How to Set Up a LInksys router for hosting

[MrSpkr]

After many false starts, I think I finally nailed this one down. Here is the step by step for what I did.

Step one.

First, open a command prompt (hit the Windows Key, then "All Programs", then "Accessories", then "Command Prompt"). Type in the following (less quotes) "ipconfig". This will bring up a screen with a lot of numbers and a few words. You are looking for a section titled "Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection". IN that section, there should be a line titled "IPv4 Address" and should read something like "192.168.1.###". Make a note of the numbers after the last period -- you will need them later.

Step two.

Now, open your Internet Browser. Type "192.168.1.1". That should bring up a prompt for your username and password for your router. If you don't know your username and password, the default is usually "admin" and "admin". Type in your user name and password.

This should bring up a blue and black screen about your router, with the word "Linksys" appearing somewhere along the top. If you get a garbled picture or no picture at all, don't panic. Go to your router, unplug the power supply, count to thirty, plug it in again, then go to your computer, wait for it to reconnect to the internet, and log in again. This should fix any visual problems you may have had.

Step three.

Now, click on the words "Applications & Gaming". This should bring up a page for Port Range Forwarding (if not, look for those words on your screen and click on them).

Enter the following values:

Application: "SOW"
Start: "31791"
End: "31791"
Protocol: "UDP"

IP Address: Remember the numbers we got earlier from the command prompt? Here, under IP Address, you will see the following: "192.168.1. [blank]". Enter the numbers I told you to copy in step one into the blank.

Now click the box titled "Enable".

Finish by clicking "Save Settings" at the bottom of the screen.

That should do it. Exit out of your router by closing your Internet Browser. Open SOW:GB and try hosting an MP game!

My model is a Linksys WRT-54G -- I presume this method will work with any newer Linksys Router.

Special thanks to Matt Clyburn for helping me figure out one little part of this process that was keeping me from hosting!

Steve

[Chamberlain]

Alright Steve,

Sounds like your Hosting problems are a thing of the past !!!

Chamberlain

[Gfran64]

I set everything up as described with the Linksys router. Played 2 x 2 with someone else hosting last night and had no problems. Then I tried to host a game with just me playing but it said the server was not found and I need to map the port. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Greg

[Chamberlain]

Hey Greg,

Have you run port checker to see if your port is open ?

http://portforward.com/help/portcheck.htm

This will also tell you if the port is open and what the IP address is also.

Easy step by step.

Chamberlain

[Gfran64]

Chamberlain wrote:

Hey Greg,

Have you run port checker to see if your port is open ?

http://portforward.com/help/portcheck.htm

This will also tell you if the port is open and what the IP address is also.

Easy step by step.

Chamberlain

Ok,

I ran the port checker. It says it is open. There is an exception for SOW in my Windows Firewall and I made an exception for the port in Windows Firewall. Still no go on hosting. I can play MP but I just can't host. I alos have AVG software, maybe that is messing things up. Any other ideas welcome.

Thanks,

Greg B)

[Marching Thru Georgia]

Gfran64 wrote:

I can play MP but I just can't host. I alos have AVG software, maybe that is messing things up. Any other ideas welcome.

I use AVG and can host. I always turn off the firewall, before I host. If you are behind a router, the firewall is just redundant. It's already acting as a firewall.

[Gfran64]

Marching Thru Georgia wrote:

Gfran64 wrote:

I can play MP but I just can't host. I alos have AVG software, maybe that is messing things up. Any other ideas welcome.

I use AVG and can host. I always turn off the firewall, before I host. If you are behind a router, the firewall is just redundant. It's already acting as a firewall.

Which AVG component is the firewall, or are you referring to Windows Firewall, or both?

Greg

[Marching Thru Georgia]

I was referring to Windows firewall. I just use the free version of AVG, it does not have a firewall. If your version does, then you'll want to try disabling it.

[AP514]

Ok here is the trouble I had/have....your computer gives a new(IP)last 3 digits to your computer every time you start up...Example I have 3 computers running thru my linksys. say comp # 1 has a last digits of .101 #2 has .102, #3 has .103...So Every time I start up the computer I get a new number. Say my computer is #2.. I open ports .102..but computer #1 is shut off and I shut down my computer (#2) Now when I fire the computer back up it get assigned .101..but my ports are open for .102 so now I can not HOST..get it ? what you need to do is assign a static IP#...Here is an old help article about this
http://www.watchingthenet.com/linksys-t ... twork.html

I hope it helps you..

AP514

[Gfran64]

Thanks guys,

I'll try these things tonight.

Gerg