Gaming in Aberystwyth Uni Halls
-
Upload
keiran-russell -
Category
Documents
-
view
2.007 -
download
2
Transcript of Gaming in Aberystwyth Uni Halls
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
Gaming in Aberystwyth Uni Halls
With so many of you seemingly worried about how to get your gaming device online and playing games
on the dastardly Aberystwyth University firewall, I will walk you through what it is you need to do step by
step for each of the major platforms. If you have any issues with the tutorial, let me know via email at
A) i)Please take note of the following:
Port - a bridge that either allows or stops the connection to a certain aspect of any network. Ports can
come in two forms: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Each of
these are used for different functions, but each are important to their relevant port. The act of fully
opening up a port is called Port-Forwarding. Ports can controlled by the network administrator to allow
however much data that is being transferred over any port as they wish.
An example, Port 80 is used for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (or HTTP), which allows you access the
internet in web browsers for you to search the web. It does also allow the use of Peer-to-Peer (or P2P)
connections, which are generally associated with file sharing applications through torrenting, such as
BitTorrent, uTorrent and Limewire.
While HTTP is enabled after you have registered your MAC address, the Port prohibits use of file
sharing, and therefore torrents will NOT work on the Aberystwyth University network. Trying to bypass
this protocol either by a proxy or any other means will most likely get you in trouble with the IT guys,
and could lead to your connection being cut off, meaning no online at all. A full run down of ports which
are and are not allowed on the network can be found at the following link: University Firewall FAQs
Wii - To clarify, because of the need for all UDP ports to be open to allow access to the Nintendo
servers, the Wii unfortunately is NOT playable online. This will be explained a bit later.
LAN on the University Network - As your block in halls will be sharing the same IP address, we
understand that it is possible to play games over a LAN with other people in your block. I have no way of
testing this, but theoretically, it should be possible.
The IP address though is only shared with those on your floor though, so connecting to someone from
the block across or underneath you will not work because they will be assigned under a different IP
address, and you must be on the same IP for LAN play to be possible.
MAC Address Spoofing - For those with PC's that will be wanting to play on more than one gaming
platform (such as Steam, Origin/EA servers, Games for Windows and the Blizzard network), you may be
able to spoof your MAC address even with one network card. While it is not permitted on the university
network, it is possible to do so.
However, unless you are sure of how to do it, I would not recommend spoofing your MAC address. The
network firewall has just enough space for Steam's default ports with Starcraft 2, but not Steam and
World of Warcraft, so it's worth checking out and playing around with and mixing and matching ports for
the games you play most.
If you absolutely must have the extra port available though, then there are tutorials online. I will not be
offering a tutorial.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
ii) What you will come up against
There are a few things that you need to be aware of when looking to add port forwarding to your firewall:
If you are trying to obtain multiple IPs through any of the consoles/PC, which including looking
for certain servers through a browser (like Steam does for Valve games, or EA does for
Battlefield Bad Company 2), the network is not sophisticated enough to realise it's safe and will
think it's being attacked. When this happens, your connection will be blocked completely from
the network to the relevant MAC address for 30 minutes. You will have access again after those
minutes are up.
Your console will have a option showing you the MAC address in the system information. Once
able to connect direct to the network, you will be able to register up to 6 different MAC
addresses to the network. Your console's MAC address will need to be registered for it to allow
port forwarding to take place. Your network disk when you arrive will show you the page for
registering MAC addresses.
The firewall allows for the use of 20 'holes' in your network firewall. You are allowed either a
single port through one hole, or a combination of ten continuous ports for two holes (E.g. Ports
1-10). These will be more than enough for connectivity to the Xbox 360's and PS3's respective
online networks.
The firewall is only reset at about 8:25am every weekday morning. If you want a certain game
(mainly PC) available on the network for the weekend, it has to be done before 8:25am Friday
morning. It will then reset any changes made over the weekend on Monday morning.
