Port Forwarding Help for Starcraft

So I've tried this many times over the years, and have never actually gotten it working. Basically my starcraft game will run 2 players over battlenet with no problem at all. However, as soon as there is a 3rd player, it lags like hell. I've been told, and have read that the fix to this is port forwarding.

Now, I've gone through the steps to forward ports on multiple computers using my linksys router, but I never seem to get it working. I basically used the instructions found at portforward.com. And to give you an idea of exactly what I did, I'll run you through the steps I took this last time.


My router is a linksys WRT54G and I'm currently using a Gateway Laptop running vista 64-bit (with enough specs to run Crysis, let alone starcraft). The site told me to set up a static ip, so I went through the steps for that.

I used the ipconfig and got the values for the following things.
IP Adress (IPv4): 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: 24.197.97.137
DNS Server: 24.197.97.135

I then went through the next steps setting up the properties for Internet Protocol(TCP/IP). I used the following values.

Use the follinw IP Adress:
IP address: 192.168.1.102 (it said to use a different number for the last one)
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 (this was filled in automatically, but was correct)
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
Use the follwing DNS server addresses:
Preferred DNS server: 24.197.97.137
Alternate DNS server: 24.197.97.135

At this point my internet was still working, so I figured I did it right. So I moved onto the next step.

I entered in 192.168.1.1 into the adress bar and came up with a screen to enter in the password. I left the user name blank, and entered admin into the password bar. A linksys screen came up . For the sake of me not typing everything out on the screen, I'll post a few picks of what it currently looks like.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9130/linksys1b.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6968/linksys2.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4391/linksys3.jpg

I then went through the steps it told me to do. I dissabled the "Block Annonymous Internet Requests". and I entered in the information into the first line for the port forwarding using 192.168.102 for the IP adress.

Despite all of this, I still find that starcraft does not run well at all with 3 or more players total through battlenet. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

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All you need to is open port 6112 for Starcraft and that allows you to host games on Battle.net etc. You shouldn't need to open any ports at all for Battle.net even with the max amount of players. The last image you showed shows like you did the correct thing to open a port on your router as i use the same brand but a different model.

Thats the only port I messed with for Starcraft and Battle.net and I can host games with no lag at all etc with max players no problem. So, it might have to do something with your Internet connection too. I mean I host games all the time, you shouldnt be having any problems.

Also be careful with changing your IP address you said it said to change the last number, you shouldn't unless its for a different computer with a different IP address.

 

A good resource that handles a number of router specifics can be found over at www.portforward.com. Hope it helps.

 

Well, after using an IP checker, I've found that my 6112 port is actually open. I did the port forwarding correctly, however, I'm still receiving massive amounts of lag when there's more than 2 people (including myself). I've also opened up a number of other ports, both for other blizzard games, and ports such as 6111, 6113, ect. Yet I still finding no solution.

 

That is why I am of the opinion that it is not a port or router related issue. That it has something to do with your Internet connection. Opening ports won't magically improve your connection, all it does is allow data to flow through that port which can improve stability and/or speed a bit if a lot of information was going through it. However in this case there isn't since to connect and play on battle.net it is not required unless you want to host.

Also make sure you don't have any firewalls blocking anything as well but I don't think thats it either because you only get the problem when you have a certain amount of people meaning it seems like your connection can't handle it.

What operating system are you using? What ISP and type of Internet connection do you have? How many computers are on the network your trying to play on?

 

The lag happens no matter the conditions at my house. I'm currently have just the cable internet (charter communications). Every single other game I've played on my laptop, or any computer at my house for that matter has had no lag problem through the internet. I've played games from Battlefield 2, to Diablo 2, to Team Fortress 2, to America's Army, Counter Strike, Red Alert 2, Dawn of War 2, ect. I don't believe its a matter of my internet not being good enough to handle 3 people in starcraft. I'm pretty sure a 56k could handle that.

There are also 2 computers on my network, however, one of them is almost always off and is rarely used. So I doubt that's the problem either. I currently don't have any firewall on, however, I have tried it with a firewall on and having it allow starcraft. It also doesn't have anything to do with the fact that I'm running Vista-64 bit. I got the same exact lag on my dad's mac, and my old windows 98.

