Fixed: Some Say Ok. Some Say No Way.

Tarrifist · 09-02-2006

Okay, I been browsing the forums from here and some others and I am confused as to the REAL answer. But I bet someone will answer with "All depends on what you call REAL"

So here is the question:

Is it really safe to turn off the software firewall while gaming online? (Not browser base games).

I ask this because I am playing a game that allows P2P and my logs show that the firewall is blocking everything--including the login request--yet, I can play..lol. But no custom data I have made is being transmitted over p2p.

Hengis · 09-02-2006

Have you tried making that particular program an exception in the firewall?

asa_sniper · 09-02-2006

Also most Software firewall's now a days have what is called gaming mode. Where it will block all internet activity exept the game you are playing online

Tarrifist · 09-02-2006

Hengis,
I've tried everything (that I know of). Still blocking so the log says.

ASA_Sniper,
This one mentions something about that but it was part of Parental Control. Wish I did not buy.

Of course I am talking about Norton Internet Security.

Here is what I do know. NIS has a 3 teir rule layout. The 1st is General Rules, then Program Rules and lastly Secondary Rules.

As far as I can tell both the General and Secondary rules apply to ALL programs and changing one of them will affect all programs that access the internet. The Program rule applies only to that one program.

That is where the program lies I think. No matter what Program rule I set up the General Rules override it. From what I have read in the NIS help file that is how it works.

So, I tried the game without the Firewall and played for a few minutes. Exit the game and scan the logs and guess what, still blocking even with the firewall turned off. How I dunno. I am not even sure if it is blocking incoming or outgoing data.

Boy am I feeling dumb. Life was so much easier before all this stuff came along--(meaning Spyware, Virus, Firewalls...etc.)

Hengis · 09-03-2006

What game are we talking about here?

Tarrifist · 09-03-2006

Trackmanina Nations

Hengis · 09-03-2006

Straight from the horses mouth - well, the dev (TM) site actually

Start\ control panel\ security centre
Click Windows Firewall button
Click advanced tab
In Network connection settings area, click settings button

Under services tab click Add button
In Description of service type 'Trackmania'
In External AND internal port number type 2350
In Name or IP address box, put your IP address. If you dont know it, go to
WhatIsMyIP.com - 64.118.92.20 and write down the number to put in
Click the TCP radio button then click ok.

Under services tab click Add button again
In Description of service type 'Trackmania' again
In External AND internal port number type 2350 again
In Name or IP address box, put your IP address.
Click the UDP radio button then click ok

Now just close down the open windows.

Start trackmania and on the start up screen click Configure then advanced
button
On the Network Tab set server port to 2350, client port to 0
In 'Force server address' type your IP address
Do not tick 'Use local address' unless you use a router or are on a network which has an IP assigning component
leave everything else blank.

Now start and set up a server. It should run ok.

Note: If your ISP provides you with a dynamic IP address (most do) then you will
need to check your IP address now and then and update the above to suit the
new IP address.

You could off course turn off your firewall, but this leaves you wide open to abuse. So why chance it when the above is so easy?

*If you use a router *

You can do the above but also:

In your #router utility software you need to set up a virtual server.
To do this you need to know the IP address your router assigns to your pc. There will be a specific number so hunt around the router software till you find it.
[Edit]If you can't find it do Start/Run type 'cmd', press enter. In the dos box type 'ipconfig' then press enter. Note the ip address, then shut down the dos box.[/Edit]
This is a different number to the ISP IP address!

Now add a port, give it an id (anything) if asked, give a public port AND private port of 2350 when/if prompted, click UDP. If asked for a host IP give the router assigned IP address.
Now add another port, give it an id (anything) if asked, give a public port AND private port of 2350 when/if prompted, click TCP. If asked for a host IP give the router assigned IP address again.

Start trackmania and on the start up screen click Configure then advanced
button
On the Network Tab set server port to 2350, client port to 0
In 'Force server address' type your [Edit]ISP given[/Edit] IP address
Tick 'Use local address'.
leave everything else blank.

Thats it! I've used this method to run trackmania for a year on XP and Win 98 on 2 different servers.

BTW. When you get up and running, on a 512k broadband connection, 16 players is about maximum before lag starts to set in. That's a years experience talking, so don't set your player level too high. Lag is the one thing that will get your visitors slagging you off.

