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How to set up public WoW Server
Posted by Reaper-X Feb 4 2008 5:23 pm
Because many people still having problem on setting up their own World of Warcraft server to be accessible by public, i’ve decided to rewrite the guide again (perhaps the previous guide on setting up wow server for lan party a little bit hard to understand for some people or probably because i didn’t write it clearly) … hopefully this new guide can help you on setting up your wow server to be accessible by public and more easier to understand despite my bad english language
So here goes the guide :
Requirements :
1. Know how to set up port forwarding (very important if you’re behind router or no one will be able to access your wow server no matter what you do) … but since every router has their own configuration page, i’d suggest you to read your router manual on how to configure it
btw i’m using Linksys AG241V2 and Aztech DSL600EU as seen on above image
2. Know how to configure firewall to allow connection on specific port, as a note Windows XP built-in Firewall is enabled by default (Windows Firewall) … btw if it’s for me i’m using Ghostwall as my personal firewall
3. DNS Name for your WoW server to make things easier and you can get it for free from Dyndns.com, no-ip.com, etc
4. Your friend to test whether it works or not :P
Let’s start the guide :
PART 1. Find your public IP Address
1. First you’ll need to go into whatismyip.com to get your public ip address (public ip address is ip address that is broadcasted while you were browsing / doing any internet activity)
PART 2. Get a DNS Name
2. Now you’ll need to pay a visit to various dynamic dns service to get your free name, but since it’ll be very long if i write the detailed process here, so i’ll leave that to you to decide what your dns name going to be, and in this example i’m going to call the wow server, mycoolwowserver.com
PART 3. Using Reaper Mangos to configure realmd
3. For the third steps you just need to run the reaper-x-mangos inside the reaper-eazy-mangos directory and choose option 5 like below for an example
Now you can just simply ignore the message that is basically saying that you need to write your LAN IP Address (well … creating public server is against mangos terms of use) :P … and write your wowserver dns name that you get from Dynamic DNS Service (in this example i’m using mycoolwowserver.com which is a fake name of course) and followed by writing your desired Realm Name
(click the image to see the full size)
Now we’re done with the Mangos part but don’t start mangosd.exe and realmd.exe process yet, because we need to configure your router first
PART 4. Find your LAN IP Address and your Router IP Address
4. Now for this step, you’ll need to find what is your router ip address and your LAN IP Address that is connected to your router, this can be done by :
- Double clicking on your active connection status on Windows System Tray (the area near clock) or
- from Control Panel » Network Connection » and double clicking on your Ethernet Card listed there or
- Browse to any website and lookup your active connection status by typing netstat -n via the command prompt and look at the local address followed by typing netstat -rn
See example image below :
Now based from the above image, you can get your router ip address and your lan ip address that is connected to your router. And in this case the router ip address is 192.168.1.1 while the ethernet ip address is 192.168.1.2
PART 5. Set up Port Forwarding
5. After getting your router ip address now we need to open it’s configuration page by simply typing 192.168.1.1 at your address bar of your internet browser
Note: Screenshot were taken from my Linksys AG241V2 router (click the image to see full size)
The default port used by Realmd is 3724 while the default port for World is 8085, now … since we have that information … we can set up port forwarding by writing that value into your router configuration page at port forwarding section … and we’re done configuring our router … but wait …
Since every router have their own configuration page, i’d suggest you to look at your router manual on how to set up port forwarding on your router or you can also visit portforward.com if you need help on setting up port forwarding
PART 6. Configuring Windows Firewall
Although i’m not using Windows Firewall as stated before at the requirements section, i’ve decided to write a guide on how to configure your windows firewall to allow connection to your computer for your World of Warcraft server purpose … because … most people seems to not have installed 3rd party firewall and i’m thinking probably they still use Windows Firewall … but let’s get back to the topic shall we ? :)
Note: This is based from Windows XP SP2, and i can’t remember if there’s configuration like below on Windows XP SP1 or below because of the same reason i stated before
