protocols:
TCP 80UDP 1077UDP 6500TCP 6667UDP 13139UDP 27900UDP 28910TCP 29900UDP 29910TCP 29920UDP 34987 *UDP 18890 *
* Rise of Nations uses these two entries for LAN/Direct IP play. Strictly speaking you can get by without these but you will NOT have the ability to join a game via direct IP. I'm pointing this out because (a) some people have noticed a lack of ability to direct IP join games. This may be their issue and (b) some folks have routers with limited numbers of forwarding entries. You could get by without these if you had to.
Additionally, some people may be able to get by without forwarding every port on that list, but if you are unsure as to the meaning of all of these ports, I suggest you forward them all.
In order to forward these ports, you first must figure out the private IP address that your computer is using. A simple way to do this is to go to any command prompt and type in “ipconfig”. Then you need to go to your router’s configuration menu and find the section dealing with port forwarding. Here are screenshots of the port forwarding menus of five different routers:
· Linksys BEFVP41
· Netgear RP614
· D-Link DI-604 (Revision E)
· Microsoft MN-100
· Belkin F5D5231-4
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, but also an insecure one, you can enable DMZ mode on your router. DMZ mode causes all Internet traffic to be forwarded to a specific computer behind the router, thus "exposing" it to the Internet. When you activate DMZ mode you basically open "all ports". This tends to solve most forwarding problems at the expense of some network security for the exposed computer.
DMZ is a fast and easy way to get around forwarding issues but I wouldn't recommend leaving an unprotected PC connected to the naked Internet for a long time unless you want to end up running a warez site or worse. If you are going to leave a computer on a DMZ you ought to be running some sort of PC-based protection software. I hesitate to start listing them as there are so many and somebody will accuse me of playing favorites if I leave anybody out. Please just don't move over to DMZ in order to play RON and then just leave it there. Either protect it or bring it back inside your router. The Internet can be a scary place.
· Linksys BEFVP41
· Netgear RP614
· D-Link DI-604 (Revision E)
· Microsoft MN-100
· Belkin F5D5231-4
Does it work?
Still having problems? Try not leaping into games or hosting games rapidly after exiting a previous game. I have had some hangs launching games when I quickly move from game to game with either a host or a client system. This is an issue that is being looked into by the BHG dev team and will be addressed. In the meantime, and especially while you are trying to get your router set up right, give a brief pause between games. Obviously the very best results will be had by fully existing RON, but that is admittedly a big pain. I've noticed that just waiting 60 seconds or so between games (which probably happens naturally when you are looking for games in the wild - but probably less often when you are testing) seems to help a lot.
If these tips don't help please send email to forumsupport@bighugegames.com with your router make (Linksys, Netgear, etc), model number (very important! please don't just say "a linksys router"), and how you have it configured (DMZ info, port forwarding info, etc). The more data you send us, the more we'll understand about the issue. Screen shots of your router config setup are always a big huge help.
Hope this helps folks play over their router!
Also - huge props to Thunder for helping with the test passes
Paul "Gamegeek" Stephanouk
Updated: Joshua Mitnick 6/30/03
http://ron.heavengames.com/faq/router/
Monday, June 05, 2006
Monday, November 07, 2005
Match Report - A milestone set 8/11/2005
A Rise of nations milestone has just been established and the French nation should be disappointed with themselves.
3 games were played last night
Game 1 – Iroquois forever!
Location:
Sahara – Little resources but the little bits all add up to something!
Teams:
Schebesta - Iroquois
Pryor - Aztecs
Vs.
Wong - Dutch
Keller - Romans
This game started with an ill fated twang of quietness. An initial rush by Pryor by his Aztec warriors ripped into an unawares Dutch civilization of Mr Wong. This initial flombarge caused havoc for the Dutch empires who’s later game bonuses render them slightly vulnerable in the early game. This initial rush was eventually diffused with drastic time pressures being put on both civilizations in terms of moving up the ages. The lack of resources in this game made tough pickings for any civilization. A slow build up of armies formed into a gunpowder keg war between Keller and Schebesta out the front of their bases. Keller felt the wrath of the mighty Iroquois with devastating consequences as arquebuster cut through shield. A defensive double was started by Wong although all was too late with gunpowder turning into enlightenment and aquebuster turning into musket! Keller resigned and the game was ended.
