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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DGL-4500 => Topic started by: Arigas on January 05, 2011, 11:20:53 AM

Title: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 05, 2011, 11:20:53 AM
Problem: I can not keep a reliable connection, but only to the game when playing online.
Steps taken: I've powercycled router, modem laptop, tried multiple computers, multiple OS's, factory reset the router twice. Disconnected router and connected to the cable mode, worked fine with no issue, have tried cable and wifi with router.

Interesting info: After the last factory reset, I was able to play with no problem for 90 minutes. After setting up my wireless network (WPA2-AES), don't change anything else but SSID. Aside from the wifi info, the only other item I change is the MAC ID for the internet so I can get online.

Firmware: 1.15
Model: DGL-4500 A1
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: FurryNutz on January 05, 2011, 11:29:40 AM
What is your ISP service? DSL or Cable? Do you know if the ISP modem is a stand alone modem or does it have a internal router?

How are you connecting to the router, wired or wireless? What wireless mode are you using? I presume factory mixed mode default.

I would review the gaming and game fuel sticky for some good info there. Not sure if your game is PC or game console based? Not sure why you need to change the MAC ID to get online.

Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 05, 2011, 11:38:23 AM
What is your ISP service? DSL or Cable? Do you know if the ISP modem is a stand alone modem or does it have a internal router?

How are you connecting to the router, wired or wireless? What wireless mode are you using? I presume factory mixed mode default.

I would review the gaming and game fuel sticky for some good info there. Not sure if your game is PC or game console based? Not sure why you need to change the MAC ID to get online.


My ISP is Rogers Cable, and the modem is a home networking modem that I bridged so its just sitting there like a modem should.

I normally connect to the router by wireless, however this issue is present when using wired as well. Normally I have the wireless on G/N mixed.

The game itself is for the PC, and I did look at the sticky, but it seemed like all it really did was port forward, which I did try with no real success.

I'm not sure if this will help any, but this has just basically started the last couple of days. I was able to play no problem, but it quickly degraded. As for the MAC address, I'm not sure, its just something I've always needed to do, and it will only work with my desktops mac address.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: FurryNutz on January 05, 2011, 11:45:44 AM
Has the game been updated with with updates recently? If it's happening over both connections, I might venture to say the issue might lie upstream from the router. Doe it happen if your PC is directly connected to the modem?

Wonder if the MAC addressing could be doing something. I have cable here and use a Motorola SB6120 using the gamefuel sticky info. I don't use any Mac Addressing.

You might call up or do some research on the game mfrs web site and see if anyone else reports this issue. Ask them too.

Take a look at your modem logs too, see if there is any issues there to be sure.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 05, 2011, 12:46:25 PM
Mac Address thing is normal. His ISP restricts his IP to devices they have on file so they can charge you more if your using multiple connections. Not many ISP in the US do it, so thats why your not familar with it. That is why most routers have mac cloning on by default though if you use the CD.

Try using one of the stickys to figure out how to create a DHCP reseveration for your PC and the set a gaming rule for 25565 for both TCP and UDP. Thats the default port of most servers. If your server your connecting to is different, change that. The port is the last number in the server address your using. IE  12.34.56.78:25565 . I would also look at the logs at around the 90min mark, that will tell us what the problem is and I can give more input. Go Minecraft! Long Live Notch!
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: FurryNutz on January 05, 2011, 01:05:15 PM
 ;) Got cha.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 05, 2011, 11:32:22 PM
I actually already tried doing port forwarding with no results at all, just forgot to mention it.

I've just changed the wireless settings back to default, no encryption, ssid of dlink, b/g/n mixed, and it works fine. I'm going to try changing the wireless settings one at a time and try it for 10-20 minutes each time, since it never lasts that long in a short term, if it works for that, it should work for longer times as well from past experience.l
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 05, 2011, 11:59:36 PM
If all your doing is changing your SSID and its happening, I wonder if your not connecting to your network, but someones elses after changing yours. But good idea, report back when you have the issue isolated.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 06, 2011, 12:02:45 AM
Theres only 2 or 3 networks in range of mine, and every time I connect I go right back to the firmware page, so thats certainly not happening lol.

So far I've changed the SSID with no noticeable problems, but after changing to Mixed G/N mode, I was having problems. I rebooted the router, worked fine. I'm starting to get worried that it might be somewhat random for the most part.

Edit: I'm not sure whats going on, but even after upgrading the firmware, using a wired connection, using port forwarding, yet still it does it....
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 06, 2011, 02:34:56 AM
Have you bypassed the router and waited a day or so? That would be the next step. It could be the servers or your internet connection itself. You have to remeber those servers are not the strongest in the world, many are simple home computers on crappy internet connections.

