Difference between revisions of "Connectivity"

Latest revision as of 23:22, 9 April 2016

DOSBox networking works in a client-server architecture, where one machine acts as a server and all the others connect to it as its clients. DOSBox emulates outdated protocols and actually routes them to Internet's own IP protocol (TCP/IP for serial/modem emulation and the even better UDP/IP for IPX emulation).

IPX emulation

First, enable IPX.

Start IPX server

Power on DOSBox on all the computers that you want to participate in the LAN games. One of these computers will have to act as a server. The rest will be clients.

On the server machine, execute the following command:

ipxnet startserver [UDP port]

See screenshot below:

UDP port is optional. Otherwise it defaults to 213 (the assigned IANA port for IPX tunnelling). If you want another port, for example, port 19900, type:

ipxnet startserver 19900

If you change the default, it's customary to choose something above 1024 as anything below is considered reserved. In Linux specifically, only root (or superuser) can use port numbers lower than 1024.

Whatever UDP port is chosen (including the default), it must be forwarded and open to the outside network if a server is hidden behind a router (NAT).

Start client(s)

On each one of the clients, run the following command to connect to the server:

ipxnet connect <IP> [UDP port]

For example:

ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100

See screenshot below:

Port is optional. The same rules apply as in #Start IPX server. For example:

ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100 19900

You now have the network running. You can confirm it by typing:

 IPXNET STATUS

If you want to check the speed and/or see the list of server and all clients, type:

 IPXNET PING

Start your game

If you're done, but want to remain in DOSBox, the clients can optionally use the following commands:

 IPXNET DISCONNECT

and only after all clients disconnect (or you'll risk locking them up), the server can type:

 IPXNET STOPSERVER

Modem emulation

First, define Configuration:SerialPort.

If you change the default TCP port, it's customary to choose something above 1024 as anything below is considered reserved. In Linux specifically, only root (or superuser) can use port numbers lower than 1024.

Whatever TCP port is chosen (including the default 5000), it must be forwarded and open to the outside network if a server is hidden behind a router (NAT).

The game's modem options

You must enter the game's modem options and:

Define the same COM number as you chose in DOSBox. If the game is hardcoded to a certain COM number, this must be the one you choose in DOSBox.
Choose the highest modem's speed the game allows.
^{For clients only} If there's an address book, you can define the server in advance. Actually, some games might refuse to call anyone that's not listed in advance in the address book.
The game's other modem options don't matter in DOSBox.

Exit the settings, enter the game itself and find the call/answer menu entry.

Emulating answering a call

Some games may want you to define an auto-answer command in advance, while others may want you to answer manually when the call comes in. Some may allow both modes.

In the first mode, the server should choose the "wait for calls" option in their game. If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATS0=1" (answer on first call).

In the second mode, the server should choose the "answer call" option when the game announces a call is coming in. If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATA".

Emulating making a call

The client should choose the "make a call" option in their game. Then supply the server's hostname or IP address.

If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATDT<IP>". For example, if the server is "hosty" <1.2.3.4>, type:

ATDT1.2.3.4

or "ATDT<HOST>". For example, in the case of "hosty":

ATDThosty

How to obtain a computer's IP address

If connecting to others on the Internet, search for your external IP address and make sure you forwarded the ports on your router to your computer.

If on a LAN (local network):

On GNU/Linux:

ifconfig

On Mac: Press Cmd-Space, type network, press enter, and select the connection. The IP address is to the right.

Windows

Go to "My Network Places"

Click on "View My Network Connections"

Right Click the Network that you are using and choose "Status", then, you will be able to obtain the computer's IP address in a local network.

Dedicated server

You may wish to run a public facing dedicated server, doing this will allow multiple clients (e.g. players behind NAT on their respective broadband connections) to connect outbound to your server and thus see each others games without needing to port forward.

Several implementations exist...

