A lot of NetStorm players are having problems serving games. There are various ways how to fix this, but in most cases theese listed steps will help you.


Step 1: Turn off the firewall icon in NetStorm:

To be able to host games in NetStorm, you have to first set the following option in multiplayer:

Press Esc in Multiplayer Zone (Serenisphere)> Options > Pass Server Diagnostics (on)

You can see for yourself -- if you have the Pass Server Diagnostics On - you will loose the firewall icon besides your island name. Without the firewall icon you can now join the ring and become a battlemaster. See more about battlemaster starting a game in Intro Guide.


Step 2: Set your Windows firewall


Windows XP Tutorial:

Most of the players who still cannot serve (other players will not connect to them, even if they are battlemasters) have windows XP firewall - this guide will tell you two ways to fix this a) and b), however, keep in mind if you have some other firewall, or a router, you might need to configure those as well (see step 3).

a) Turn off the Xp firewall! (this is the easiest way)
You should only turn off the xp firewall, if you have a virus scan. This isn't always a wise choice, but it is your choice.

Ok first, click on your start button. Then go over settings, on the extend menu select "network connections". This will bring up the network connections window. Right click on your active connection, and go to properties. There will be 3 tabs at the top of the menu that pop ups.
The tabs will be the following in order: general, authentication, and then advance. The advance tab is what you want to pick. Once you are at this point, this is where it gets tricky. What you are going to see depends if you have Services Pack 1 or Services Pack 2 for windows Xp:

Service Pack 1
You will see a box that can be checked, or un checked. If its checked, just un check it and click ok to everything, and your firewall will be turned off. You should now be able to serve on NetStorm. If you can't then there is something else blocking your connection, such as another firewall or a router. Follow instructions to step 3.

Service Pack 2
You will see a box with the word "settings..." in it. Click on Settings and you have another window popping up. Just worry about the first tab that it opens up to, and put the bullet in the off spot. Click ok to everything, and your firewall will be turned off. You should now be able to serve on netstorm. If you can't then there is something else blocking your connection, such as another firewall or a router.

b) set exception in XP firewall (this is the harder way)
Ok first, click on your start button. Then go over settings, on the extend menu select "network connections". This will bring up the network connections window. Right click on your active connection, and go to properties. There will be 3 tabs at the top of the menu that pop ups.
The tabs will be the following in order; general, authentication, and then advance. The advance tab is what you want to pick.

You will see a box with the word "settings..." in it. Click on Settings and you have another window popping up. Ok first you will notice there are 3 tabs at the top of the pop up window. In order they are, General, Exceptions, and Advanced.

First, on the general tab. The firewall should be already on. If its not, and you can't serve on NetStorm you have other problems. However, lets assume it is on. Make for sure there is not a check inside the box that says "Don't allow exceptions". Once you have done that, go a head and click on the Exceptions tab.

Under the white space in Exceptions tab, you will see a few buttons. click on "add port...". Another window will pop up. In the space Name: put netstorm, and in the space Port number put 6799. Make for sure the bullet is inside TCP. Click ok.

Then click on "add port.." again. Same thing. This time in the space Name: put netstorm2. In the port space, put 6800. Click ok, and then ok again all the way back until everything is closed. It should now allow you to server on NetStorm. If it does not double check everything. If you don't see any problems you most likely have some other firewall or a router blocking you. Read the manuals on those to fix those problems, and allow the same ports to go through.


Windows 7 Tutorial:

To open the ports of the W7 firewall, you must do the following:

Start > Control Pannel > System & Security > Windows Firewall

From here it gets harder, considering the fact that W7 allows other applications such as third party protection software with firewalls to take over your windows firewall settings. Make sure to check your settings in other firewalls too.

Setting NetStorm ports in W7 Firewall is done in Cotrol Panel menu. You can find it down your left hand side of the screen. Then click "Advanced Settings", as Shown below:



Then Click Inbound Rules on the left Dropdown:



Then Click new Rule on the Right hand Side and input everything as shown in next pictures:













Step 3: Configure your Router

The ports you have to open on those firewalls or router, are TCP 6800 and 6799. Either see your firewall or router manual for help on this or follow a fast guide below:

a) Get your IP and GATEWAY number:

Start-menu > Run > write CMD or command > in CMD-window write ipconfig

(Shortcut for Run: Windowsflag/Startmenu on keyboard + R)

If you can't get CMD up you can take this path instead:
Start-menu > Connections > My Connections > Double-click Local Area Connection > change TAB to "Support"

This is how it will look like: (Note this is an EXAMPLE)

Connection-Specific DNS-suffix . : *******
IP-Address . . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.183 <-- Your Local-IP
Subnet-Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . : *******
Default-Gateway . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1 <-- Your Router

Note:You can copy paste the stuff you want from the CMD by right clicking on the black window, selecting "select", dragging and selecting the numbers (ip, gateway) and pressing ENTER when you have it selected (this will save the selected - highlighted stuff to you clipboard). Then you can paste it in your browser with known shortcut ctrl+v.


b) Access your Router settings:

Open any internet-browser > write your Default-Gateway IP > Login-window will appear > write either of these combinations:

User: / Pass:
Admin / Admin
Admin / Password
Admin / 1234
Admin / (nothing)
(nothing) / (nothing)

You are now logged into the Router and can access settings.

Different Routers have different menus but the most common ones are these:

Advanced > Virtual Server
Advanced > Port Forward
Firewall > Virtual Server
NAT > Port Forward

There you will write this:

Name: Netstorm
Port: 6799 (or range 6799-6800)
Protocol: TCP
Destination/IP: Your Local-IP (EXAMPLE: 192.168.0.183)

SAVE!

Example: You can take a look for an example picture how to forward ports.

If you experience problems again these are the most common cases:

1. Firewall on Computer blocking 6799 (Turn off)
2. IP-Address to your Computer has been changed (Put Static IP-Address in Router DHCP settings)

You can review the Blizzard's Support for more info about routers - How to configure your router.


Step 4: Ask for help.

Talk to Sanctuary Member, Admin or any other player who wants to help at Netstorm if you get stuck!

Remember, it all depends on your internet connection and admin rights of your computer. If all fails, try to ask your service provider.

Or if you want to help yourself:

http://www.portforward.com/guides.htm


-written by IV0, MrBiG, Saber, Grant