How To:Networking with DOSBox

Overview

DOSBox provides the emulation layer for IPX/SPX networking. To enable it, please edit your dosbox.conf configuration file and set the ipx parameter value to true

[ipx]
ipx=true

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. This provides virtual IPX network routed over the TCP/IP protocol.

Server

To start acting as a server, issue the following command.

ipxnet startserver 19000

where 19000 is an example of a port available on a local machine. This port must be forwarded and open to the outside network if a server is hidden behind a router (NAT).

Clients

To connect to a server, type the following command.

ipxnet connect 123.456.789.023 19000

where 123.456.789.023 is the IP address of the server and 19000 is a port number on which the server listens to incoming client connections.

Once a connection has been established, you can start playing your game and connect using the in-game multiplayer functionality. For further information please refer to the IPX section of this wiki.