A Linux version by Michał Siejak (MasterM)

A Perl version by Alexander Clouter (diGriz)

A Java version by Ralf Grillenberger (H-A-L-9000)

A Windows version by Joe Petrie (CodeJunkie)

A Linux and Windows version by Hans Peter Anvin (hpa)

External links

dedoimedo.com (the original article plus screenshots from actual multiplayer games)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The below article is directed from a free resource which the link is stated at below line:
+DOSBox networking works in a client-server architecture, where one machine acts as a server and all the others connect to it as its clients. DOSBox emulates outdated protocols and actually routes them to Internet's own IP protocol (TCP/IP for serial/modem emulation and the even better UDP/IP for IPX emulation).
-http://www.dedoimedo.com/games/reviving/dosbox_multiplayer.html
-The name of the author was undisclose, however, speacial thanks to the original author for contributing this information.
+== IPX emulation ==
+First, [[Dosbox.conf#%5Bipx%5D|enable IPX]].
-== Enjoying multiplayer games on LAN in DOSBox - IPX ==
+=== Start IPX server ===
-By now, you have already discovered that I'm a bit of an old games fan. Using DOSBox is probably the simplest, most sensible way of enjoying your old favorites. But so far, I have only shown you the single player mode. DOSBox also allows you to setup multiplayer games.
-If you have more than one computer and would like to enjoy a session of Doom, Warcraft or any other 90s classic, then read on.
-This article will show you how to setup multiplayer games using IPX protocol. A follow-up article will demonstrate how to play even older games using direct serial connection.
-== DOSBox configuration ==
-First, we must enable IPX networking emulation.
-Find and open the '''dosbox.conf''' file (the configuration file for DOSBox); it should be located in the DOSBox directory.
-Inside the file, search for an entry labeled [ipx]. Below the explanation comment (marked with #), change the configuration line from ipx=false to ipx=true as shown in the screenshot below.
-[[Image:Dosbox_lan_01.jpg]]
-You might find it hard to believe, but this is ALL of the tampering with the configuration files you will need.
-Start IPX server
 Power on DOSBox on all the computers that you want to participate in the LAN games. One of these computers will have to act as a server. The rest will be clients.
 On the server machine, execute the following command:
-ipxnet startserver
+ ipxnet startserver [UDP port]
 See screenshot below:
+[[Image:dosbox_lan_02.png]]
+UDP port is optional. Otherwise it defaults to 213 (the assigned IANA port for IPX tunnelling). If you want another port, for example, port 19900, type:
+ ipxnet startserver 19900
+If you change the default, it's customary to choose something above 1024 as anything below is considered reserved. In Linux specifically, only root (or superuser) can use port numbers lower than 1024.
-Start client(s)
+Whatever UDP port is chosen (including the default), '''it must be forwarded and open to the outside network if a server is hidden behind a router (NAT)'''.
-On each one of the clients, run the following command to connect to the server:
-ipxnet connect IP
+=== Start client(s) ===
-Specifically, in my case:
-ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100
+On each one of the clients, run the following command to connect to the server:
-See screenshot below:
+ ipxnet connect <IP> [UDP port]
+For example:
-You now have the network running.
+ ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100
+See screenshot below:
-Start your games
+[[Image:dosbox_lan_03.png]]
-Yes, that's it! I have tested this setup on a network where both clients sit behind a router and run a personal firewall. Everything worked (and works) flawlessly. The one thing you may have to do is allow DOSBox network access in your firewall rules.
-So now, let's see some cool games.
+Port is optional. The same rules apply as in [[#Start IPX server]]. For example:
+ ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100 19900
+You now have the network running. You can confirm it by typing:
+  IPXNET STATUS
+If you want to check the speed and/or see the list of server and all clients, type:
+  IPXNET PING
-Doom 2
+'''Start your game'''
-The best FPS for dueling. For those not familiar with Doom 2 multiplayer, it needs to be setup outside the games, using the setup.exe utility.
+If you're done, but want to remain in DOSBox, the clients can optionally use the following commands:
+  IPXNET DISCONNECT
+and only after all clients disconnect (or you'll risk locking them up), the server can type:
+  IPXNET STOPSERVER
+== Modem emulation==
+First, define [[Configuration:SerialPort]].
-After the relevant parameters are set, the game will launch in the multiplayer mode.
+If you change the default TCP port, it's customary to choose something above 1024 as anything below is considered reserved. In Linux specifically, only root (or superuser) can use port numbers lower than 1024.
