Can't Connect More Than Two

Pfhreak · February 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">from the same place</div> I'm not looking for anyone to spend any amount of time trying to help me fix this problem, but if you've had it, or know someone who has, drop a message, and I'll be eternally grateful.

We have 7 computers in our house (we're a bunch of college students...) all networked and hooked up to a cable modem. Recently, we've been having problems connecting more than two computers to the same ns server. The first two people connect up just fine, but the third just sits there, automatically retrying, with no error message. The third can go and play on another server just fine, he just can't connect to the one we're on.

Any quick ideas? We've tested various things, including port forwarding, and playing with the ports of our HL games. No luck. We're getting close to tearing down our network and starting over.

Thanks,
Pfhreak

Dervish · February 2003

Only thing I can think of is that if multiple computers are using the same CD key you won't be able to join the same server together. 'CD key in use' errors and such. That's what we got in our house, with 3 computers... we just had to break down and buy a $10 bargain bin ver. of HL. Now everything works dandy; well, minus the occasionally crappy pings. :)

If you all have different HL keys tho... well, I dunno what to tell you. =/

eaglec · February 2003

I'm a network engineer by trade and this has me confused. Especially this bit about being able to connect to a second server no problem but not the same one that the other PC's are playing on, and the bit about no error message.
If you give me more information about your set up I'll give it some thought and might be able to suggest some tests to run. I take it you get the same oddness from all HL mods? What about other games? Does your modem go to a router or do you use ICS? Can you set logging options on the router (if you are using one).

Pfhreak · February 2003

Ok, heres the setup:

We have four computers upstairs, we'll call the C1 - C4. Downstairs we have 3 computers C5-C7.

They are distrobuted on switches and routers like so:

C1 C2 C3 C4
\ | | /
Switch 1
|
|
Router 1 ----- Cable Modem ----- Internet...
/ |
C7 |
Switch 2
/ |
C5 C6

(The posts here don't appear to like multiple spaces. C1-C4 are connected to switch 1, which is connected to the router. C7 and Switch 2 are also connected to the router (So is the modem.) C5-C6 are connected to switch 2.)

We believe the problem lies somewhere in the router. No 3 computers from anywhere in the house can connect to the same server. There is no error, it simply tries to reconnect 4 times then fails. We haven't tried other games online (having a large enough lan...) and the problem also exists with Counter-Strike.

It definately is not a cd key issue. We have keys for all the machines here. We updated the router firmware today, with no luck. The rotuer does not appear to be capable of logging. Hurray for belkin wireless routers....

Any tips you have would be most welcome... Thanks

Pfhreak

eaglec · February 2003

*Stumped*

The two connections to one server reminds me of the http protocol limit, (only alowed two connection at a time) as you have a single external IP it could be cable modem sets that rule for all connection types. It could also be your cable provider in the UK NTL normally lock the cable modem to only talk to one mac address to stop people using routers (tight ****)

If you have ssh or telnet access to something the other side of the modem you could try getting three computers to simulatiously connect and see if you get a timeout on the third. You could also try downloading a large file (like the ns client) from the same location from three pc's,

Just curious, can you connect C7 in place of the modem (on a different subnet so it has to route) and run a hl server from this, you should be able to eliminate the router by doing this.

b00z3r · February 2003

you have 7 peops....just run your own server... <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Pfhreak · February 2003

Here's the thing. We've played with at least 5 of us on a server about two months ago. Back then, Our configuration was slightly different, and we had a different router. (Not this PoS Belkin thing.) So, unless our cable provider decided to change things, it's probably the router.

I'll try that telnet thing today. Thats a good idea. I used to be a mudder *shudder* I should have thought of that.

Also, we may be able to do that with C7. I'll check it out soon.

Also, we lan game ALOT here. Much to the detriment of our schoolwork <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'> It'd just be nice to get the whole lan into another game. (And yes, all the computers are in their own rooms. No ghosting from us. Although... is it really possible to ghost in NS anyways? Bah, whatever.)

Thanks for all the tips guys... It may just boil down to getting a new router. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'>

I'll keep you posted with the telnet thing.

Thanks,
Pfhreak

Pfhreak · February 2003

You can connect as many people as you want to a telnet server. We had several computers connecting to the same server several times. Worked just fine.

Pfhreak

Can't Connect More Than Two

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