How to start CnCNet5 without a internet connection for LAN/skirmish?

[spacedudescii]

Hi.

 

Is it possible to start CnCNet5 without a internet connection? The software just timeouts and closes without a active internet connection.

 

If you cannot do it then I suggest being able to start CnCNet5 without being online.

 

[Tore]

At the moment I don't think you can. You will have to start the game normally (without CnCNet) until a proper offline mode is added. I do think you can play skirmish with the -noupdate start up parameter though.

[spacedudescii]

Alright that sounds good.

 

Thanks

[FunkyFr3sh]

the old LAN lobby will work, start the game directly via ra95.exe and go to multiplayer/LAN

 

you can host an IRC server in your lan and use it for the new lobby, if you know how to set up an IRC server then send me a message and im gonna tell you how to connect with the new lobby to the server

[spacedudescii]

Okay, I actually only tired starting Tiberian Sun directly which just resulted in a black screen, but it's nice that you still can start RA1 directly.

 

If I set up an offline IRC server would CnCNet5 then start if it could connect to it? Am I correct in understanding you so, FunkyFr3sh?

[FunkyFr3sh]

the small online versions werent made for LAN play, you need to get a full version

 

yes, if you set an irc server up you will be able to play local games

[spacedudescii]

Yeah, I already have both versions but using CnCNet5 is preferable, even if just offline play. E.g. more options. Still, the full version is of course 100% playable and I don't mind using it.

 

I really don't want to bother you with helping me setting up such a solution if too much trouble, but otherwise I'd like the help.

 

If it is planned at some point to implement you being able to start CnCNet offline then I can wait. It's no rush, really.

[FunkyFr3sh]

i was thinking about adding a server but its too big and i dunno if it will work for everyone

just try to get an server up, if you can connect to it with an irc client then it should work for the game lobby too

 

[creosoted]

I too would like to play these games with CNCNet5 over LAN only.. Can you share how to do this with an IRC server?  I will get one setup on my

home network and look for your reply.

 

thanks,

[FunkyFr3sh]

add this to cncnet5.ini under [settings]

 

Server=<IP>

 

replace <IP> with the ip of your server

 

make sure you at least started cncnet5 once with an online connection ot get all the files, then copy the full red alert folder to the other pcs in your lan

 

start cncnet5.exe with -noupdate as parameter

 

always use the p2p fast connection option when you host a new game (connecting in LAN mode should also work instead of using online mode)

 

map sending wont work, but that shouldnt be a problem since everyone got the same game folder anyways

[Myg]

There is no point of a LAN mode with the cncnet5 client as long as the LAN is working for the game, perfectly as it is now.

[creosoted]

If a PC on the LAN doesn't have access to the Internet then CNCNet5 will not work, correct?  That is why the local IRC server is needed.

 

Is there a doc anywhere that explains all the network connections that take place when using CNCNet5?  I'm trying to find out what ports are

used outbound to the Internet, then what ports are used locally on the LAN pc's.  Once the game has started between 2 or more pc's on the same

LAN does the traffic flow directly between them or is some of it going out to the CNCNet server? 

 

thanks,

[FunkyFr3sh]

if you host an local server then it will work without internet connection without problems there is no need to open any ports in a LAN

 

if you enable the fast peer to peer mode when you host a game then it goes directly from one player to another without the use of an online tunnel server

[Nyerguds]

There is no point of a LAN mode with the cncnet5 client as long as the LAN is working for the game, perfectly as it is now.

I said that too at first, but the point is apparently in the extra game options CnCNet gives.