6. Now you need to go into Control Panel » Windows Firewall and make sure that Don’t allow exceptions is unchecked
Then you’ll need to open the Exceptions tab, and then click on Add Port and add value as shown below and click OK
and then click on Add Port again and this time write below value
And then Click OK and then Click OK again to leave the Windows Firewall Configuration Window, and we’re done configuring Windows Firewall :)
If you’re using other Firewall, then you’ll need to configure it as shown above
PART 7. Port Scanning
Now we need to use online port scanner to test whether the port is accessible from the internet or not, and we can do this by using uTorrent Port Scanner (simple but useful) and the steps to do these are :
1. Start Realmd.exe and Mangosd.exe process (do not run WoW.exe yet, or in other words don’t run world of warcraft yet)
2. Go to below url to scan your pc :
3. See if you get message that is saying your port is open or not (you’ll get two results)
4. If you get the above message that means you’ve finished creating your own wow server to be accessible from the internet … Congrats! … but wait there’s still one more step for you to do ;)
PART 8. Editing Windows HOSTS File
Now you need to edit your Windows HOSTS file located at C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts and add below line after everything else (do not replace any value there)
192.168.1.2 mycoolwowserver.com
or in this format :
lanipaddress dnsname
and that’s it you’re finished (seriously) :D
I’m still having problem even after doing all of the above steps!
Usually if you still having problem probably that’s because :
- You didn’t set up port forwarding properly
- You didn’t configure your firewall properly
- The default realmd port (3724) conflict with Blizzard Updater (Blizzard Updater use P2P to transfer update data by default unless you disable it to let it only update from HTTP Protocol on Blizzard server) or conflict with other program
For most people it seems number 3 is the source of their problem, so try doing these :
1. Open Realmd.conf and search for 3724 and then replace it with another value (above 10000 to be safe) and then continue setting up port forwarding, etc (from Step number 5 in this guide until finish) for the new port value
2. Then open realmlist.wtf file on your World of Warcraft Directory and change the realmlist to use the new port (if you’re not using default port then you’ll need to write the port used by your realmd process too or else your friend or you won’t be able to connect to your own server)
here’s an example of what the realmlist.wtf file should look like if you changed your realmd port from it’s default value :
set realmlist mycoolwowserver:9999
at the above example the realmd port is set to 9999, if you use another value then make sure to use that value instead
That’s it hopefully this new guide can help you on setting up your own World of Warcraft Server for … erm LAN Party :P and i didn’t miss anything
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Connect with me
Hey all, I am making my server available online so my friends can connect. When I try to connnect to my server, it says “Unable to connect to realm list server.” Does anyone know how to fix this?
Is it possible to create a public server over a non-internet network?
Thank you, and sorry if this question has already been posted and/or answered.
Hey man I’ll try it out. Thanks alot, Ill get on X-Fire soon, and try to contact you ^.^ I didnt think someone would reply :D
# Hey people
check on the menu for your router and see if there is an advanced option talux. this gave a whole new menu on mine with forwarding.
u also have to be running mangosd.exe and realmd.exe for the ports to open.
on forwarding page, make sure you put in your ip extention (plz do not use the ip adrress used when surfing the internet, that goes on the dns name site thingy)
also if u use another port dont forget 2 change all files 2 it and add the port 2 the realmlist (eg mine is- set realmlist wazzeroth.isthebe.st:10666)
come on xfire for more info (my addy 4 xfire: thedarkangelofdeath) i happy 2 help and can explain better on there and i on often so just come on there.
hope i helped
Hey reaper, I recently tried to get a private server working, and it does, and I thank you for that. My problem however, pertains to making my server public. The process goes smoothly until I get to the checking port forwarding check. It says port 8085 and 3724 is not open on (Public IP Address) but I cannot forward this IP address as my router does not allow me to, only to change my Local IP address. My router is a Linksys WRT54GS. When I tried to get my friend to connect naturally it said “unable to connect.” This may be a stupid question, maybe cause I’m not that experienced in this type of thing, but help from anyone and everyone would be most helpful, thanks! :D
I’ve just tride with other ports and even that’s not working.
