I am now supporting Hamachi. This is free software that allows you to create a secure virtual private network (VPN) that allow computers to be connected through the internet as if they were on the same network. This eliminates many of the router/firewall problems that occur when attempting to use the built-in internet interface and/or Hyperlobby.

First you need to download and install Hamachi:
http://www.hamachi.cc/

During installation, there is a very good tutorial that will help you get it installed and running correctly. After that, you need to join my network. A very simple process:

Step 1 Open Hamachi and click on the bottom left power button. After doing so, you should see something like this:



Step 2 Click on the Create or Join Networks button:
(it is the triangle button)



Step 3 Select Join Existing Network:



Step 4 Type in my network name and password (streakserver1 and streakserver1):



Step 5 Observe the people on the network and their names/addresses (you have successfully joined the virutal LAN):


Once you are on a Hamachi network, you can use the ingame LAN interface to detect and join games (no need to worry about IP addresses!). I am not sure how firewalls/routers/internet service providers affect this, but so far, I have had no problems having people join my network and Doghouse has joined by both the conventional Hyperlobby method and the Hamachi method to the same server.

Hamachi does have a limit. The free version only allows 16 people to join any single network. So I have to kick offline people out to let new people join. Right now I only have a few people who have joined, so that won't be a problem on my network until more people try it. The good news is that anyone can create their own Hamachi network and have up to 15 other people join it. So we need to form a chat group on MSN, Yahoo, AOL IM or whatever where unlimited numbers of people can meet, then create Hamachi networks as required to handle the number of people trying to play. To date, I have never seen more than 8 people online at one time which Hamachi already handles for free Smile

Last edited by streakeagle on Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

Sweet Uriah. I'll sort this out after work today. I'll use both (this and hyperlobby) and just see which way the wind blows

Hamachi is just a network, you still need a chat place, and voice comms. Both of the latter can be a TS server.

Here's how it worked for us:

We logged into Sydbod's server (which we do regularly), some were already there flying EAW.
Sydbod and I decided to try FE, so he started up his Hamachi network.
I started Hamachi and my PC found his. Effectively were were now on the same LAN.
I launched FE went to multiplayer-local area connection and hosted a co-op game, and set up the scenario (mission type, terrain and available aircraft in the four "slots").
I told him on TS that I was ready.
He launched FE went to multiplayer-local area connection and after FE went through its normal routine my game showed up.
He joined, and selected his aircraft.
Then I launched the game, and we had an enjoyable session.

Now, a completely different matter. After some discussion with the folks on Sydbod's server I contacted the person in charge of SimHQ. I pointed out the differences between what a user is allowed to do on Sydbod's server, (setting up rooms, bandwidth, text messaging others) and what they are allowed to do on the SimHQ TS server. I explained why we need these features on Sydbod's TS server, which is why why we currently use it and not the SimHQ one .
A most encouraging response came back immediately. I will let you know when there is further news.

Jel

I think a Hamachi Network for those of us down under would be a good idea as well.

Is Hamachi still free?

Has anyone tried emulating LAN multiplay via Leaf Networks?

Hamachi is still free and worked flawlessly when everyone had good internet speeds. It was simply amazing how well it worked. It could be a struggle to get through a router to Hyperlobby, then back through someone elses router without something being blocked somewhere. Some routers/firewalls just wouldn't play even with "correct" settings. I can't think of one time I couldn't host multiplayer via Hamachi once everyone got their games installed/patched/modded correctly. I haven't used it in years, but I just tried installing it in Windows 7. I haven't gamed with it, but it looks like it is working just fine.

Windows 7 had some issues with networking my older games (specifically Operation Flashpoint/Resistance). It didn't matter whether I was using the DirectPlay interface for the later custom network interface. Horrible ping times and dropouts over a gigabit hard-wired LAN. I looked up the issue on the internet and found that Windows 7 had some settings/registry entries that were less than optimal for LAN gaming trying to smooth out the information flow. Followed a couple of tips and "bang!" got back to 1 msec ping times between all of my Win 7 PCs running OFPGOTY like they did when they were XP machines. My point being, it would be hard for me to tell if Hamachi is working well if other people are using Win 7 and encounter the problems I did with OFP.

Over the internet, it was always difficult trouble-shooting connection issues. Was the problem with their PC software/hardware/drivers? Was it their router? Was it their ISP? Had I inadvertently changed something in my system when I wasn't hosting and forgot to put it back (i.e. port forwarding, firewalls, dhcp instead of fixed IP, etc.). This is why I loved Hamachi so much once someone got me to try it. All of those problems simply went away. Then the issue became getting past the file checker... Hosts and clients had to have nearly identical installs. I learned what files I could change, but the system was finicky even when both PCs had absolutely the same stock install/patch revision. The only solution was to un-install, purge the appropriate folders/registry entries, and re-install. But once you had everyone with Hamachi and able to get past the file checker... SFP1/WoV/WoE/WoI/FE were all great fun to play online if you didn't mind the repetitive nature of the limited choices between small random co-op missions and death match dogfights.