Networks - Ports - Routers

LAG, LATENCY, and DISCO's (Not the Sat Night kind)
In order to cover all connectivity issues, this document contains solutions for both dialup and broadband connections.  With this in mind, please skip the 56K solutions if you're troubleshooting a broadband connection, or vice versa if troubleshooting dialup.
 
If you aren't being disconnected but would like to improve your connection, the next section "How To Improve Your Connection in FIVE (easy) steps" is exactly what you need.
 
Troubleshooting disconnection issues FAQ 'N Manuals:

Disconnected While Playing or Chatting on Zone.com
 


Reverse Trace Can Reveal High Traffic Causing Disconnects
* Legacy page from the old website design circa 2000-2005
 
Another reason for disconnects could be an external router or modem that has overheated.  Try unplugging it for awhile, and contact your ISP to see if they have a newer model if the problem keeps recurring.  If you haven't configured your router firewall, it might be blocking you.
 
Disconnects can be caused by your Modem or Network Cards and by other programs running on your system.  Firewalls and even AntiVirus programs have been know to slow down or disconnect players.
 
Disable startup programs using the method explained at: http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
 
Make certain that your Network adapter or Internal Modem is not in the slot directly beside the graphics card.  This can cause a conflict which may cause disconnects.  In fact, if you move your card to another slot, it may solve a conflict it's having with another card(s) in your system.

 

How To Improve Your Connection in FIVE (easy) steps
ONE: Run this SPEED TEST
 
TWO:  Download TCP Optimizer Utility
double click it to run the program:  Select the type of connection you're using: Dialup, DSL, DSL (PPPoE), or Cable, then click "Optimal settings", click Apply changes, and click Exit. 

THREE:  Run the SPEED TEST again.  Any improvement?

FOUR: Use these Tip Sites to Improve Your Connection:
Network Troubleshooting Resource Center for MS Games

Latency: What is it? What can you do about it?

MSN Zone Latency Troubleshooter

ModemSite.com Dial Up Modem Support Site

Practically Networked Troubleshooting Guide

FIVE: Extra fine tweaking for the more advanced users:

Extra items in your Networking Properties Components list may confuse and delay your system while it's connecting as it has to choose which component to transfer the data through.  This link shows how to Remove Unnecessary Networking Components.  Note: If you don't use dial up, replace "Dial Up Adapter" with "Network Adapter" in the instructions they give you on that web page.

If you don't use a Dialup Modem, delete it.  In 99% of cases VPN components aren't used, so you can safely delete those as well.

Advanced Users can try
Reinstalling ICS and Networking Components

Lag/Latency can be caused by your Modem or Network Cards and by other programs running on your system.  Firewalls and even Antivirus software are known to slow connections down .

Employ these Microsoft tools to remove malware from your PC:
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta)

Disable startup programs using the method explained at: http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php

 

Ports used for Online Gaming and how to open them
 
A) If you have a Firewall or Proxy that is installed on your computer, your Network, or your Router/External Modem open the following ports:

Official list of ports used by DirectX

Official list of ports used by Zone.com

I broke down the ports listed in the those two articles to make this list which is similar to the way router configuration pages refer to them: 

MSN Zone: Ports TCP: 80, 443, 9999, 
                 Port 6667 TCP is the Trigger Port for
                 Port Range: 28800 to 29100 TCP

DirectX 8-9: Initial UDP Out Port: 6073 is the Trigger for  
                         In/Outbound (Port Range): UDP 2302 to 2400
   DirectX 7: Initial TCP Out Port: 47624 is the Trigger for  
                         In/Outbound (Port Range): TCP  2300 to 2400
 
ALSO VISIT: Tim Williams' Game Ports List for even more info.
 
 
DON'T SKIP THIS BIT!

Visit www.portforward.com for an AMAZING list of setup instructions for all different router models, AND a list of ports for games and other applications too! 
 
B) Ports Required to Play Asherons Call           

*Erratum: Asherons Call ports should include port 2001 UDP Inbound, to avoid disconnections at the Character Selection Screen.   Make sure you have checked Derived from IP for port address in the AC Setup.     

New!  Port Detective www.portdetective.com Can be used to test your ports to see if the ones needed to play are open.  This is a great find! 
 
C) Sometimes Ports may change, or if you need to find which ports are being used by a specific program:  Install ActivePorts.
 
D) Test your connection to see if there's a firewall blocking you

E) These sites have instructions on how to configure most Firewalls. If the Firewall is built into your Router, skip down to that section.

FireWall.Net Configurations For all Major Firewalls

How to Configure the XP Firewall for Online Gaming

How to Manually Open WinXP Firewall Ports
 
 
F) Here's some Specialized sites to read if you use:

If you must use a proxy try switching to WinProxy instead.

 
G) If your ISP or your Network Administrator is running a proxy, provide them with the links to the ports we listed in Step A.
 
 
 
 
Routers
 
The majority of home routers and some ISP Modems use Network Address Translation, commonly known as: NAT
 
To see if you're using NAT Click Here. 
 
If you found out that you're using NAT that means you have two IP numbers to consider for the computer you're using.  The Public IP is like a phone number for your router.  The Private IP is like a private extension number for each of the computers attached to the router.  When your router gets a call with information from the public number, it then dials your extension and transfers the information to you.
 
