DXport setup for MechWarrior4
This is an XP Home/Pro setup example Section 1: Player (client) computer(s) only. No Server Section 2: Server(s) w/Player (client) computer(s) Definitions:
WAN = Wide area network (internet connection/address on the external side of your router) LAN = Local area network (network connection/addresses on the internal side of your router)
Intro: There have been many inquiries about having 2 or more computers configured to play MechWarrior4 in the same household on the same WAN connection. Most households now have more than 1 computer and the idea of whole family gaming has become commonplace. The documentation below attempts to simplify the setup process of allowing multiple computers to play MechWarrior4 on 1 WAN address.

Section 1

Requirements:
You must have 2 or more LAN computers with static addresses. *(see Routers-Ports-Firewalls)* You must have the knowledge and ability to forward ports in your router correctly. You must be able to adjust settings in each computers firewall & anti-virus program. You must have some advanced knowledge of computers & networking.
From the DXport web page: DXport allows multiple computers behind a NAT device to connect to Internet games that use the DirectX Netcode. No 2 computers from 1 WAN address can connect to a server using the same ports! Explanation (simple): DirectX 7 & MechWarrior4 uses DirectX Netcode to negotiate communications between players & players and players & servers. DXport deals with the fact that you cannot set the client port with games using the DirectX Netcode. (Choose what port(s) to connect to a server with) DXport forces DirectX Netcode to use the port(s) you specify allowing more than 1 computer on a LAN to connect to DirectX games (MechWarrior4) and or servers using 1 external WAN IP address. First: You will need to download DXport to each computer you intend to play with. You can get DXport here > http://www.puffinsoft.com/ Dont open it, well get back to the setup of DXport a little later.

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Second: You will need to write down each of the computers static address. *The address you assigned to each computer when you changed your network scheme to static addressing. (see requirements above) * Example settings:
Router port forwarding: The example below shows the static address (LAN) address you gave to each individual computer, then shows the ports you will need to forward to it in your router. Example of new settings
PC#1 - 192.168.1.125 Port Forward TCP & UDP 2315 to 2325 (Jens room) PC#2 - 192.168.1.150 Port Forward TCP & UDP 2326 to 2336 (Jacks room) PC#3 - 192.168.1.175 Port Forward TCP & UDP 2337to 2347 (Johns room) The IP address ranges you choose for each computer should be above ###.###.100 TCP & UDP port selection MUST be between 2315 & 2400 and MUST NOT overlap.
Installing DXport: You have already downloaded DXport so now lets get it where it needs to be and set it up for use. Click on the DXport file you downloaded and a window will appear that should look like this
Install DXport on each of the machines you intend to play MechWarrior 4 on by clicking the unzip button.
DXport Setup & Start up: You will need to do this on each individual computer using the ports you forward to it. Go to where you installed DXport and click on DXport.exe. A window will open that looks like this. Follow the instructions on the right.
Once you press the update button, you can close the window and check that you have entered the correct ports by moving your mouse over the DXport icon in the taskbar. (bottom right hand corner of your computer) The ports should match those you entered for that particular PC. The above example uses PC#1 (JensRoom) Now right click on the taskbar DXport icon and click on Start minimized. It will close and continue to be in operation. This will prevent the DXport window from opening upon PC re-boot. To make DXport auto start: To make DXport auto start when you start your computer, go back to the folder you installed DXport to, right click, make shortcut to DXport.exe and drag it to your desktop for the moment. Click on My computer, Local disk (C:), Documents and Settings, your user name, Start Menu, Programs, Startup and drag the shortcut from your desktop into the Startup folder. Close all windows, re-start your computer. You will see the DXport icon in the taskbar.

Section 2:

Server w/Player (client) computer(s): ***Advanced user information*** Requirements:
LAN computers must have static addresses. *(see Routers-Ports-Firewalls)* You must have the knowledge and ability to forward ports in your router. You must have the required server ports forwarded properly to your server. (see DirectX7 Microsoft games port specifications for other required ports)
Note! The only ports ANY single client (player) computer needs opened to play on any MechWarrior Server are any 10 TCP&UDP ports between 2315 & 2400. Server Example: Adjust your server ports accordingly: Port forward TCP&UDP 2300 to 2350 to the server. ( DXport not required) Client Examples: Adjust your client ports accordingly: Port forward TCP&UDP 2351 to 2360 client #1 Port forward TCP&UDP 2361 to 2370 client #2 Port forward TCP&UDP 2371 to 2380 client #3 Port forward TCP&UDP 2381 to 2390 client #4 Port forward TCP&UDP 2391 to 2400 client #5 DXport must be run on each client machine. Your server will be accessible by your other clients via WAN through MekMatch or by using the WAN address as the connection to MechWarrior. In the above instance all clients also have the ability to connect to any MechWarrior server (even your own) concurrently or individually.
DXport required DXport required DXport required DXport required DXport required

Routers-Ports-Firewalls-Anti-virus
Single computer & router setup for on-line MechWarrior4