No matter what, I can’t open up ports 8085 and 3724. I’ve added the ports correctly to my linksys configuartion page, but when i go to use utorrent to see if it’s open, it says it’s closed. Please help.
ALright well i got it up and running and everythings working great i got about 6 friends playing, but for some reason it wont let me play! I changed the realmlist i was using to my Dyndns, my real ip, my lan ip, and 127.0.0.1 but nothings working. Any help?
Hey
I have problem to open the 3724 port, i can log in te my server but not to the realm plz help
Ok, I have got my server running on a Win2k3 box and it works quite happily. I can connect to it inside the network with no problem and I have configured my router correctly to forward connections from outside to the server machine.
Now I am trying to get my friend to connect but every time he is getting stuck at the “Connected” screen.
He has set his realmlist file to use my external IP, when I enable console logging level 3 (debug/full) I can see on the server he is connected, authenticated and the realm list is updating but on his machine it just gets stuck, only way out is escape which takes him back to the login screen.
I know the realm loop is common and I have tried everything I can think of to resolve it from tripple checking ports, ensuring the hosts file works, etc. But nothing I have tried allows him to connect.
Is there anything I have missed here that I could possibly be doing wrong?
hi guys, me and my friend just managed to set up a private server last week, everything was fine, few bugs and all but nothing big until today… patch day.
the server wont work with version 2.4 (march 25th).
is there any way that we can disable the blizzard upater so we can keep on playing version 2.3, or is there a way that we can run our server in 2.4?
thanks in advance. :)
Hi ive been working on getting my server up and running for awhile now, and I just want to know, if im using a router, do I have to setup my own dns name, can i not just use my ip address for people to log into the server? My ports are forwarded properly, but it just gives me logging into game server message, then nothing happens after that.
I have one question for all of you and hopefully someone might be able to help me out. I have my server running and all my friends can connect to it with no problems.
But if anybody internally within the network for example myself connects, its very laggy. I can connect and everything but my ping is over 2000. Even if nobody else is connected to the server just myself its still over 2000 ping. Has anybody else run into this problem or have any suggestions?
hey man everything is great altho when I connect to my Netgear* Router, it says athentication required, I called up my Internet service provider and they mentioned that they can not give me the password to it due to the fact that they can’t give that out, so…. what do I do, how come I cannot connect to my router like u said, if I get a linksys will I then be able to connect to it or what?
Hello,
I know this has been asked a million times but I have read all the replys and nothing has fixed my issues yet. I am running Windows Vista Premium , installed MySQL V5.0 ( It’s running fine) also running SQLyog to connect to MySQL. I have ran the batch file to set up Mangos5225 , yet no databases are created. I can tell this as after I exit, and run SQLyog there are no databases, no realmd, or mangos or anything. This is odd as during the batch file it stated 4 databases had been crated all under the default names.
When running mangosd.exe I just get the common error I have seen posted on here so many times
Could not connect to MySQL database at 127.0.0.1: Unknown database ‘realmd’
exact same issue if running mangosd.exe
Now I received no errors running the reaper-x-mangos.exe and also ran and installed everything as Admin but still it’s all pointing at the database never really being created. Can some one help me out on this?
so if i were to make this server, could i just change the dns host back to the blizzard one to get back onto the blizzard servers?
Hello everyone,
I am fairly new at this and still use Blizzard service to play WoW, however since stumbling onto some private WoW server on the net, I’ve been very interested in it, so downloaded the mangos pack and proceeded to install it.
It installed fluently with one exception. When I tried to extract the DBC, i would get an error saying it couldnt find the .dll file, which was clearly there with it. I chalked this up to another of Vistas quirks and found an already extracted DBC and used it and had a private server up in no time.
I know this seems lengthly, but I type all of this for one reason, and that is to insure people that it does in fact work when the directions are followed carefully and to the T.