+Whatever TCP port is chosen (including the default 5000), '''it must be forwarded and open to the outside network if a server is hidden behind a router (NAT)'''.
+===The game's modem options===
+You must enter the game's modem options and:
+* Define the same COM number as you chose in DOSBox. If the game is hardcoded to a certain COM number, this must be the one you choose in DOSBox.
+* Choose the highest modem's speed the game allows.
+* <sup>''For [[#Emulating making a call|clients only]]''</sup> If there's an address book, you can define the server in advance. Actually, some games might refuse to call anyone that's not listed in advance in the address book.
+* The game's other modem options don't matter in DOSBox.
+Exit the settings, enter the game itself and find the call/answer menu entry.
-Warcraft
+====Emulating answering a call====
-Another classic. Again, the setup is simple and straightforward.
+Some games may want you to define an auto-answer command in advance, while others may want you to answer manually when the call comes in. Some may allow both modes.
+In the first mode, the server should choose the "wait for calls" option in their game. If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATS0=1" (answer on first call).
+In the second mode, the server should choose the "answer call" option when the game announces a call is coming in. If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATA".
+====Emulating making a call====
+The client should choose the "make a call" option in their game. Then supply the server's hostname or IP address.
+If the game wants you to type a manual command, use "ATDT<IP>". For example, if the server is "hosty" <1.2.3.4>, type:
+ ATDT1.2.3.4
+or "ATDT<HOST>". For example, in the case of "hosty":
+ ATDThosty
-After the connection is established, the server has the first move. Then, the other player has to confirm the choice.
+== How to obtain a computer's IP address==
+If connecting to others on the Internet, search for your [http://www.whatismyip.com/ external IP address] and make sure you forwarded the ports on your router to your computer.
+If on a LAN (local network):
+On GNU/Linux:
+ ifconfig
+On Mac: Press Cmd-Space, type network, press enter, and select the connection. The IP address is to the right.
-After both players have agreed on the game rules, the match begins. And here, we have a social meeting between some humans and orcs.
+===Windows===
-This is how it looks on the Orcs side:
+Go to "My Network Places"
+Click on "View My Network Connections"
+[[Image:Network_settings1.png]]
-And this is what the human player sees:
+Right Click the Network that you are using and choose "Status", then, you will be able to obtain the computer's IP address in a local network.
+[[Image:Network_settings2.png]]
+==Dedicated server==
-And the same applies for dozens of other games, Warcraft 2, Doom, Heretic, Hexen, Duke Nukem 3D, and others.
+You may wish to run a public facing dedicated server, doing this will allow multiple clients (e.g. players behind NAT on their respective broadband connections) to connect outbound to your server and thus see each others games without needing to port forward.
+Several implementations exist...
-Conclusion & future
+====A Linux version by Michał Siejak (MasterM)====
-That's about it. Configuring games using IPX network is extremely easy and works well. Configuring direct serial connection games will be a little harder. To make you better understand the importance of this task, here's a picture:
+* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p171180
+* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-a0PzCw1E
+* http://github.com/intangir/ipxnet
+====A Perl version by Alexander Clouter (diGriz)====
+* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p179078
+* http://github.com/steveschnepp/ipxserver
+====A Java version by Ralf Grillenberger (H-A-L-9000)====
+* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p171196
+* http://home.arcor.de/h-a-l-9000/tunnelserver.html
-What you see is the original, dust- and mold-eaten manual for the best simulator ever made: F-16 Combat Pilot, the original CGA version. The manual is 19 years old. This game will only run using direct serial connection, something I have not yet successfully accomplished. But I will.
+====A Windows version by Joe Petrie (CodeJunkie)====
+* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p185381
+* http://www.classicgamingarena.com/downloads
-I do not necessarily add delicious, digg and slashdot links to non-computer related article, but again, in this case, I must make an exception. Meanwhile, enjoy the multiplayer.
+====A Linux and Windows version by Hans Peter Anvin (hpa)====
+* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994&start=20#p209067
+* http://git.zytor.com/games/dosbox/ipxrelay.git/
-Cheers.
+==External links==
+* [http://www.dedoimedo.com/games/reviving/dosbox_multiplayer.html dedoimedo.com] (the original article plus screenshots from actual multiplayer games)