Pre-setup definitions

Routers: Most Internet connections are made via a router. Routers do exactly what their name states. They route information. A router in its simplest form would be the perfect mailman. Matching a letters address with an actual physical location, delivering it, picking up out-going mail and getting it to its correct address. Ports: If you have a router, it has ports. A port in its simplest form can be compared to a single water faucet. You open it and water flows, you close it and the water stops. If you open a port, information will flow, if you close it, it will stop. Firewalls: Most routers have firewalls and most operating systems have firewalls also. A firewall in its simplest form is a filter. It works very much like a port in that it can allow or prevent information transmission. It takes the open/close process of a port one step further and gives you the ability to filter it. It can block Internet or network addresses & trafic. The difference between the two is that a port is either opened or closed while a firewall has the ability to filter the information that comes through an opened port. Filtering out information you dont want and letting through the information you do want. Anti-virus: Anti-virus programs are one of the major causes of Internet gaming connection failure. Their role is to prevent application hijacking, software scripts and outside influences from writing unauthorized information to your computer and essentially taking it over. An anti-virus program in its simplest form is much like a flue shot. Anti-virus programs install an information database that looks for data likenesses as you serf the net, open programs, download files, etc. When it recognizes a likeness it has stored in its database, it refuses to let the information activate or pass through and has the ability to block transmissions, programs and actions based on the available information in its database. Much like a flue shot, this database includes samples of existing viruses to compare to the information flow and to intercept likenesses prior to execution.
The following network setup requires that you have a basic understanding of the above information. As we continue below, you will see these words referred to frequently.
The use of the word address below unless otherwise specified pertains only to Internal network addresses and has nothing to do with your External Internet address. Your router is the divider between Internal and External addressing
Topologies (networking) Dynamic DHCP addressing Most routers and computers are setup (by your Internet provider) with Dynamic DHCP addressing. How it works simplified - You turn on your computer; the router sees it and assigns an address to it. That address is used to send and receive all Internet & network information to and from your computer to its destination and back. Its a temporary address and will change when you shut down your computer and re-start it. Most routers have the ability to use UPNP to interface with games and other programs.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of networking protocols promulgated by the UPnP Forum. The goals of UPnP are to allow devices to connect seamlessly and to simplify the implementation of networks in the home (data sharing, communications, and entertainment)
I have found that MW4 is not necessarily one of them and UPNP most times needs to be turned off in the router even in the static addressing instance. The probability of getting MechWarrior4 running on the Internet using Dynamic addressing with or without UPNP is slim to none. Try it first, you may get lucky. Nothing more to see here, move along.
Static addressing Since your original Dynamic (DHCP) addressing scheme has kept you from connecting to MW4, (among many other programs) you will want to change to Static addressing. How it works simplified You choose an address for your computer & tell the router what that address is. When your computer is turned on it always has the same address. Now you will be able to open the ports needed for 2 way negotiations and communications to each individual computer as needed for many games and programs. The information here > http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/static-ipaddress.asp will help you change over to the internal STATIC addressing scheme. If you plan on having 2 or more computers in your home running the same games or programs at the same time, you will need to configure each computer as detailed in the how-to and give each one its own unique static IP address. Note! Choose addresses above the 100 range for your computer(s). Example > Computer A = 192.168.1.120 Computer B = 192.168.1.125 Computer C = 192.168.1.130 and so on. After you have setup static addressing on your router and computer(s), you will need to re-boot the router first and then the computers. Having re-booted your router/computer(s), you should check and make sure they all connect to the Internet. I suggest you write each computer(s) STATIC address on a small sticker and stick it to the case. It will assure quick ease of access to the computers address.

Ports Ports: MW4 requires (like many other programs) ports to be opened in your router for communication flow to and from the Internet to your computer. Ports must be opened in your routers port forwarding configuration page, and they must be forwarded (opened to) the address of the computer you wish to play on.
One of the best links for port forwarding is here > http://portforward.com/ Do not use the listed ports for MechWarrior 4 at that site. Use only the ports below. If you do a search on the Internet on How to Port forward (your router name), you will probably hit the jackpot and have the exact router adjustment procedure for your router.
The following is the list of ports that will need to be opened in your router to your computers network address to facilitate the required 2-way communication. To guarantee DirectPlay compatibility, the latest version of DirectX should be installed on the computers that are used by all players who participate in the game. The following TCP and UDP ports must be open on the firewall or proxy server: ****Using DirectX 7 or an earlier version (MW4 is DX7)**** Choose 1 Only Ports for Host configuration (Server) Initial TCP Connection 47624 Outbound 47624 Inbound Subsequent TCP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent TCP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent UDP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent UDP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 OR Ports for Client configuration only (Gamer) Subsequent TCP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent TCP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent UDP Inbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Subsequent UDP Outbound 2300-2400 2300-2400 Note! You CANNOT have the server port 47624 open to more than (1) computer. You can play on a server-configured machine.
Firewall & Anti-virus Anti-virus: You must make sure that any Anti-virus program you are using will not block MechWarrior4. To do this you must make an exception in your anti-virus program for the MechWarrior4 Mercenaries program. All anti-virus programs are different so you will need to look up your anti-virus software information and read how to make a program exception. Once an exception is made for MechWarrior4 Mercenaries, your anti-virus program will not block the game. Firewalls: If your computer is running a firewall, you must also make an exception for MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries within it. There are many firewalls and you will need to look the information up for your particular flavor or version. If you are running Windows Firewall in Windows XP, follow the information below. In Windows XP GO TO > Start, Control Panel, Windows Firewall. Click the exceptions tab, click Add Program, Click Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries. Click ok and done. See On-line setup/server info in the help files for info on connecting to servers. At this point you should be able to connect and play MechWarrior4 on the Internet. If you cant, go back and check all the adjustments you have made, fix possible mistakes and give it another try. (most likely youve missed something) Lastly: Mentioned above on page 2 is UPnP (universal plug and play). MechWarrior4 is NOT UPnP friendly and UPnP may cause MechWarrior4 NOT to connect and run. If your having problems after you have done all the above, go into your router and (disable) or turn off UPnP and give it another try. It just may do the trick. Questions or help needs should be directed to: Sunderjunkies here > http://www.sunderjunkies.com/ or MekTek here > http://www.mektek.net/forums/