Special note: Some sly fishing was seen by Pryor to seep resources from this map! A little Oasis in this desert.
Game 2 –
Location:
Plains
Teams:
Harris - Germans
Keller - Romans
Vs.
Wong - Dutch
Schebesta – Random (French)
A large amount of talk was experienced prior to this game with Keller taunting Schebesta into submission pregame! Schebesta was handicapped with a Random civilization after the previous games performance. This game started with a slow but well thought out build up by the Keller and Harris civilization. Both Generals intended early rushes from the beginning and built their civilizations accordingly. Schebesta’s fumbling with his newly met French civilisation shone through with Kellers Caesar’s Legions marching in and over the closest city. A scrambling French army stood like wild rabbits staring into blinding lights stunned at the beauty of the blade about to strike it from existence! Schebesta’s army stood no chance to the might of a well groomed and well prepared horde of Roman troops raping and pillaging French cities trying to love not fight. A swift and quick battle loss actually resulted in a loss in the war.
Special Note: This is a milestone victory for the Keller Harris team and one which has sparked a new rivalry as can be seen as far back as Age of Kings prior to the conquerors edition.
Game 3 - “25. Gonna Rush!” “25. Gonna Rush!” “25. Gonna Rush!”
Location
Australian Outback
Teams
Wong - Bantu
Schebesta - Iroquois
Vs.
Harris - Germans
Keller - Romans
After initial hype and an undue amount of grief from Keller to Schebesta after a milestone victory the stage was set for a rematch. No handicaps no more talk just a challenge to Rise your Nation to world supremacy!
The Australian outback has always been an interesting map with its water resources calling and tight land opportunities. This war began with an initial taunt from Keller to all “25. Gonna Rush” and rush is exactly what he had in mind! The Wong and Schebesta team changed their stripes for this match and reverted to a much more military focused civilization. The Wong Bantu burst out of the sheds with a civilization bonus of 3 cities in the early minutes of the game and quickly inhabited the Australian Outback with many Archers and Heavy infantry and a smattering of light infantry. Herr Harris instilled his German civilization with his A grade production rushing horsemen and Vanderguards. An initial attack was met with Bantu defense and quashed to a rest although production raiders managed to pry off a loose civilian and halt a peaceful city to a bell crashing stop. Kellers regimented army waited peacefully in their barracks with a 5 strong heavy infantry 3 heavy horsemen and despot crash tackled its way into the Iroquois jungle. Schebesta met this force with armor piercing archer and javenlier and a tipple of heavy infantry. The might of the Roman Legionaire crushed bone and tower as it marched through the Schebesta base. A poor decision not to further upgrade his light infantry put Schebesta at a loss in battle and caused a military scramble. Schebesta lacked in production to a mighty Roman commerce filled nation. 3 battles saw Schebesta down a city and with only a partesian of troops. Reinforcements from the Wong empire eased the pain of a final assault on the Schebesta nation by Keller and allowed Schebesta to rise up to his all too faithful gunpowder age. Kellers army retreated trebuchet and all back into his base with a crushing double defence. Schebesta quickly turned slinger into arquebuster and marched into the Keller civilization where gunpowder sliced through metal in an all too familiar feeling for the Roman soliders. The might of supreme technology turned a powerful legionnaire into a cumbersome sword lugging brute. The Schebesta armies had no mercy in destroying all but a single temple when opening up the Keller Roman empire. Wong and Harris traded blows whilst the final Schebesta assault sliced through whilst Keller stood in his palace playing the Violin as his empire burnt to the ground and was filled with angry South American blood.
Special Note: A Harris double defence would have been tough given the might of the Bantu armies and the impending doom that could have been felt.
Next Game:
The next game is set for quite an intense battle! How is tonight?
3 games were played last night
Game 1 – Iroquois forever!
Location:
Sahara – Little resources but the little bits all add up to something!
Teams:
Schebesta - Iroquois
Pryor - Aztecs
Vs.