It simply makes no sense to me why out of all the online games I've played, just this one doesn't work.

 

It has to be something with your network and the way Starcrafts networking works then, it just doesn't like your setup. I say this because you said you get the same problem on your dads mac computer too so it isn't that computer and if other games will work perfectly fine on your network with the same load it isn't your Internet connections quality. You have also opened the port Starcraft uses successfully too it seems, so it isn't that.

I have a few other questions for you though, are you using a hard line or wireless connection for your computers? and what specs are the system your trying to run Starcraft on, is it the same computer as games like Dawn of War 2 and Team Fortress 2 specifily?

So, I don't know what to tell you then, your just gonna have to keep troubleshooting and trying things. If what all you are saying is correct there is no real reason it shouldn't be working.

 

Sounds like the classic case to which I wrote up a tutorial. Read it, and try to apply it to your router.

I don't see where you're coming from, Pancake. A wireless connection, if unstable, will disconnect altogether - that's not Owls' problem. It is nice to try and help someone, but it is even nicer if you take into account everything the person asking for help posted, and know at least a little in the subject.

 

Kuvasz, I know plenty on the subject trust me and all your tutorial shows is how to open ports which he has already tried and it hasn't worked.

Owls problem is that he is getting lots of lag when he is playing with more than 2 players in Starcraft on battle.net and he has already tried what your tutorial shows and he is not trying to host games.

Maybe you should try taking everything in account he has posted and not assume i know nothing of the subject when i fact i do just because of my questions. I have also seen where wireless connections don't disconnect altogether but get unstable due to interference from other electronics.

Also, your assuming i know nothing just because of that question? I didn't even say that was the problem all i asked was if he had hard-line or wireless connection.

I find it amusing that you come in here post a tutorial to how to configure a router which he already knows how to do and has tried and then claim I'm the one that has not knowledge on the subject or what his problems are.

 

This is the part which showed you don't know how SC hosting works, to which I made reference with the last sentence in my previous post. It was not nitpicking or trying to make you look bad - it was highlighting that you constantly posting here has a good chance of not helping Owls.

Wrong. Read his post again. Owls says he opened ports 6111-6113. If you knew about SC hosting (or read my tutorial) you'd know that that's not the range of ports SC hosting needs.

Secondly, again if you read my tutorial, you'd know that I wasn't proposing mere portforwarding.

Lastly, my tutorial isn't just on how to configure a router, but what to look for globally, and what ports SC needs. Please next time read the text you want to discuss.

 

Thats funny because I host games all the time on SC with JUST port 6112 open. According to you that is impossible because you require a specific range, when you don't.

And yes your tutorial is on to how to configure a router, "what ports SC need" is about configuring a router and so is "what to look for globally" all has to do with the routers configuration.

Also if you look on the OFFICAL Blizzard support page for Starcraft, the ports are just 6112, port 6112-6119 is for DIABLO, WARCRAFT 3 and WARCRAFT 2 Battle.net Edition and I quote for starcraft "StarCraft:


- Allow port 6112 TCP and UDP out and in"

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=21109&rhtml=true?rhtml=y

I'm sorry but it is you that is mis-informed, and stop claiming "I'm not reading the text" or don't know what I'm talking about, it is quite insulting especially when its you that has misinformation on how Starcrafts hosting "works"

 

It doesn't matter what the official pages write for two very simple reasons:
1. They have no means of testing all problems and possible solutions.
2. My problem of not being able to host a 3+ player game was solved with the steps in my tutorial.

 

Again, NO where did he say he is trying to host, he is just experiencing lag with more than 2 people in a game on battle.net.

And you didn't just say it doesn't matter what is said on the offical page did you? I'm sorry but programs are programmed to use certain ports and Blizzard said Starcraft uses 6112, MEANING opening other ports it does not use isn't gonna do anything unless you CHANGE the port the program is using.

Finally, it's not YOUR problem he is trying to solve, his setup is most likely very different and again he isn't even trying to host in the first place.

If you were knowledgeable on the subject like you claim, you would know all this.

