Making Your Server Public(with My Guide)

[kelker]

before you start
Remember to follow the guide ACCURATELY
Follow the guide step by step, the tests at the end of each step only work if done at the end of the step.
If you continue without doing the test at the right moment and do it later it won't help me to solve the problem
then it will become YOUR problem
it is always nice to read the FAQ


What you need:
I am assuming you have already set up the server. If not, read Spuddlethud's Windows Installation Guide and follow it. If it works you may skip "Step 1 - Is your server REALLY working?".
You need to know if you have a static IP address or if it changes from time to time.
If you are not sure, I think the only way is to check if after restarting your router the IP adress displayed here changes:
What's My IP Address? Your IP is 88.198.57.239 (someone has a better idea?)
If you are sure you have a Static IP address, then go to What's My IP Address? Your IP is 88.198.57.239 and write it down. (Your IP Address is...)
Create a free DynDNS account at:
Dynamic Network Services, Inc. -- DynDNS -- Welcome (if you prefer another place, like "noip" feel free to do it but don't ask me questions about it)
Your router needs to forward the ports needed by W*W and Mangos to your computer.
Check out PortForward.com, covers most routers and shows you how to map ports.
have a look round on the site above and work out how to map/forward ports for your router
then, if using the default ports:
map port 8085 using TCP to the PC running mangosd.exe
map port 3724 using TCP to the PC running realmd.exe

These Ports can also be edited in
mangosd.conf:
# Default WorldServerPort
WorldServerPort = 8085
realmd.comf:
# Default RealmServerPort
RealmServerPort = 3724

But I recommend leaving those default.
If you really need to change it, remember to change it in your MySQL database and in your client folder. (if you don't know what I am talking about, DONT CHANGE IT)
Attention: In some rare cases default ports need to be changed since some other application is blocking/using the default ports (REALLY rare, only try this when everything else doesn't work)

Step 1 - Is Your Server REALLY working?

Like I said before, I assume that you have already created your server (installed all files and so on).
Now we will test if your server is working properly:
Open your MySQL database
Open the database REALMD
In this database there should be a table called REALMLIST and there you can set your servers IP address.
Set your servers IP address to 127.0.0.1
Save
Then, also in the REALMD database there is a table called account, there you can add accounts.
create an account for you (please don't miss-spell your password or username, check it 10 times ) and SAVE.

Open the clients (W*W) folder of the same computer the server is installed and open the file called "realmlist.wtf" using notepad.
-There you will see:

CODE
set realmlist something.written.here.depending.on.your.client

-change it to:

CODE
set realmlist 127.0.0.1


Go to the folder your server is installed. Execute realmd.exe and mangosd.exe
Wait if both dos windows stay open.
If they don't stay open read the log files (normally "Realmd.log" and Server.log) and check the error messages and ask for help in the forum.
If they load and stay open, open the game client and try to join it.
Open the game client using "wow.exe", not "launcher.exe" since this little laucher likes to "fix" the clients realmlist.wtf file.
does it work? If it didn't, then STOP and go fix your server! (ask for help in the forum)


Step 2 - Creating your own DNS

-go to https://www.dyndns.com
-log in with your new account
-go to "my services"
-go to "Add Host Services"

now do "A" OR "B"

[A] if you have a static IP address:
go to Add Static DNS Host
create a DNS Host name and configure it with your ip adress given from What's My IP Address? Your IP is 88.198.57.239

[b] If you don't have a static IP
go to Add Dynamic DNS Host (this needs to be reconfigured every time your IP changes)
create a Dynamic DNS Host name and configure it with your CURRENT ip address given from What's My IP Address? Your IP is 88.198.57.239.

after doing either "A" or "B" you will have created a dns name like "test.ath.cx" or "new.dyndns.org", something like that.
This address is needed to apply my trick later, so don't leave it out. Always use it when the guide says so.
If you didn't, then STOP and tell me you got an error at Step 2 + an explanation

Testing if the DNS is working:
If you are also hosting a web page on the host pc you will also have forwarded port 80 to the host pc.
If you are able to access your web page using this proxy page then your DNS is pointing to the right IP and your port 80 is being forwarded (so if you forwarded all other ports the same way they should be working)

Step 3 - Applying the DNS to your Server

Now, open your MySQL database (remember, i assume your server is already installed and working)
Open the database REALMD
Then go to the table called REALMLIST and there change your servers IP address to your newly created DNS name. (don't add "www." or any other thing)

now edit the "realmlist.wtf" file in the client (W*W) folder of everyone (inside or outside your network) who wants to join the server to "set realmlist dns.name.you.created"
example:
if the DNS name you created was "test.dyndns.org", then change the content of the realmlist.wtf file (just open it with notepad) to:

CODE
set realmlist test.dyndns.org

Open the game client using "wow.exe", not "launcher.exe" since this little laucher likes to "fix" the clients realmlist.wtf file.
after this everyone that is NOT behind YOUR router should be able to connect,
If people from OUTSIDE your network STILL cant connect, then STOP and tell me you got an error at Step 3 + an explanation.

you and everyone else behind your router still cant because the router normally doesn't forward your connection back to an internal IP address.