Your ISP will periodically change your IP address (unless you pay for a fixed IP address, most don't), so check it before you run your server, and make adjustments if necessary.

09-02-2006	#1
Tarrifist Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 35	Some Say Ok. Some Say No Way. Okay, I been browsing the forums from here and some others and I am confused as to the REAL answer. But I bet someone will answer with "All depends on what you call REAL" So here is the question: Is it really safe to turn off the software firewall while gaming online? (Not browser base games). I ask this because I am playing a game that allows P2P and my logs show that the firewall is blocking everything--including the login request--yet, I can play..lol. But no custom data I have made is being transmitted over p2p.

09-02-2006	#2
Hengis PCHF Founder & Owner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The PCHF Bunker Posts: 13,971 PC Experience: Microsoft Certified Professional	Have you tried making that particular program an exception in the firewall? __________________ Pre-Work / System File Checker / Promote PCHF!

09-02-2006	#3
asa_sniper PCHF $ Mega Donor Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 518	Also most Software firewall's now a days have what is called gaming mode. Where it will block all internet activity exept the game you are playing online __________________ Prework..Hijackthis..Tools..Downloads..Older Version's of Programs..Everest Full..My Little PC.. If you find that we have saved you some money or other reasons please help this site and Donate Only the Dead Have seen the end of war.....Plato Off for the day writing tutorial

09-03-2006	#5
Hengis PCHF Founder & Owner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The PCHF Bunker Posts: 13,971 PC Experience: Microsoft Certified Professional	What game are we talking about here? __________________ Pre-Work / System File Checker / Promote PCHF!

09-03-2006	#7
Hengis PCHF Founder & Owner Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The PCHF Bunker Posts: 13,971 PC Experience: Microsoft Certified Professional	Straight from the horses mouth - well, the dev (TM) site actually Start\ control panel\ security centre Click Windows Firewall button Click advanced tab In Network connection settings area, click settings button Under services tab click Add button In Description of service type 'Trackmania' In External AND internal port number type 2350 In Name or IP address box, put your IP address. If you dont know it, go to WhatIsMyIP.com - 64.118.92.20 and write down the number to put in Click the TCP radio button then click ok. Under services tab click Add button again In Description of service type 'Trackmania' again In External AND internal port number type 2350 again In Name or IP address box, put your IP address. Click the UDP radio button then click ok Now just close down the open windows. Start trackmania and on the start up screen click Configure then advanced button On the Network Tab set server port to 2350, client port to 0 In 'Force server address' type your IP address Do not tick 'Use local address' unless you use a router or are on a network which has an IP assigning component leave everything else blank. Now start and set up a server. It should run ok. Note: If your ISP provides you with a dynamic IP address (most do) then you will need to check your IP address now and then and update the above to suit the new IP address. You could off course turn off your firewall, but this leaves you wide open to abuse. So why chance it when the above is so easy? If you use a router You can do the above but also: In your #router utility software you need to set up a virtual server. To do this you need to know the IP address your router assigns to your pc. There will be a specific number so hunt around the router software till you find it. [Edit]If you can't find it do Start/Run type 'cmd', press enter. In the dos box type 'ipconfig' then press enter. Note the ip address, then shut down the dos box.[/Edit] This is a different number to the ISP IP address! Now add a port, give it an id (anything) if asked, give a public port AND private port of 2350 when/if prompted, click UDP. If asked for a host IP give the router assigned IP address. Now add another port, give it an id (anything) if asked, give a public port AND private port of 2350 when/if prompted, click TCP. If asked for a host IP give the router assigned IP address again. Start trackmania and on the start up screen click Configure then advanced button On the Network Tab set server port to 2350, client port to 0 In 'Force server address' type your [Edit]ISP given[/Edit] IP address Tick 'Use local address'. leave everything else blank. Thats it! I've used this method to run trackmania for a year on XP and Win 98 on 2 different servers. BTW. When you get up and running, on a 512k broadband connection, 16 players is about maximum before lag starts to set in. That's a years experience talking, so don't set your player level too high. Lag is the one thing that will get your visitors slagging you off. Your ISP will periodically change your IP address (unless you pay for a fixed IP address, most don't), so check it before you run your server, and make adjustments if necessary. __________________ Pre-Work / System File Checker / Promote PCHF!

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