So, to get this straight...

[Frank K]

New to this, sorry for my ignorance. :-)

Have I understood this correct: If I myself purchase the Ultimate License, I can direct my players to the demo version, and that's all they need to be able to play (the set up and rules etc. are my headache in the GM client w/ Ultimate License)?

[Trenloe]

Welcome to the FG forums!

Yes, if you have an ultimate license, your players just need the demo version. They will be able to join your FG campaign and access the ruleset and data that you share with them.

[Frank K]

OK, thanks. I have just downloaded the demo version myself and I guess there are restrictions on some stuff there, but it is really necessary to open up all traffic on port 1802 in order to get things to work? I'm not sure I am able to do that, anyway.... I have no console for the router/modem, not to my knowledge at any rate...
Some things were actually easier some 10-15 years back.... :-)

[Nylanfs]

Actually this started about 15ish years ago for peer to peer gaming. :)

[Andraax]

Actually this started about 15ish years ago for peer to peer gaming. :)

I've been doing port forwards since the mid-'90s. It's needed for web servers and email servers as well (though most people don't run their own any more).

[Frank K]

That may be, but back then I had access to my router/modem console and could do it. :-)
I'll try and see what I can find that might help at my ISP.

[Nylanfs]

Ask in the Help forum and Damned should get you setup

[Beemanpat]

Not sure which version of FG your using Classic or Unity. I know Classic needs you to port forward I'm not sure about Unity. Could you let us know which your using and someone else will clarify Unity's need for port forwarding.

[Frank K]

FGC, I would presume (downloaded from Steam).

[calexus]

Worth going to create new campaign and clicking run test before starting with any port forwarding, I have a group of 5 of us, who aim to rotate DM, 2 of the group had to sort out port forwarding, the other 3 of us, the router managed to sort it all out with out having to touch any settings at all

[Frank K]

Ah yes, I did. It failed. But as I've said, I've only tried this in the demo product so far. It might be different in the licensed version, perhaps...?

[Beemanpat]

I don't think FG Unity is on steam yet. If you do an upgrade on steam I would only get a monthly subscription and once unity is on steam buy the ultimate.

I think even though your on a demo you can test the port forwarding. I had to get help myself on figuring out how to do that.

Edit: I see you said it failed. I had to get help from my son on how to configure port forward 1802. I'm sure someone on here will be along to help with that.

[LordEntrails]

Ah yes, I did. It failed. But as I've said, I've only tried this in the demo product so far. It might be different in the licensed version, perhaps...?
No, if the test connection fails on Demo it will fail with a license. Start with this post. If it doesn't help you get it running, then please post the answer to the 7 questions.
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?47051-Fantasy-Grounds-Connections-Explained

[Frank K]

Are you saying I have to purchase the Ultimate License again the FGU is released? I must admit I was under the impression that if I own the Ultimate License it's for life... including the FGU when it comes. That's misunderstood by me, then?

[Beemanpat]

They are separate. You would have to buy them separately. But whichever ultimate you buy yes you own for life

[Frank K]

OK, thanks. That changes things a bit. Will have to think this through then, and the tech stuff I need to save for later at any rate (have just finished a day's work supporting others with computer problems... "my brain hurts"). Thanks, guys. :-)

[Beemanpat]

No problem. That's why we're here and why I asked if it was classic or unity didnt want you get the wrong thing it's so close to being out hate to spend money twice. I dont when it's going to be on steam maybe someone else can answer that soon. Cheers have good day.

[LordEntrails]

Your existing ultimate license works just fine for the current released version of FG. Typically now called FGC. It will continue to work for as long as FGC is available. Just like if you had bought Office 97, you wouldn't expect it to upgrade to Office 2010 for free.

You do however get a discount when you buy a FGU license. Their is more information in the stickies of the Playtest forum and in the latest Kick Starter Update.

[Frank K]

OK, thanks for clarifying, and nice to know that I might get a discount for FGU when the time comes. I'll still have to sort out the tech problems though, before I dare purchase anything at all. Am I right to understand that not only do I have to set up forwarding to my PC's port 1802 on my router, but also accept all traffic on that port (or can I assign only certain machines to be able to connect)? I got the correct URL and credentials to log on to my router, but in order to set up forwarding I need to specify not only which port is the "destination port" (that's easy, 1802 on my PC device right?) but also the "source port".

[calexus]

https://portforward.com has really great guides. The even have one specifically for Fantasy Grounds, that's what I used when I needed to set up port forwarding https://portforward.com/fantasy-grounds/, that's the fantasy grounds specific guide and it'll guide you through exactly how to do it on your particular router

[Trenloe]

Am I right to understand that not only do I have to set up forwarding to my PC's port 1802 on my router, but also accept all traffic on that port (or can I assign only certain machines to be able to connect)?
That's the best way - otherwise you'll have to update for every one of your players IP addresses each time they want to connect.

To be honest - TCP traffic only on post 1802, being forwarded only to TCP port 1802 on your GM computer, which only uses FG to listen on that port, is minimal risk. Someone would have to know how to "hack" purely FG to be able to do anything with that - and the Fantasy Grounds application does not have any OS level functions available to it - so a hack of FG on TCP 1802 wouldn't be able to cause any damage to your computer.

This is the way it's been for over 15 years with over a million FG games being played during that period. Not once have I heard of any malicious attack on TCP port 1802.