Step 4:
so here is whats you do:
there is a file in the windows directory named "hosts", it is normally in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts, but you can simply search for it.
first do a backup of this file, so if you do something wrong you won't blame it all on me
then open it with notepad
you will see allot of explanation text and then a line looking like this:

CODE
127.0.0.1 localhost

don't change that! PLEASE! LEAVE IT!
under that line, write in the same way your host PCs LAN IP address (not the one from whatsmyip.com) and after that the DNS name you created. so, if your servers LAN IP is 10.0.1.12, it could look like this:

CODE
#There will be
#allot of lines starting with this symbol,
#explaining the file and so on.
#Then you should add your server name to make it look like this:
127.0.0.1 localhost
10.0.1.12 test.dyndns.org

left is your local area network IP address, and right is your newly created DNS name.
the spacing isn't important, you need at least one space between both.
test if you can connect.
Open the game client using "wow.exe", not "launcher.exe" since this little laucher likes to "fix" the clients realmlist.wtf file.

now you, as well as all other users that are NOT behind YOUR router should be able to connect. please check this, if NOT, then STOP and tell me you got an error at Step 4 + an explanation

Step 5 - Spreading the Solution
edit the hosts file the same way on every other computer located behind the same router as you in order to make them able to connect to your mangos server.
remember to edit them the same way, you can just copy one hosts file and use it on all computers, but please backup.

After this everyone should be able to connect.
Open the game client using "wow.exe", not "launcher.exe" since this little laucher likes to "fix" the clients realmlist.wtf file.

have fun!

[dracyr]

i have done all that, it stopped working at step 4 +, now at my computer it just says connecting, and in our other comp its at the chose server screen but when you chose one, it just comes popping up again, help

[jartsu]

I did those all steps! But its not working!
Do i have to change my realmlist.wtf file?
There readed 127.0.0.1 and i changed there this blabalbal.ath.cx.
Do i really need change that?

[Foxie]

Well im not using mongos and i dont see a realm d whats should i do.... Im using Antrix and my server works but not public. Also i followed a hamachi guide and i could sign in but my friends couldnt even with there Realmlist.wtf changed to my Ip and i made them a account could someone make a guide for antrix that will work ugh.... And i tryed using maNgos but the Sql File was messed up so i couldnt execute it..

[exiled1]

The reason your server stopped working is because you DO NOT PUT the 127.0.0.1 address in your realmlist database, you use the Dyns name or your WAP IP wich if you set up with Dyns should be the same. Also you might want to edit:

c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts.file

at the very bottom you should have this added

<your lan Ip> [tab] <your new dyns name>
example
14.32.145.21 myserver.new.cc

have any questions about this go here for more info:
Network Server Settings (Play over the net)

[AsianDomenation]

Yeah it stopped at 4+ i think
i did everything started up the server stuff and when i use WOW and open it up i try to log in with the account i made but it cant connect can i get some help with this??

[darktalan]

i followed that and my cousin cant connect he is stuck at the realm list and everytime he clicks ok it brings him right back to it

Help PLEASE

[muff3hkun]

I'm having the same problem as darktalan, I've followed every step exactly and everything. The only problem is is that i think the dns website has changed or something because it is different than what you said in the guide.

Thank you

[mattydcr]

how do you get your friends to connect

[DoGgY]

Could you do a Guide for Ascent should be great !

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by darktalan

i followed that and my cousin cant connect he is stuck at the realm list and everytime he clicks ok it brings him right back to it

Help PLEASE

make to realms, but have one be the IP of your INTERNAL (192.168.x.x)
that way ONLY you see it, and it stops the looping.

[tudorx]

wtf my server dont work is not public can u contact me at tudy_xx@yahoo.com please?

[Devilmaycry]

Try and add some colour and stuff to the guide so its not so clotured but other than that good guide

[hendricius]

Thanks a lot mate for writing this guide . You have all the main points mentioned. I like how you explain every step in a way that every user can understand it. Big thanks and reputation from me!

[neverseedeth]

hello your guild helped me a lot but the only thing now is that my sql i cant find the realmd file that i need to change so when i logon i connect no prob but theres no realm so if you can help me out my e-mail is mypally@live.com

thanks bro

[Daeki]

How does one make a server public if he connects straight through his Cable Modem(I don't have a LAN IP)?

[Cytheria]

Lol, please don't surface old forgotten posts.... this one is almost a year old so i don't think so that is of any importance anymore because all of its contents are so old that they are of no use anymore.

[Iris]

NIce guide dude followed everything, only thing for me is I can connect to wow and everything and so can every1 else they see my realm and the realm is online, but when we try to connect to the realm it wont let us...any ideas? Just keep kicking me and others back to the realm selection screen

[pizzarolls1205]

i got to step 4 tried to login and it says unable to connect to realm list server. wat do i do? =(