Phoenix - Running or trying to run a server?

[TasKiNG]

I am trying to run a Phoenix server but having trouble so looking to you guys for some inspiration. :)
First of all I am using a Cable modem and a seperate router. connected to the router I have a Server and my main PC.
I am running phoenix on the server in multiplayer mode.
The server is registering itself with PhoenixNet as it is visible on peoples server lists but when anyone tries to connect, they get the message "There was a problem connecting to the session - try again later".
I have set my router up to pass all UDP packets for ports 9000-9005 to the server and set up firewall rules to let UDP through on these ports.

My router is a M0n0wall router but I have also tried a belkin router but still have the same problem.

Now if I disconnect the router and connect my server directly to the cable model then the server works and people can connect. This of course limits me to only having one pc connected to the net though so it is not an option.

Any help / sugestions would be appreciated.

I would also like to know if you have tried setting up a phoenix server and whether is was successful or not and what was your hardware setup. i.e direct to modem or via a router.

Phoenix have just released a stand alone server application but I am still having the same problems with that.

Cheers

[Malc C]

I'm no expert here, but it sounds as if the firewall in the router is still blocking the connections. Some routers have a DMZ option which might be worth looking at, or you could try a dedicatd IP range in the router that has direct access to that server alone.

We had similar issues when playing one of the EA games over a network, where one PC runs the server software and the others log in. Whilst each Oc could see the server, none could actually join a session (game). Turned out to be something with the protocol used, even though the server suggested it supported IP the "server" didn't. Also make sure the server is not running anything like Zone Alarm !

[Ade]

the best people to ask is phoenix them selves. they made it so will be able to help! :-)

support@phoenix-sim.com

Ade

[TasKiNG]

Thanks Malc_C & Ade,

I tried setting up a DMZ but it still had the same problem.
I have come to the conclusion that it just doesn't like either of my routers NAT settings. I run a Quake 3 server with similar setting with no problems at all. It may be that the server software cannot handle talking to the net via a local IP address through the NAT.

Going to try something different tonight. I will put 2 Network cards into my server and run Phoenix Server in Linux using Wine ( It does work in Wine, Just tried it ). This will give direct access to my modem. Then I will connect my other machine to the other Network card and set the server up to share the internet. This should work, fingers crossed. I will report back my success or failure here :).

Thanks for suggesting the phoenix support, I sent them an email explaining my problems with screen dumps of my router configuration on Saturday. They offer great support and I'm sure they will get back to me. I will post their reply here also.

If I can get it all working then look out for the server ( Dragonflies )

Cheers

[Malc C]

I assume any PC trying to access the server can ping its IP address ?

[TasKiNG]

Sorted it out at last.
Phoenix Server is now running in "wine" on a linux server that is connected to my cable modem.
There is a 2nd network interface which I have connected to my hub to which I have connected my windows PC.
I have installed Firestarter on the server which gives me internet connection sharing.

Still dont know why it didnt work with my router. Had no reply from Phoenix which was strange as I've had great support so far. maybe with all the pics attached it got spam filtered :) .

Thanks again for your suggestions / help