[Frank K]

Thanks again. Be that as it may, I am unable to get this to work, still. What's most frustrating is that I'm not sure whether my mistake is in the Windows firewall setting, or the (admittedly minimal) changes I can make using the router web console. I suspect it's that "public port" thing on the router I can't get right. The console asks both for the "public port(s)" and "private port", and I really have no clue what to put in the former. Can't leave it blank, either.

[Trenloe]

Thanks again. Be that as it may, I am unable to get this to work, still. What's most frustrating is that I'm not sure whether my mistake is in the Windows firewall setting, or the (admittedly minimal) changes I can make using the router web console. I suspect it's that "public port" thing on the router I can't get right. The console asks both for the "public port(s)" and "private port", and I really have no clue what to put in the former. Can't leave it blank, either.
Public port and private port will be the same TCP 1802. If it requires a range, put in 1802-1802.

If you can't get the router to accept anything, please post a screenshot of the page.

[Frank K]

What settings do I need to change in the windows firewall? I tried to assign port 1802 to FG (demo) but it didn't help either.

And: do I have to restart both router and PC for every thing I change now, trying to get this to work?

[Trenloe]

32218
That looks OK, as far as it goes. Where do you specify in the port forwarding rule which IP address it will forward to?


What settings do I need to change in the windows firewall? I tried to assign port 1802 to FG (demo) but it didn't help either.

And: do I have to restart both router and PC for every thing I change now, trying to get this to work?
Create an inbound rule for TCP port 1802: Generic info here: https://www.blackbaud.com/files/support/infinityinstaller/content/installermaster/cofirewalls.htm

You may also need to allow the C:\Program Files (x86)\Fantasy Grounds\FantasyGrounds.exe application.

Also make sure that your network connection is set to private and not public.

[Frank K]

Alas, no luck still. I suspect that the antivirus software (also) might interfere here (Trend Micro) but I am as yet unable to find which settings that pertain to this. Both the antivirus as well as Windows itself states that outgoing connections use "default proxy settings" (whatever those might be), but I have no clue as to whether these apply for ingoing connections as well.

[Frank K]

That looks OK, as far as it goes. Where do you specify in the port forwarding rule which IP address it will forward to?

Nowhere - it doesn't ask for that.

EDIT: Ah, wait... I specify the device itself first (my PC), its IP is shown in the name of the device. And yes, it matches the internal IP in the FG application.
There's nowhere to check for/specify the external IP in my console (no place I am able to find, at any rate...)

[Frank K]

Of course this would have been easier if my ISP wanted to help me, but they stated quite clearly that they have no support concerning port forwarding and other "potentially dangerous ventures", so there's no help to be found there...

[damned]

Frank K if you are struggling with getting it working - you might wait a little longer and go the Unity route.
Unless you are in Covid-19 lockdown and need to game NOW.
If so - look at the Port Forward altternatives.

[Frank K]

Alright, seems that this is going nowhere anyway, unfortunately. I've looked at the Port Forward alternatives, but I don't think they were very helpful - and I am not installing any 3rd party "Network Utilities" from a company I have no knowledge about.

One final attempt then, before I give up. The attached picture shows the entire dialog box on the router console for setting up port forwards. Is there any yelling, obvious error here?

[damned]

Generally no you dont put anything in source.

To be fair one of the first links suggests you post the answers to seven questions. You may have posted them but I havent seen them. The answers to the questions often tell us if the Port Forwarding is even possible or not.

Also Hamachi (logmein) is a $4billion publicly traded company. They provide services to many fortune 500 companies.

[Frank K]

No, I hadn't - partly because I must admit I'm not sure what you're asking for in each step. I've tried now:
1. ...
2. ...
3. Wireless (for now, usually wired)
4. Windows at least claims that my network is set to Private, yes
5. Trend Micro, no exceptions I know of
6. Tracing route to dns.google [8.8.8.8]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 5 ms 2 ms 2 ms Eidsiva.lan [...]
2 3 ms 2 ms 4 ms ...
3 1 ms 2 ms 1 ms ...
4 3 ms 2 ms 3 ms 129.181.eidsiva.net [...]
5 6 ms 7 ms 5 ms eb-e-gw.bkkb.no [...]
6 6 ms 6 ms 5 ms ba-e-gw.bkkb.no [...]
7 6 ms 5 ms 5 ms 8-2-7.bear1.Oslo2.Level3.net [...]
8 * 15 ms 24 ms ae-24-3620.ear1.Stockholm1.Level3.net [...]
9 16 ms 12 ms 16 ms ...
10 14 ms 14 ms 17 ms ...
11 16 ms 13 ms 27 ms ...
12 12 ms 14 ms 14 ms dns.google [8.8.8.8]
7. The changes shown in screenshots previously

I hope I'm actually answering the questions you refer to... this is a field in which I do not have very much knowledge.

[damned]

Understood - this is something that is a PITA for many people when they need to manually set it up.

The second and third hops in your tracert are most likely the issue. These devices are very likely doing additional NAT.

Can you log on to your router and find its WAN/Public IP Address. Is it the same as what FG says it is?
If not you cannot Port Forward due to your ISP setup.
Check that for me first please.

[Frank K]

No, it seems not. My IPv4 address in the WAN section appears to be 100.***.**.***/**.
Fantasy Grounds External address shows as 82.***.**.*

OK, I'll try another product meanwhile, and see if FGU is possible for me when that time comes.