configure linksys router

[lewy]

all is working fine with my cable and linksys router except for....when i try to host a game they cannot connect to my ip address...i have checked all the options on my linksys router and all seem fine but still no one can join any ideas....all was working fine untill i plugged in my cable router..

[NHH]

Hi Lewy,

When you host a game you are running a server session within the game. The game looks for incoming connections on a specific TCP port, when you setup a game server there is usually an option that allows you to pick what port to accept connections on, have a look at this and note down the port number.

Now the reason why players cannot connect to your game throught the router is because they trying to connect to that TCP port on your router and there's nothing running on your router that's going to accept the connection (i.e. your game server is on the PC not the router).
So what you need to do is setup port forwarding on the router. When you setup port forwarding (often shown as DMZ in router config pages) any incoming connections on a configured port which be automatically bounced to a configured IP address (i.e. your PC's IP address).
Many home routers now have preset DMZ settings for certain games & programs to make life easier.

If you've never had a look at your router config pages have a read of your manual or have a look HERE where I gave Barbera some tips on accessing her router's config.

Summary:

• Know what port your game is accepting connections on.
  
• Know your PC's IP address
  
• Setup port forwarding on your router, entering the game's incoming TCP port number and your PC's IP address.

That should be it.