Router With Aim And Games

[r3ik0]

Okay I'm using a LinkSys router, BEFSR series, and I have the latest firmware. I've tried opening ports, although not quite sure what I was doing.

I can't send receive files, direct connect, or send voice over AIM.
I can't run a gaming server with this router.

What do I do?? PLEASE HELP!!

[YeOldeStonecat]

For some services such as running a game server, you must open up ports and forward those to the LAN IP address of the computer on your network running the game server. You can look up on some websites specific to your game, such as planetunrealtournament.com....they'll often have an admin section, where with some looking around, you'll usually find "How To" guides on setting up your game behind a router.

You need to find out which ports your game uses, or other application. You don't want DMZ...which opens up every single port and makes your computer open to hackers. Rather, take the time to find out only the ports it needs. Good source for that is:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/app_port_list.htm

Also, Linksys's website has many good readups on running some specific game servers, and other applications such as AIM, ICQ, etc. Dig deep into the site, they are there.

[r3ik0]

I searched ALL OVER the linksys homepage, in every section, and I'm being literal. Then I went to that page and stuff. But I'm still in the dark about forwarding AIM or whatnot so I can Direct Connect and send files, and using a gameserver on port 20100.

PLEASE HELP, thanks for trying.

[Soporific]

I don't have a router myself, but me and a buddy were trying to get a quake game going in addition to Windows Messenger. For WM he had to forward multiple ports in the 6xxx range (if I remember right) in order for us to be able to chat and send files. I believe one port is required for each instance WM uses. i.e. 1 open port per sent file or chat session. I believe AIM would probably work in the same fashion.

A game server needs you to forward ports for each player you need to connect. i.e. Quake 3 uses port 27960 to connect and then reassigns that player to another port for gameplay. So in order to have 4 people connect you would have to forward ports 27960 - 27964 to whatever machine is hosting the game, in order for them all to connect on a separate port. Check out this page for specific game port info:

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/game-behind-router.asp

Good luck.

~S

[YeOldeStonecat]

There is good info on thier page, but to start, download the latest manual PDF from Linksys site, read the troubleshooting section, starting at page 35 or to, up to page 60.

Also:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/linksys_router_help_pg4.htm#applications