The following link will allow you to add ports to the firewall is the following: Aber Firewall Login
After logging in, you will see a screen that shows your registered MAC addresses. Click on the
relevant MAC address, and you will be taken to a screen that looks a bit like this (minus the ports
open in the picture):
To add a port to be forwarded, simply pick the correct protocol, add the port number, and note
what it's for. After that, it will be ready to be unlocked.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
B) HOW TO CONNECT YOUR XBOX 360 TO THE NETWORK
PLEASE NOTE: The Xbox will not connect directly to the network via the Ethernet port. You must set
up a wireless ad-hoc network (or wired via an ethernet cable with two Wi-fi adaptors) with your laptop
that the Xbox will connect to. In order for you to do this, you will need a laptop or PC with a wi-fi
adaptor to broadcast the network. In order to set this up, you must do the following to your computer:
i) Setting up and AD-HOC network from your connection:
1. Open the control panel, and click on Network & Internet, and then on the Network and Sharing
Centre. It should look like this:
2. Click on 'Set up a new connection or network'. It should bring up a menu of options. From here, click
on 'Set up a wireless ad-hoc network':
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
3. Continue through the menus until you come to the set-up screen. Give it a name, and set it to be saved.
I would recommend keeping the authentication open to allow for the easiest access, but feel free to use
WPA2 and a password if you wish. Then click next:
The ad-hoc network should now be set up for when you want to connect your 360. It should be available
in the network button in the tool tray at the bottom right of the screen:
But to be able to use the internet and allow for access to Xbox Live, you must first enable ICS (Internet
Connection Sharing), register your 360's MAC address to the university network, and open the ports
needed for Xbox Live to play.
To enable ICS, with the connection you are using for the network:
1) Open up the 'Network and Sharing Centre' from the control panel, and click on 'Change Adaptor
Settings'.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
2) With the connection to the university network, right click on it and click 'Properties' (you may have to
run it through a user with admin access to see it).
3) From the Properties, click on the 'Sharing' tab, and tick the top box to enable ICS. I would recommend
unticking the second box to ensure you have control over the ICS.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
ICS should now be enabled! Now, you must configue your Xbox 360 to allow play on the network.
ii)Finding your Xbox 360's MAC address
1. On your Xbox Dashboard, click on 'System Settings', and then 'Network Settings'. It should then
should you a list of available connections. If you have set your computer up right to allow an ad-hoc
network, you will see an option of the network you have set up.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
2. Click on the correct connection, and you should have some configure and testing options. Click
'Configure Network', and go to the 'Additional Settings' tab.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
3. From the additional settings tab, Go to 'Advanced Settings'. From here, it will show you the MAC
default.
4. Once you have your MAC address, you need to register it to the university network. You can do so
through this link: LINK
5. Connect to the network on your 360 set-up through your laptop!
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
iii) Please note that if you haven't already arrived at the university, the link above may not work until
connected to the network in your halls of residence. I have been able to log onto it though off premises,
so you may be able to do it from home before making the journey, using your home internet connections
on your 360.
Once registered to the server, you must unlock the ports needed for Live. For this, go to the following
link: Aber Firewall Login
Then, on the MAC address of your 360, you must unlock the following ports:
UDP: 88
UDP & TCP: 3074, 53, 1863(For use of Video Kinect)
NOTE: Because Live uses port 80, it is advised to use the auto-connect feature on games that have it
available. Trying to connect to a specific server will likely cause a 30 minute network block. Joining other
friends or playing through previous/other players profiles is an alternative.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
C) HOW TO CONNECT YOUR PLAYSTATION 3 TO THE
NETWORK
PLEASE NOTE: The university has a global ban on port 80, the main port that allows connections to
P2P networks and is the primary port for online gaming on the Playstation 3. This means that you will be
unlikely to be able to play your games online. I have not tested games that allow for dedicated servers,
such as MAG (Massive Action Game), but I believe you will have the same results. You will also need a
second network card on your PC/laptop to allow the connection from your PS3 to the university
network. I understand it will connect via a wireless set up, like Live, which will be explained later.
i) FOR DOUBLE WIRED CONNECTION
The set up would need to look something like this:
You would also need to ensure that the MAC addresses for both network cards are registered for this to
work.
ii) Finding your MAC address -
1. Go to the 'Settings' tab, and then 'System Settings'.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
2. Scroll Down and press 'System Information'.
3. From there, it should give you the system information, including the console's MAC address. Take that
information and add it to the registration for MAC addresses. It should now be certified by the network.
Once your MAC address is registered to the network, you must open the following ports for the PS3 to
connect to the network:
TCP: 80 (this stops online play), 443 & 5223
UDP: 3478 & 3479
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
iii) Logging in
1. Go to your Setting Tab, and scroll to the 'Network Settings'.
2. Go to the 'Internet Connection Settings', and select the setting method 'Custom'.
3. Click for a 'Wired Connection', and 'Manual Settings', and 'Auto-Detect' for Speed and Duplex.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
4. For IP Address Setting, choose 'PPPoE'. This is because the network needs to verify that it's your user
acoount (and therefore the MAC address registered to you) that the console is trying to play through.
