Installing proxy server for games (WXP-Pro)

[Þ666Þ]

I have an ADSL internet connection router with default settings .. and so do many of my friends.Problem is that since the setups are same,we all have the same IPs (192.168.0.1),how do I setup game server so that others can join in (SWAT4,UT2004 etc)

Thanks,
M

[motoflop]

So you want to play lan games over ADSL connections. It's possible if your ADSL router supports inbound connections and virtual servers. What you have to do is to configure your ADSL router to allow connections from internet to your pc. Only those who want to host net games have to configure their ADSL routers. I cannot give exact instructions, because configuring virtual servers depends on your ADSL router model, but here are some general guidelines.

- Find user manual for your ADSL router. For many routers you can find that from manufacturers web site if you didn't got printed copy or copy on CD.
- Check if your router supports virtual servers and find instructions how to configure them.
- Check which ports your games uses to host LAN games. Many games allows you to choose server port. When configuring virtual server you must know which port your computer is listening.
- Select which port you want to use for external connections to your virtual server. It can be same than your game is using or it can be something else.
- Now configure virtual server. Public port is the port for external connections. Private port is the port your game is listening. Host address is local IP adddress of your pc (192.168.0.1).
- Configure your firewall (either windows internal or other one you might have) on your pc to allow connections to that port your game is listening
- If your ADSL router has internal firewall, check it to allow connections to that external port which you have defined to virtual server.
- Check external address of your ADSL router. It should be visible somewhere on your routers screens. Alternatively connect to web sites like http://www.whatismyip.com or http://www.whatismyipaddress.com to see that address.

Now your friends can try to connect to your computer using that external address and port defined for that virtual server. Note that many ISPs give dynamic IP addresses for ADSL users. Therefore you shoul check now and then that your external IP address is still same. There are also name services for dynamic IP addresses, for example http://www.thefreecountry.com/webmaster/freedns.shtml.

Be careful when you define virtual servers, because you are opening your computer to internet and that can be security risk. If your games doesn't contain any known security holes, your gaming should be safe. Do not open any unnecessary ports to your computer. For example defining virtual servers for netbios, remote desktop or other well known ports is high risk. You can reduce risk if your router has internal firewall. Ask external address for you friend computers and allow only those computers to acceess you virtual servers. That way only your friends are able to hack your computer and if they are truly friends they won't do it.