This wouldn't be a problem if routers didn't have built in firewalls.  This is something that manufacturers didn't consider when they started selling routers to the public.  Eventually they'll provide easy to use programs with their products but until that time we'll just  suffer.
 
Some routers now have SPECIAL APPLICATION settings that open the specific Ports needed for the MSN Gaming Zone. You would access that through the Routers Web Based setup panel.  It's so easy to do, check first to see if you have that option before continuing.
 
Use DMZ: You Won't Have To Open Ports
 
Instead of having to open all those Ports, Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) allows one IP Address (computer) to be exposed to the Internet.  Some applications require multiple TCP/IP ports to be open.  DMZ allows just one computer to be exposed for that purpose.  It is recommended that you set your computer with a static IP if you want to use DMZ.  Use a local firewall when using DMZ though.

You may have to remove proxy settings, or remove the dial-up settings of the computer you configure for DMZ access.  Those settings are in the Internet Explorer "Tools" / "Internet Options" menu under the "Connection" Tab / "Lan Settings".

 

How To Configure DMZ on your Home Router
 
There are too many routers on the market to explain how to setup each one, so I'm concentrating on the most popular: LinkSys.  
 
Note:  Visit www.portforward.com for setup instructions and screenshots for almost every model of router available.
 
Here's how to setup DMZ on your Linksys Router:

A) Find the internal IP of the computer you want to play from

B) Click http://192.168.1.1 to login.  Default Password is: admin
Some models may use http://192.168.101.1 instead.

C) Click the Orange Advanced Button, then "DMZ Host".

D) Enter the last number(s) of the Internal IP on the DMZ host page. I.E.: if it was 192.168.1.2, type 2 then click APPLY and you've finished!

** If you don't have a static IP assigned to your computer, and it changes, your DMZ will not work until you enter the new IP into the router.  To avoid this problem, call Linksys and have them help you assign a Static IP.

Load this +Action clip to watch a Linksys DMZ Configuration.

 

How To Forward / Open Ports in your Home Router

DMZ setup is pretty easy.  If you have 2 or more computers on your network that you want to be able to play online with then we'll have to forward the Zone and DX Ports from the LinkSys Router to each of the computers on the network using this method:
 
B) Click http://192.168.1.1 to login.  Default Password is: admin
Some models may use http://192.168.101.1 instead.
 
C) Click the Orange Advanced Button, then "Forwarding".
 
D) Forward ports as shown in this screenshot if you have more recent Linksys Router Firmware use this screenshot instead.
 

Now we have one computer using DMZ to play online, and a 2nd computer using Forwarding.  To add a 3rd computer, forward the ports to it's internal IP using the the method we used for the 2nd computer.

Linksys upgraded their firmware making that screenshot out of date, but still a valid reference.  You should contact your Linksys Tech 1-800-326-7114 to upgrade your firmware to make it DX 9 UPnP compliant, and also help you setup Static IP's for each computer. 

For more detailed info visit: 
+Lord_Piper & +CyberDad's router tech page.
 
 
 
Non-Linksys Routers
To setup your (non-Linksys) router for DMZ or portforwarding:
 
If you don't have DMZ or Special Application options, configure your router with the ports listed in the Ports section near the top of the page..  Every port you add should be both TCP and UDP.  Some Routers can use Triggered Map solutions as well.  Here's some more sites to read:
 
 
 
 
 
LINKSYS ROUTER SPECIFIC LINKS AND INFO:
 
 
 
 
SMC Support Tools - Frequently Asked Questions 

Cisco Technical Support Site (all topics)

 
 
 
 
 
Is your Router NOT on the List?  Search www.google.com using your Router's Make and Model and the Keywords: Support Phone.  That will usually return a result with the Toll Free Number you need to reach their Technical Support agents.

 

DSL
 

Your ISP may be providing you with software that blocks ports that are needed to play on the Zone.  Download and use RASPPoE instead.  Many reported that it fixed their troubles, especially with LinkSys Routers and devices.
 
In Internet Explorer, click on Tools / Internet Options / Connection Tab / Lan Settings... button / Ensure the Proxy choice is unchecked.
If you are using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and the outbound connection uses PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE), the clients that are using the ICS connection may not be able to browse some Web sites or send  e-mail messages that contain attachments.  The solution is to Download TCP Optimizer Utility double click it to run the program:  Select the type of connection you're using: Dialup, DSL, DSL (PPPoE), or Cable, then click "Optimal settings", click Apply changes, and click Exit.

Read the DSL PPPoE TROUBLESHOOTER for more suggestions.

 
ICS - Internet Connection Sharing
 
If you have a home network installed, chances are that it is using the ICS service provided by the Windows operating system.  If you're looking to setup a Home Network properly, read the next section titled INSTALLING HOME NETWORKS first for some excellent advice.
 
ICS is a very easy way to share your internet connection, however there exists a limitation whereas the computer that is using the shared connection will not have complete Zone gaming capabilities enjoyed by the host.
 
Opening the PORTS should solve that problem, however it's a little tricky for the average home user to create.  Luckily there exists a Free ICS Configuration Utility Download, which will use the DPLAY ICS Configuration file download, on that page to do the work for you on Win98/Me/2k systems.
 
If you're using Windows XP ICS you  have to Open Ports.  
 
Here are some great ICS Helpsites
 
 
 
 
 
 

Installing Home Networks
 
Installing a home network is easy with the right guides: