Difference between revisions of "Connectivity"

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The below article is directed from a free resource which the link is stated at below line:
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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 DOSBox emulates outdated protocols and actually routes them to Internet's own IP protocol (TCP/IP for serial/modem emulation and the even better UDP/IP for IPX emulation).
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http://www.dedoimedo.com/games/reviving/dosbox_multiplayer.html
 
  
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The name of the author was undisclose, however, speacial thanks to the original author for contributing this information.
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== IPX emulation ==
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First, [[Dosbox.conf#%5Bipx%5D|enable IPX]].
  
 +
=== Start IPX server ===
  
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== Enjoying multiplayer games on LAN in DOSBox - IPX ==
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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:
  
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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.
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ipxnet startserver [UDP port]
  
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See screenshot below:
  
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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.
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[[Image:dosbox_lan_02.png]]
  
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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.
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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.
  
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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)'''.
  
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== DOSBox Local Network configuration ==
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=== Start client(s) ===
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First, we must enable IPX networking emulation.
 
  
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Find and open the '''dosbox.conf''' file (the configuration file for DOSBox); it should be located in the DOSBox directory.
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On each one of the clients, run the following command to connect to the server:
  
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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.
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ipxnet connect <IP> [UDP port]
  
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[[Image:Dosbox_lan_01.jpg]]
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For example:
  
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You might find it hard to believe, but this is ALL of the tampering with the configuration files you will need.
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ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100
  
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See screenshot below:
  
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'''Start IPX server'''
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[[Image:dosbox_lan_03.png]]
  
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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.
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Port is optional. The same rules apply as in [[#Start IPX server]]. For example:
 +
ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100 19900
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You now have the network running. You can confirm it by typing:
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  IPXNET STATUS
 +
If you want to check the speed and/or see the list of server and all clients, type:
 +
  IPXNET PING
  
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On the server machine, execute the following command:
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'''Start your game'''
  
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ipxnet startserver
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If you're done, but want to remain in DOSBox, the clients can optionally use the following commands:
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  IPXNET DISCONNECT
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and only after all clients disconnect (or you'll risk locking them up), the server can type:
 +
  IPXNET STOPSERVER
  
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See screenshot below:
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== Modem emulation==
 +
First, define [[Configuration:SerialPort]].
  
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[[Image:dosbox_lan_02.png]]
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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)'''.
  
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'''Start client(s)'''  
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===The game's modem options===
 +
You must enter the game's modem options and:
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* 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.
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* <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.
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* The game's other modem options don't matter in DOSBox.
  
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On each one of the clients, run the following command to connect to the server:
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Exit the settings, enter the game itself and find the call/answer menu entry.
  
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ipxnet connect <IP >
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====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.
  
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Specifically, in my case:
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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).
  
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ipxnet connect 192.168.2.100
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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".
  
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See screenshot below:
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====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.
  
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[[Image:dosbox_lan_03.png]]
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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:
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ATDT1.2.3.4
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or "ATDT<HOST>". For example, in the case of "hosty":
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ATDThosty
  
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You now have the network running.
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== How to obtain a computer's IP address==
  
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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.
  
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'''Start your games'''
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If on a LAN (local network):
  
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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.
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On GNU/Linux:
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ifconfig
  
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== How to Obtain Computer's IP ==
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On Mac: Press Cmd-Space, type network, press enter, and select the connection. The IP address is to the right.
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There are many several ways to obtain a computer's IP address in a local network.
 
  
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Below are one of the common way:
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===Windows===
  
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Go to "My Network Place"
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Go to "My Network Places"
  
 
Click on "View My Network Connections"
 
Click on "View My Network Connections"
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[[Image:Network_settings1.png]]
 
[[Image:Network_settings1.png]]
  
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Right Click the Network that you are using. For exmaple:
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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.
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and choose "Status", then, you will be able to obtain the IP address
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[[Image:Network_settings2.png]]
 
[[Image:Network_settings2.png]]
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 +
==Dedicated server==
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 +
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)====
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* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p171180
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* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-a0PzCw1E
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* http://github.com/intangir/ipxnet
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====A Perl version by Alexander Clouter (diGriz)====
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* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p179078
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* http://github.com/steveschnepp/ipxserver
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====A Java version by Ralf Grillenberger (H-A-L-9000)====
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* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p171196
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* http://home.arcor.de/h-a-l-9000/tunnelserver.html
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 +
====A Windows version by Joe Petrie (CodeJunkie)====
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* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994#p185381
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* http://www.classicgamingarena.com/downloads
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====A Linux and Windows version by Hans Peter Anvin (hpa)====
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* http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=22994&start=20#p209067
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* http://git.zytor.com/games/dosbox/ipxrelay.git/
 +
 +
==External links==
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* [http://www.dedoimedo.com/games/reviving/dosbox_multiplayer.html dedoimedo.com] (the original article plus screenshots from actual multiplayer games)

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:

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.

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:

Dosbox lan 03.png

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"

Network settings1.png

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.

Network settings2.png

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)
Retrieved from "https://www.dosbox.com/wiki/index.php?title=Connectivity&oldid=134711"