 

You're right, he doesn't say if he's trying to host or not. I was just mislead by this:

Anyway, it's not my problem so you're saying I shouldn't try to help him solve it by pulling an analogy with my past exprience? And how is my act of doing this any different than you doing it in the post I quoted from above?

If anyone, you're not helping. Why do you even begin to enquire about his connection when he clearly states he can play a bunch of other games without any problems?

Finally, I've never played a game where portforwarding was required to join an online game, hence my assumption that he's trying to host one. Plus the quote at the start of this post.

And no, what official sites say does not matter. My case is the perfect example: I couldn't host, took the steps in my tutorial, now I can host. Simple as that.

 

Thats because the port Starcraft uses is one of the ports you opened in your tutorial.

I also explained I can host games as well with JUST port 6112 open so that is also a perfect example in how when developers say this is the ports their program uses they know what they are talking about lol.

I already explained to you why opening ports that the game doesn't use isn't gonna do anything and I ask all these questions because its normally what you do when you try to help someone troubleshoot their system, you need to know ALL of what they have in their setup. I have experience troubleshooting many systems successfully dude.

You seriously need to stop acting like your always 100% correct and that I know nothing on the subject because I'm pretty sure I do.

I'm not gonna keep try to explain this to someone as ignorant and arrogant as you so I'll do us all a favor and end here for you.

 

I don't think asking about his connection when he can use it with other games is a step in troubleshooting
And I don't think I'm 100% correct. However, it is unquestionable that my tutorial steps helped my case*. So I offered it to Owls to have a read and see if he tried application forwarding (no port in that expression...), which states "Special Application is used to run applications that require multiple connections.", which I do believe SC needs, hence my posting it. So, I have tried to help. You, on the other hand, stating things what port is needed (judging by Owls' posts he's sensible enough to have already checked that before posting, so useless info from you), don't help his case at all.

Why don't you try posting constructive things and prove what you keep on repeating instead of having a go at someone who actually made some effort in helping Owls?

*before you come with the "6112 is in the range so of course it solved the problem", no, I have tried single port forwarding (i.e., not application forwarding), and the problem remained.

 

Alright, kuvasz, the guide you posted was with a different router, however, I still tried to follow it. From what I could tell though, it was just showing how to port forward, which I already have done (I have the following ports open 6111-6120, 4000, and 3724). I also just tried something with Port Triggering since I saw a mention of that in your guide. I used the starcraft port, however still no fix with the lag.

I'm currently using a wireless internet using a linksys router. WRT54G. And there's really no need to argue here guys.

 

i feel your pain.

i have exactly the same problem, with a free isp supplied router. windows XP 2Mbps ADSL.

portchecker confirms that the correct ports are open.

just to clarify the problem:

- connect to battlenet is flawless
- pinging the servers/games list is flawless
- joining the games is flawless
- first sign of lag is the server lobby, sometimes maps will not download or download incredibly slowly
- if the match is a 1v1, the game will play as normal.
- if there are more than 2 players in the game, i'd suffer from extreme lag during the first 10-20 seconds of the match, then the game pauses and "waiting for players: [random player]" window pop's up. this scenario ends in me dropping from the game (i had a friend test this for me).


starcraft is the only multiplayer game with lag problems. on source games, diablo 2, battlefield 2, cod2, cod4, world of warcraft etc my net is very stable with almost no disconnecting or lag.

i've ordered a new router which should arrive in a few days time, i'll remember to update here if this fixes my starcraft malady.

 

update: new router fixed starcraft.


i configured the new router, went straight into starcraft battle.net. joined games, in the lobby i was still lagging - but i could see other people's latency (rather than the typical '2+ player lag' 2 green bars. still causing lag and still dropping with >2 players.

then i went onto the router settings and opened port 6112. tested it with portchecker.

at the first attempt i was able to join a game with 8 players, with very low latency. got completely owned because those 'fastest' maps are weird as hell, but at last it works!!!


this pretty much confirms my theory that it's a router problem. probably certain (not necessarily cheap) routers are not opening ports correctly. in fact, i recall reading a post from another forum, where someone noted that portchecker confirmed correct ports were open - but then closed when starcraft/battlenet were running.