Computer help!

[skylineGTR_guy]

I know there are many computer guru's on GTP so I thought I'd ask for your help.

I have an MSN DSL 1000 modem...which blows because all ports are blocked and MSN was supposed to make it configurable but apparently can't...That is hooked up to my Microsoft MN-500 wireless acess point with built in router. I can enable DMZ hosting (which I guess opens all ports) but my MSN modem blocks them. Anyway Basically I can't host any online games like Halo because my ports are blocked. Recently I began playing another game, but for some reason on this game I can host...I don't know why. Anyway, on this game there are many anoying people. Is there any firewall I can download or way configure my router to still retain my conection to the internet and the game but somehow block them out or ban their IP's? In order to do this I need to know their IP's right? so how do I get it? or better yet is there a way to just block all incoming connections or would that also block my internet hosting?

 

[Pako]

What Operating system are you running? Are you running a Client OS or a Server OS? Many server administrative concerns can be handled within the Server's OS. Running a server OS, you could setup a VPN/Firewall combination where you can decide which friends can access your comp., but this will involve additional hardware. Doesn't the Halo server side software keep track of IP address and allow you to 'kick' players that you wish? Can't you also setup a password for people signing into your game that your hosting so only people with your password can access your game hosted on your machine? I can't help with your MSN hardware issues as I am unfamilliar with it, but maybe there is a firmware update for both the router and the modem that would allow port forwarding so you don't have to DMZ your entire connection.

Just some ideas....

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Originally posted by Pako
What Operating system are you running? Are you running a Client OS or a Server OS? Many server administrative concerns can be handled within the Server's OS. Running a server OS, you could setup a VPN/Firewall combination where you can decide which friends can access your comp., but this will involve additional hardware. Doesn't the Halo server side software keep track of IP address and allow you to 'kick' players that you wish? Can't you also setup a password for people signing into your game that your hosting so only people with your password can access your game hosted on your machine? I can't help with your MSN hardware issues as I am unfamilliar with it, but maybe there is a firmware update for both the router and the modem that would allow port forwarding so you don't have to DMZ your entire connection.

Just some ideas....

As I said the DMZ doesn't even work becasue my router is behind my modem so my modem just re-blocks all ports, I cant host in halo but I can join. The game I am talking about isn't halo its gunbound. I have a /kick option in the game room but once they are in game I can't kick them. By blocking their Ip's I could effectivley kick them from my game by refusing it access to my computer. I'm not running a server, I just use my WAP/router so I can have wireless access on my laptop. I just have a client OS (win XP home) is there a program that lets me track ip's of people playing with me? Or somehow just ban all incoming Ip's?

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Would I have to use somethign like Ip tools and run a ping scanner to view connected Ips? What program can I use to ban IPs? or would I just use my router?

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Can I just find the program under procces ID then ban the remote address? Sorry for all the questions but I don't know anything about this stuff.

 

[Pako]

You could try a software based Firewall package. I haven't used any for M$ OSes, but I'm sure they're out there. Nortans makes a Personal Firewall software package that might be helpful. I'll do some looking, meanwhile, hit google and look for XP Home Firewall Software.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

thanks!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Does it work without the router? With the XBox connected straight to the DSL modem? If so, your problem is with the router, and it's called Port Address Translation.

The router connects to the internet via the modem, and so gains an ip address, which is internet-facing. All the devices you connect to the router, whether wirelessly or with cables, will be given a private address by the router, and it will probably be in the range 192.162.1.1 - 192.168.254.254. The problem is that inbound packets coming in on port xxxx cannot be routed, because the router does not know to which of the machines on your LAN the packet should be bound.

Therefore, you need to set up the PAT. You need to know the Port number that the inbound packets are travelling on (eg 3255), and you need to reserve an IP address (say 192.168.1.5) for your XBox. Then you set up PAT to say that all traffic coming in on port 3255 should be routed to 192.168.1.5.

HTH

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Does it work without the router? With the XBox connected straight to the DSL modem? If so, your problem is with the router, and it's called Port Address Translation.

The router connects to the internet via the modem, and so gains an ip address, which is internet-facing. All the devices you connect to the router, whether wirelessly or with cables, will be given a private address by the router, and it will probably be in the range 192.162.1.1 - 192.168.254.254. The problem is that inbound packets coming in on port xxxx cannot be routed, because the router does not know to which of the machines on your LAN the packet should be bound.

Therefore, you need to set up the PAT. You need to know the Port number that the inbound packets are travelling on (eg 3255), and you need to reserve an IP address (say 192.168.1.5) for your XBox. Then you set up PAT to say that all traffic coming in on port 3255 should be routed to 192.168.1.5.

HTH

I talked to MSoft about the halo issue and it shows their ignorance when it comes to compatability I use their modem, their OS, their game and their router adn none of them know what the hell the other is doing. Actually I have no trouble using my xbox to play online using xbox connect. I havent tried live yet.(I can't host but atleast I can play) The halo I was refering to was on the PC so it wasn't a trouble with PAT. the trouble is with my stupid non port forwading DSL modem. The only alternative is to buy a DSL modem that is compatible with MSN and is forewardable. The xbox works with the router becasue it has automatic address traslation, It's all PnP.

The problem I want to deal with is not with halo since I need a new modem to do that. The problem is with gunbound and just being able to identify and ban IPs.

Thanks for the info though. Maybee I should have clarified that my problem is not with halo. I was just explaining my setup and wondered why I couldn't host in halo but I could in gunbound.