**HELP**Alien Front Online - Lost Server connection - with DMZ and port forwarding

[Loic315]

Hi all ,

I am looking for help regarding how to connect Alien Front Online to the net in order to play.

I am playing Dreamcast online using the DreamPi method since 2 month, I play PSO V1, V2 , Quake 3 without any issues .

I received my copy of AFO yesterday and decided to give it a try I have been following the connection guide from Dreamcast Live https://dreamcastlive.net/connection-guide/ however without success .

Here a list of steps I have done :

1) First I tried the DMZ method ( See below screenshot )

- Check Dreamcast IP Adress by playing Quake 3 Arena : 192.168.1.98
- Enable DMZ in router setting - Set to Dreamcast Address 198.168.1.98

Result not working - Even with DMZ Enable to the Dreamcast IP nothing changes i keep losing connection to the server on AFO

2) Decided to go with the port forwarding method , On my router I think it is called "Virtual Servers", the only other options i have is "Port Triggering"( See below screenshot)

HEre the steps I took

- Disabled the DMZ Setting first
- Setting Up the port forwarding (Vitual Server)as per my screenshot below - Port UDP 7980 As per the guide

It didn't work neither, i ma not sure if my settings are fine though

As an observation ,when I was playing PSO online , I looked to my router connected devices and the Dreamcast wasn't visible there only the DreamPi with the address 192.168.1.86 .

Therefore I dont understand how any of the settings set above could have an effect when the DC is never detected as connected by the router.
The Dreamcast 192.168.1.98 address does appears in an other section of the router called IP and MAC Binding in the ARP List .

I am out of idea how to get that game to work and feel a bit discouraged by this issue.

I dont have experienced with IP stuff so if you have any idea how to get that to work i am ready to try

If you know any Discord groups where people could support I take as well

Thanks a lot for your help guys

[megavolt85]

after enabling DMZ did you reboot your router? most routers use DMZ after reboot.
are you sure that your ISP provides you with a white IP?

[Loic315]

Hi megavolt85
Thanks for your help
Yes i have rebooted the router after setting the DMZ on the DC IP Adress it didnt change anything
Regarding the white IP i dont know what it is ? How should I check my ISP provide one ?

Thanks again

[megavolt85]

compare IP in WAN info with IP detected on this site https://whatismyipaddress.com/

[Loic315]

I have got 2 differents addresses

In my router 100.111.164.144, on the website 109.42.115.144.

Whats the purpose of this white IP Address?

[megavolt85]

your provider does not provide you with a white IP, which means that access from the Internet to your PC is impossible

[Loic315]

Sorry i am confused ? I do have internet on all my devices - I am playing PSO online right now conencted to my router , writing this message as well on my laptop connected to my router

[Xiden]

I have got 2 differents addresses

In my router 100.111.164.144, on the website 109.42.115.144.

Whats the purpose of this white IP Address?

I believe by White IP he's referring to CGNAT. Basically what it means is your IP doesn't provide you with your own public IP address. Instead multiple people are sharing the same public IP. You have two options:

1. You'll need a VPN so that you have your own public IPv4 address that you can port forward to. Only downside is it will cost a monthly subscription to purchase a VPN.

2. A new service has been implemented DCNET (Doesn't have AFO yet). But DCNET is a great options for folks who have issues with port forwarding. Works with your existing Dreampi and pretty simple to setup but doesn't have AFO yet

Send a PM to Scrivani, he can help you set up either option

[Xiden]

Sorry i am confused ? I do have internet on all my devices - I am playing PSO online right now conencted to my router , writing this message as well on my laptop connected to my router

Who is your Internet Provider? I can verify if that is indeed the case for you. Unfortunately a lot of newer ISPs like starlink for example use CGNat

[Loic315]

Hi Xiden , thanks for your help
I am on Vodafone its a german provider
BUt I need to port forward to the Dreamcast IP address or ? Not the PC or laptop one ?