Wong - Dutch
Keller - Romans
This game started with an ill fated twang of quietness. An initial rush by Pryor by his Aztec warriors ripped into an unawares Dutch civilization of Mr Wong. This initial flombarge caused havoc for the Dutch empires who’s later game bonuses render them slightly vulnerable in the early game. This initial rush was eventually diffused with drastic time pressures being put on both civilizations in terms of moving up the ages. The lack of resources in this game made tough pickings for any civilization. A slow build up of armies formed into a gunpowder keg war between Keller and Schebesta out the front of their bases. Keller felt the wrath of the mighty Iroquois with devastating consequences as arquebuster cut through shield. A defensive double was started by Wong although all was too late with gunpowder turning into enlightenment and aquebuster turning into musket! Keller resigned and the game was ended.
Special note: Some sly fishing was seen by Pryor to seep resources from this map! A little Oasis in this desert.
Game 2 –
Location:
Plains
Teams:
Harris - Germans
Keller - Romans
Vs.
Wong - Dutch
Schebesta – Random (French)
A large amount of talk was experienced prior to this game with Keller taunting Schebesta into submission pregame! Schebesta was handicapped with a Random civilization after the previous games performance. This game started with a slow but well thought out build up by the Keller and Harris civilization. Both Generals intended early rushes from the beginning and built their civilizations accordingly. Schebesta’s fumbling with his newly met French civilisation shone through with Kellers Caesar’s Legions marching in and over the closest city. A scrambling French army stood like wild rabbits staring into blinding lights stunned at the beauty of the blade about to strike it from existence! Schebesta’s army stood no chance to the might of a well groomed and well prepared horde of Roman troops raping and pillaging French cities trying to love not fight. A swift and quick battle loss actually resulted in a loss in the war.
Special Note: This is a milestone victory for the Keller Harris team and one which has sparked a new rivalry as can be seen as far back as Age of Kings prior to the conquerors edition.
Game 3 - “25. Gonna Rush!” “25. Gonna Rush!” “25. Gonna Rush!”
Location
Australian Outback
Teams
Wong - Bantu
Schebesta - Iroquois
Vs.
Harris - Germans
Keller - Romans
After initial hype and an undue amount of grief from Keller to Schebesta after a milestone victory the stage was set for a rematch. No handicaps no more talk just a challenge to Rise your Nation to world supremacy!
The Australian outback has always been an interesting map with its water resources calling and tight land opportunities. This war began with an initial taunt from Keller to all “25. Gonna Rush” and rush is exactly what he had in mind! The Wong and Schebesta team changed their stripes for this match and reverted to a much more military focused civilization. The Wong Bantu burst out of the sheds with a civilization bonus of 3 cities in the early minutes of the game and quickly inhabited the Australian Outback with many Archers and Heavy infantry and a smattering of light infantry. Herr Harris instilled his German civilization with his A grade production rushing horsemen and Vanderguards. An initial attack was met with Bantu defense and quashed to a rest although production raiders managed to pry off a loose civilian and halt a peaceful city to a bell crashing stop. Kellers regimented army waited peacefully in their barracks with a 5 strong heavy infantry 3 heavy horsemen and despot crash tackled its way into the Iroquois jungle. Schebesta met this force with armor piercing archer and javenlier and a tipple of heavy infantry. The might of the Roman Legionaire crushed bone and tower as it marched through the Schebesta base. A poor decision not to further upgrade his light infantry put Schebesta at a loss in battle and caused a military scramble. Schebesta lacked in production to a mighty Roman commerce filled nation. 3 battles saw Schebesta down a city and with only a partesian of troops. Reinforcements from the Wong empire eased the pain of a final assault on the Schebesta nation by Keller and allowed Schebesta to rise up to his all too faithful gunpowder age. Kellers army retreated trebuchet and all back into his base with a crushing double defence. Schebesta quickly turned slinger into arquebuster and marched into the Keller civilization where gunpowder sliced through metal in an all too familiar feeling for the Roman soliders. The might of supreme technology turned a powerful legionnaire into a cumbersome sword lugging brute. The Schebesta armies had no mercy in destroying all but a single temple when opening up the Keller Roman empire. Wong and Harris traded blows whilst the final Schebesta assault sliced through whilst Keller stood in his palace playing the Violin as his empire burnt to the ground and was filled with angry South American blood.
Special Note: A Harris double defence would have been tough given the might of the Bantu armies and the impending doom that could have been felt.
Next Game:
The next game is set for quite an intense battle! How is tonight?
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