Also you may want to check the logs of the router. See what they say at the time of the issues.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 06, 2011, 05:17:26 AM
If I could ensure everyone else access to the internet I would remove the router entirely, and the server isn't one that is just someones desktop. Its a server I actually pay monthly to have hosted. I could try bypassing the router for as long as someone doesn't complain, but theres no real regularity as to just how long that could be. I'll give it a try though, see how long it goes.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 06, 2011, 07:02:46 AM
This changes things. So I think we need to start over. Are you
1. Having problems connecting to the Minecraft Server (for saves and updates)
2. Having problems hosting, using the Minecraft Server application.
3. Having problems connecting to a Multplayer server?

For each of those, does the problem go away for a whole day if you bypass the router and connect direct to the modem? For 3, can other people connect to the server? Also what is the domain (don't need actual server IP) and port is the server?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 06, 2011, 08:18:50 AM
#3 is my problem, only when using the router currently lol

Edit: Was able to test for it for like 2-4hrs, no problem when bypassing the router. Setup similar settings as the xbox gaming/gamerfuel as well, just changed IP and ports to fit the mc server and my laptop, but that didn't make any difference.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 06, 2011, 07:45:48 PM
Ok, so were clear on what were  troubleshooting atleast. Questions

1. With the router in place, and you play Minecraft, can it reach the normal servers? For saves and such?
2. What company hosts your server? I don't need/want IP address or anything private (death to griefers) but I just want to research what port it uses and see if I cant find anything on the forums about it.
3. Do you have DHCP reseverations set up on the PC?
4. Can you ping the server with the router in place? Is it a IP or domain? If domain, can you ping the IP for that domain?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 06, 2011, 09:44:27 PM
Ok, so were clear on what were  troubleshooting atleast. Questions

1. With the router in place, and you play Minecraft, can it reach the normal servers? For saves and such?
2. What company hosts your server? I don't need/want IP address or anything private (death to griefers) but I just want to research what port it uses and see if I cant find anything on the forums about it.
3. Do you have DHCP reseverations set up on the PC?
4. Can you ping the server with the router in place? Is it a IP or domain? If domain, can you ping the IP for that domain?
1: If you mean the update servers, then yes, if you mean other SMP servers, I've tried a couple and it seemed to work
2: MyMCServ.com (Gotta love whitelist, keeps them away :D)
3: Yup
4: I can ping the server no problem (IP address)
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 06, 2011, 10:02:20 PM
Hmmm..well any support site  (http://www.mymcserv.com/billing/knowledgebase.php?action=displayarticle&id=9)that has spelling mistakes on it....::cringe::

Whats look at what they suggest under "Basic Config"

"If you dont know how to edit the config file then this will give a more easy and safe enviroment for you to setup your server. These may be changed if Notch updates the server. Things will change."

::sigh::

Do you know of any competitent support site that I can read up on how it works? This one is pathetic.

:;Edit:: I found this (http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=628&sid=ad61a6026a9fa83258b55dafa43dec97). I will read it tommorow. Really tired right now.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 06, 2011, 10:16:06 PM
Yup, no problem. Thanks for the help!

Edit: Just took a look at the logs on the router, noticed things like this popping up when ever I try to get onto the server.
"Blocked incoming TCP packet from 109.169.63.173:25565 to 173.32.215.197:61319 as PSH:ACK received but there is no active connection"

I've added the server IP (109.169.63.173) and port to the Inbound Filter and set the laptop to a DMZ. It seemed to work for a minute before kicking me off again. Only thing I can think of next, is basically going through and essentially adding each port that the log blocks from the server.

Edit2: Added 2 ports listed in the logs to the port forward entry, and so far so good, but we will see what happens
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 07, 2011, 09:05:12 PM
Yea, 25565 is the main port, and the link I sent you before is more for is your hosting the game off your own PC. When you do that, then you have to configure virtual server which is different. But your paying someone to host, so all you have to do is connect to that server just like you would connect to any server. I found this link too that breaks it down

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/Dlink/DGL-4500/Minecraft_Server.htm

Did you find other ports then 25565?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 08, 2011, 04:43:55 AM
Yea, I found 3 other ports in total so far, so I just added a range to the port forward which should cover the 3 and any others in the future. I can only guess the server uses different ports to communicate to different users, but I really haven't the faintest idea lol.

Edit: So, either I just got really lucky, or my bloody port forwarding has stopped working. I changed the ports to ranges of ports, yet now its back to losing connection -.- I've even added them as UDP and updated the range in Gamerfuel to match the same range in Gaming.