When prompted, you must enter your Aber Uni username and Password.
5. Choose 'Automatic' for DNS setting & MTU, 'Do Not Use' for Proxy Server, and 'Enable' for UPnP.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
6. You will be taken to a summary screen and asked to test the connection. If everything has been done
correctly, you should get a connection to the Playstation.
iv) I have not tested this set up. If preparations are correct, and it does not, work, go through with
automatic settings after it finds the wired connection from an auto-detect (in step 3).
I understand you can also set up the same set-up as for Xbox Live through your wireless, but I tried this
last year and had no fortune with it. For setting up the wireless connection, follow step i) in section B) of
this tutorial, and then in the network options, click 'Wireless' instead of 'Wired' for the connection type,
and scan from you Playstation to find your Ad-hoc network set up through your computer.
Remember! You are unable to play online through your Playstation however, but you will be able to
update games, and browse the Playstation Network as usual. You may also have access to features with
dedicated servers (such as Playstation Home), but I cannot guarantee this.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
D) HOW TO CONNECT YOUR PC FOR ONLINE GAMING
i) Steam
Set up your firewall settings with this port hole configuration:
It needs a minimum of 16 ports to work, as seen above. For games that are not powered by Steam, you
may need additional ports to allow for those games to work online through Steam (as shown for Call of
Duty: Black Ops in the above picture).
Please note that bringing up a server browser in any Valve online games (such as Counter Strike and Day
of Defeat) will cause your connection to be locked out for 30 minutes. You can also only join servers
within the default Steam ports (I could only connect to between 27015 and 27035). If you wish to find
servers to play on, I suggest using Gametracker.com to find games. To connect, simply copy the IP for
that particular server, and use the following command in the console (bought up with the ` key, next to 1
on the keyboard): connect [Replace with IP address]
ii) Starcraft 2
To allow for online play of Starcraft 2, the following ports must be unlocked:
TCP & UDP: 6112
When bringing up the launcher, any attempts to update will result in a 30 minute network block UNLESS
you make sure that the launcher does not update via P2P. After doing this, the game will update fine, and
allow online play. This can be done by clicking the preferences/option button in the launcher and disable
the Peer to peer option in the network menu.
Written and researched by Sam O'Hara. Thanks to Liam Edwards for use of his Xbox.
iii)World of Warcraft
To allow for online play of World of Warcraft, the following ports must be unlocked:
TCP - 3724, 6112, 6113, 6114, and 4000
When bringing up the launcher, any attempts to update will result in a 30 minute network block UNLESS
you make sure that the launcher does not update via P2P. After doing this, the game will update fine, and
allow online play. This can be done by clicking the preferences/option button in the launcher and disable
the Peer to peer option in the network menu.
Ports for other Blizzard games can be found on Blizzard's Support Page. The set up is the same as the
two above.
iv) Battlefield Bad Company 2
This is slightly more tricky to allow for play. You cannot play this through Steam, as it requires too many
ports. A work around is getting your product key, downloading the Bad Company 2 client, and registering
your product key there. You must make sure that the ports for the servers you are wanting to play on are
open in order to not only show the option in the browser (which unlike other games, will not crash your
net connection), but play on them too. The ports forwarded in section A) ii) of this document allows for
a decent selection of servers and I can confirm does work.
Please be aware however that there are many people who have been unable to get the game working on
the network. If the configuration shown does not work, then experimenting with other ports, or using
Gametracker.com may help find some that do work.
Also, the list of ports needed for Battlefield 3 are not yet available at the time of writing this document.
Others:
Call of Duty: Black Ops - TCP & UDP: 3074
Defence of the Ancients - TCP: 6112
League of Legends - Not playable on the University network: [LINK - too many ports needed]
Heroes of Newerth - TBC (Not playable) - [SEE LINK]
Guild Wars - None!
List of ports needed for other games - LINK
And that should be that!
If you would like to know anything else about the network or setting up gaming, what other games are
playable on the network, or would like to request help to set up your 360/PS3/PC after the tutorial was
no good, please message me via Facebook, Twitter (@Spudeh), or via email on [email protected].
Happy Gaming and we hope to see you at freshers fayre!