Running Fantasy Grounds while at College

[jasonthelamb]

So I'm off to College and I'm going to be living on campus - previously I was able to stay at my house, and therefore use my internet to DM. Now that I'm going to college, and on their internet - what are the chances that port 1802 will be open? I don't know their policy on opening ports, either.

My alternate idea is to buy a WiFi node and basically tether my data from my phone to my PC - does anyone know a good program to open a port on a cell phone?

So, I guess my big question is:

Is it still possible to keep DMing without forcing third party software like hamachi or Evolve onto my players?

[dulux-oz]

Hi jas,

When I started reading yu post I was going to suggest Hamachi as the solution to your issue, but you went on to suggest it yourself. Yes, I'd use Hamachi in your situation - damned or one of the others is a great with that type of things - he'll chime in soon, I'm sure :)

Cheers

[Trenloe]

You may not even be able to do the port forwarding on your tethered phone - plus you'll be using up your data plan.

Either way, you may end up having to use a VPN or Hamachi or similar. If you use a full VPN service provider, your players don't need to install anything - the GM runs communications through the VPN and the players connect to the VPN IP address. Some info here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?20160-Using-a-VPN-Service-Provider-to-get-around-port-forwarding-issues But you'll more than likely have to get a paid VPN service provider, for reliability, port access and decent bandwidth - the ones I use are around $40-$50 per year.

Or, use Hamachi: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?20309-GM-Connection-Issues-Tried-Everything-Try-Hamachi

[damned]

Ill chime in and back Trenloes comments :)
Hamachi is free but everyone has to use it. There are other similar services.
The VPN option - providing they give you a one-to-one ip address or allow PAT - means only you need to make a change.

And while you are at it - start a second group with your new roomies!

[jasonthelamb]

Hey - I guess my point was that I didn't want my players to have to install anything extra - can you give me some examples of a VPN service that would work?

Also - the group I moved in with plays D&D... it was part of my decision to move in with them :P

[Nylanfs]

That's how I'm planning on where my wife and I retire, course I should probably let her know...

[Trenloe]

can you give me some examples of a VPN service that would work?
I've used both of these successfully:
PureVPN - currently has a $2.08/month deal if you sign up for 2 years @ $49.99: https://www.purevpn.com/ There's a 7 day money back guarantee, so you can give it a go and get a refund if it doesn't work for you.
HMA: https://www.hidemyass.com/ They too sometimes have special deals, but nothing compared to the PureVPN deal currently.

Both of these have an application that you install on your computer, you run it to activate the VPN and then run FG - it will pick up your VPN IP address and so allow you to use the FG alias to give to your players. The Players don't need to install anything on their side.

[jasonthelamb]

So - all settled into my hotel and it's a moot point, port isn't blocked! But thank you for the advice trenloe, in case I ever go somewhere that my port is blocked.

[Trenloe]

So - all settled into my hotel and it's a moot point, port isn't blocked! But thank you for the advice trenloe, in case I ever go somewhere that my port is blocked.
Oh cool, they must have UPnP enabled on the router. You might have an issue if two people were trying to run FG as a DM in the same hotel at the same time.