Impossible Creatures Multiplayer Beta - Firewall Troubleshooting Guide
The default configuration of many hardware firewalls, routers and other Network Address Translation (NAT) devices can prevent you from successfully hosting or joining IC Online games using the Impossible Creatures Multiplayer Beta. Problems with firewalls or routers often result in timeouts, long delays or hangs when attempting to host or join a game. The following information will help you configure your hardware or software firewall for Impossible Creatures.
HARDWARE FIREWALLS, ROUTERS, AND NAT
1. You should check with your hardware firewall or router manufacturer for the latest firmware for your device. Ideally the firmware should support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) with Gateway Extensions.
2. Use the configuration tools provided by your firewall or router manufacturer to open the following ports on your device:
- HTTP port 80
- UDP port 2300
- UDP port 2302
3. Firewalls and routers that support UPnP with Gateway Extensions can allow multiple computers to connect through the device to IC Online and successfully host and join games.
4. Firewalls and routers that do not support UPnP with Gateway Extensions can only allow a single computer to connect through the device to IC Online and successfully host and join games. Please check with your firewall or router manufacturer to determine if your device supports UPnP with Gateway Extensions.
Note that when using the Impossible Creatures Multiplayer Beta, you cannot join an IC Online game that has been hosted by a computer that is behind the same firewall as the client.
INTERNET CONNECTION SHARING
1. Computers running Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows ME with Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) can allow multiple computers to connect through ICS to IC Online and successfully host and join games. If you are having with multiple computers using IC Online through these ICS servers, ensure that the “Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection” option is enabled on the ICS server.
2. Computers running Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition with ICS can only allow a single computer to connect through ICS to IC Online and successfully host and join games.
3. More information about ICS settings is available at the following locations:
- Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306126
- Windows 2000 - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307311
- Windows ME and Windows 98 Second Edition - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q230112
SOFTWARE FIREWALLS
1. You should check with your software firewall manufacturer for the latest software updates or patches.
2. Ensure that Impossible Creatures is a trusted program for connecting to the Internet.
Submitted by Microsoft.