Edit2: This is what I'm getting in my logs, every time I get disconnected. Each port has now shown up within the ranges I've set for port forwarding "Blocked incoming TCP packet from 109.169.63.173:25565 to 173.32.215.197:54851 as ACK received but there is no active connection"
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 08, 2011, 07:28:32 AM
Well then you want to set the packet type to both TCP and UDP. The server may be switching packet type based on traffic. Also check your firewall, I have my UDP set to Endpoint Independent and my TCP set to Address Restricted. Remeber port forwarding just directs past NAT, not the firewall. Also there is something to do with the ACK thing..trying to remeber..there is some setting that helps with that. I will dig through the forums. Also, you could try opening a ticket with youer server host. Not sure why there are other ports involved, and it would be good to have a actual list.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 08, 2011, 07:33:31 AM
Also, are other people having problems with the server? As in can they connect? Also, can you connect to other servers?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 08, 2011, 07:34:55 AM
Doesn't seem like others have this problem, and when I tried other servers, it seemed as stable as my connection to my server is when it works.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 08, 2011, 08:19:17 PM
So you can connect to other servers fine, and you can connect to your server fine, but sometimes it kicks out? That makes me think

A. Your server is having a issue sometime, making it cut out.
B. There is something different with your server then other servers. And thats where the ticket comes in with the company you pay. You need to know if there is some sort of security they enable or specail port.

Also, just to be clear, the game files are local, but you still had to upload some sort of client to the server right? Has that been configured? If so how? This really should be alot easier then this, so I think were missing some crucial info,.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 09, 2011, 05:08:07 AM
So you can connect to other servers fine, and you can connect to your server fine, but sometimes it kicks out? That makes me think

A. Your server is having a issue sometime, making it cut out.
B. There is something different with your server then other servers. And thats where the ticket comes in with the company you pay. You need to know if there is some sort of security they enable or specail port.

Also, just to be clear, the game files are local, but you still had to upload some sort of client to the server right? Has that been configured? If so how? This really should be alot easier then this, so I think were missing some crucial info,.
According to them, I shouldn't need to use any port forwarding to connect, and they didn't mention anything special needed.

The server was all set up on their end, I didn't have to upload a single thing. All I did was edit some files after the fact, which was related directly to options like pvp, monsters spawning, etc. To my knowledge, there is no way for me to modify connection related things.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: HankRiker on January 09, 2011, 06:59:40 AM
Hello,

I agree, you shouldn't have to modify any settings on the router to connect to an external Minecraft server, I do it on occasion.

To host my own server, I added a port forward for port 25565 both UDP&TCP to point at the local IP of the machine hosting the server, nothing beyond that though...

Hope this helps,
Hank
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 20, 2011, 11:52:41 PM
Ok, figured something out about this issue. Turns out if there aren't any players on the server, there isn't a problem. If I try to join when players are there, then I get the issue popping up every time. Earlier in the day I was playing for hours with no issues. Tonight, there are some people online, and I can't get a stable connection for more than 30 seconds.
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: HankRiker on January 21, 2011, 04:04:28 PM
Ok, figured something out about this issue. Turns out if there aren't any players on the server, there isn't a problem. If I try to join when players are there, then I get the issue popping up every time. Earlier in the day I was playing for hours with no issues. Tonight, there are some people online, and I can't get a stable connection for more than 30 seconds.

While it may not be, this sounds like it might be an issue with the speed of the server or the upstream connection. I've seen both cause issues when trying to host things.

Are you running the server and client as well on your local PC? That might be too much for it, perhaps?

Or it might be something unrelated. Just throwing that out there...

Hope this helps,
Hank
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 21, 2011, 07:47:58 PM
No, I think he is just running the client from his PC. The server is running, well..on the server. Have you considered opening a ticket with the server company? I think that might be the next best step. If nothing else it will give us some info to work with. Also, are other people having a hard time connecting to the game when others are playing? It could be a firewall issue between your server and your ISP. Traffic back and forth from your PC and server is fine, but from players>server>your PC is being blocked. Which is where knowing the ports for that traffic come in. Do you play with friends or randoms? Could you invite one of them to this forum so we can get their input?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 22, 2011, 12:19:50 AM
Nope, no one else seems to be having issues. Also, was playing on another server fine for a bit, logged off for a few minutes, and then when I went back on, the issue started happening on that server as well, so I think its not just server specific, just lack of testing on my part  :-X
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Hard Harry on January 22, 2011, 06:46:27 AM
Well don't lose hope, we got your back. I will download Minecraft and test it on my router and see what I get. Havent played in a long time, so it should be fun. Know any good place to find open friendly servers?

What I am thinking is either there is a configuration issue with your router that were missing, or there is something wrong with your modem communicating with the router. We know you don't have the problem with the router out of the loop, so that rules out PC and ISP. We know others arent having the problem, that rules out client and server. So I cant see anything other then router issue or moden>router issue. I will reset to factory, get it working on my router, then send you my config file if you want. That will rule out configuration and narrow it down to hardware or some issue with the connection from modem>router.

BTW, what modem do you have?
Title: Re: Connection issues with Minecraft multiplayer
Post by: Arigas on January 22, 2011, 06:50:07 AM
109.169.63.173 is the server I currently run. I'm willing to bet yours works perfectly right off the bat lol. I got a DIR-855 running the 1.12EU firmware and its having the same issue as well, but I just recently bought this router.

Edit: I also know its not OS related, I just did a fresh install of Win7