A product I can't use

[Kapkomm1]

Pardon me if I rant a little, but I'm really steamed right now with Verizon. I tried to get the DNS addresses to enable port forwarding. The tech support "specialist" on the other end of the line informs me that he cannot give me that information because I do not have a business account...and thus a static IP address. I tried to explain to him that the DNS server addresses are static, not dynamic as he claimed. He then said that the IP address that I can see in network settings (which is the same number as my router and thus not the "correct" number per the portforward site) is the correct IP address for my account.

At any road, it seems that Fantasy Grounds is a product I cannot use because of the stupidity of Verizon's tech support.

So, unless someone here lives in southern New England and has Verizon dsl service AND has the correct DNS addresses, this software just crashed and burned.

TIBTK :mad:

[Nickademus]

I found all the info I needed from ipconfig run from the command prompt. This post (https://portforward.com/networking/static-win7.htm) listed out what to look for Windows 7. If you have a different OS, select it here (https://portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm) and you should get the same info. For one piece of info, what you may be looking for, I found it in the router's software menu as described by this quote from that guide:

The first way is to log into your router's web interface, and look at your router's status page. On that page you should see an entry for DNS Servers, or Name Servers. Write down the ip adresses of your Name Servers.

[dulux-oz]

If you need a DNS server and the "tech" can't/won't give it to you, you can always use a public DNS server on the Internet. I use (in addition to my own DNS Server) the DNS Server located at 4.2.2.2

Having said that, what do you need the DNS Server IP Address for anyway? You don't need it for FG2 (host or client) and you shouldn't need a DNS Address for any port-forwarding?

[Griogre]

Before I say anything else, I do want you to know - regardless of your ISP - you can run FG through a free VPN like LogMeIn's Hamachi. https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/default.aspx

I'm not familiar with how Verizon has setup their network in New England though I have fios with them here on the West Coast. It does sound like the tech was confused and thought you wanted a static *external* IP address. Its also possible your router is like mine and my Verizon router DHCP server technically doesn't do static internal leases either - you can just give the local IP you want static an "eternal" lease, which is the same thing.

I've personally found Verizon tech support to be crap, other than their Fios division. I'd suggest you go over to PortForward.com and see if your router is one there. Note: Click through the ad where they try to sell you something - you don't need to buy anything on that site to use it.

[Trenloe]

I'll second what dulux-oz says - you don't need DNS to run Fantasy Grounds.

You do (only as a GM) have to do port forwarding on your internet side router to forward port 1802 to your internal (GM) PC address (usually 192.168.x.y), but this has nothing to do with DNS (Domain Name system).

What, exactly, is the issue you are having? Perhaps we can help... :)

[Kapkomm1]

First off, sorry for the rant...was a little annoyed.

Secondly, the necessity of DNS IP addresses was stated in the document I d/l'd from portforward.com. According to them if my default gateway, DNS server, and router all have the same address, then the router is acting as a proxy and if set a static address w/o setting static DNS server addresses as well. I'm a little confused by this, as iirc, having a static address on my side of the router shouldn't affect anything else. But, as I said, I was just following directions from portforward.com.

Anyways, thanks for all your input and your patience with TIBTK.

TIBTK

[Nickademus]

Unfortunately, this is a necessary frustration for running your own FG games. Kind of like earning your right to GM. Good luck on your rite of passage. XD

[JohnD]

Not sure how this is FG's "fault", but best of luck resolving.

After DMing NWN & NWN2 for 10 years, the vagaries of hosting are well known... you just need to solve it one time.

[Andraax]

You don't need a static address or a DNS entry. You just need to open port 1802 (if your router doesn't support UPnP - if it does, FG will open it automatically for you) and register an alias with the FG server. Then players use that server alias to log in. FG's server will record whatever your current IP address is when you start up the software and load your campaign and tell your current address to your player's computers automatically.

[Kapkomm1]

Well, I have the router doing port forwarding and nothing seems to be broken, so I guess that's OK. However, when I run a check from the load campaign screen, I get failure. I can connect using my internal IP from another PC, but can't seem to get outside traffic in. I have a feeling it's my DSL modem, and I need to be able to login to that to make changes. I have a sinking feeling that getting the password from Verizon is going to be like pulling hen's teeth. If someone wants to run a test session w/ me, just send me an email (pjladd01 at verizon dot net). I'm going to be out of the house for the rest of the afternoon and into early evening. So if someone wants to shoot for later tonite or sometime in the next few days...I'd like to check and see if I can connect to a game as well. ;)

TIBTK

EDIT: As of 1930 hours local time I have SUCCESS! I sometimes amaze myself! :)

[Andraax]

I'd be willing to help you test. Just let me know - send me a PM when you have some time.

[Nickademus]

Sounds very familiar. Might need to manually add Fantasy Grounds to your firewall as trusted.

As for the modem, try:
Username: admin
Password: password or password1