Now onto my question. Is there any way to set up the server to run exclusively on the home network, completely independent of the internet and if so, i would appreciate some info on this if anyone has any. Thank you very much for your time (and patience, considering the length of this post) and mostly to ReaperX for being patient enough to take on something of this magnitude.
I was using the torrent test thingy
Also when I test my port forwarding i get error port 3724 does not appear to be open (same with 8085) and i did everything you said!
ok when i try to edit my realmd.conf using reaper-x mangos i keep getting this error
ERROR 1044 (42000) at line 1: Access denied for user ‘Colt45′@’Localhost’ to database ‘realmd’
any help?
@lucid
so when u change the realmlist on the other computers, it just doesnt work?
I’ve got everything set up to the point where my friends can remotely connect to my server, and I can connect from the host machine on my network. However, I am unable to connect from any other machine on my network, getting stuck at the “logging into game server” message. I see this is quite a common problem but I have yet to see a solution. How do I log into my server from my own network?
@sephy
I FIGURED IT OUT!
basically u have to go into SQL and right click on the table under ur mangos db that says game_event and then click empty table
that will fix it
u wont be able to have like darkmoon faire and stuff but ur server will run
have fun =)
thats odd
well maybe try re importing the database from the reaper folder to the mangos database in SQLyog and see if it fixes it
Yep it’s alway after “game event system”
:) everything else work fine.
whoops accidenally had cax for my namw its actually firane saying that =)
@sephy
so u only get the error after it loads
“game event system”
It does work! I have a private wow server running and so does a friend on mine.
Well, i’m from finland, so it’s finnish error but i translate to you as best i can
“mangosd.exe have noticed an error, and the program must be closed. we are sorry interruption.”
it’s normal windows error message what comes always when some program isn’t resbonding.
and there is just 2 choices, send report to microsoft staff, and dont send.
is there some way to fix this?
@Sephy
what exactly does the error say
i might have had this problem already
Hi! i’ve been following your instructions and now i have little problem.
I think everything else works fine, BUT, when i open up my mangos.exe i loads some stuff cratures, quest etc etc,
and than:
deleting expired bans..
calculate next daily quest reset time..
starting game event system..
windows error message appears, mangosd.exe have error, blaa blaa, so wha i should do? got any ideas?
can i use sql to fix this? i use mangos rev 5370 and UDB & mangos database.
please help, :)
Reaper
Hey thx 4 all ur help everone. I finally got the server up and running so my friends can connect over the internet. I owe it all to this guide and the people willing to help. Thx all again. If I can be any help to anyone email me at mikey_ny2002@yahoo.com
Reaper
I am a Mac user so most of your guide works as far as configuring the private server. My problem is that a can’t use your Reaper Mangos.exe to modify the files like you have in your guide when it comes to configuring the public server. I have created a DNS name, forwarded the ports and changed the realmlist file. Can you please help by telling me which files I need to modify and what changes need to be made. Do I just change all my 127.0.0.1’s to my DNS? Thanks for the help. I am using MANGOSx which I believe is compiled from Mangos core 5036.
hi,
I’m currently trying to put my server online but I have ran into several problems.
First of all
I can’t forward my 8085 port, when I do it exactly like in the guide it does not say my port 8085 is forwarded but it does forward 8086 and 8087, verry strange…
I also tested it and it is not forwarded.
Second:
I can not eddit my HOSTS fire from
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
I checked the map and there are several HOSTS files, dunno with one I have to eddit.
But annyways I tried them all and I can not save them after I have eddited them…
Is there anyone who has the same problem, or knows what I must do. can you please help me??
If anyone has a solution to my issue you can feel free to email me at mikey_ny2002@yahoo.com
I thank you very much reaper for you help but I am just still a little lost. Call me slow but I am still not sure what IP’s need to change. Here are the files I have which i think you are refering to that need to match. Maybe you could see the problem and tell me what to adjust. Oh yea I am trying to make this server public for my friends to play.
realmd.conf –
# MaNGOS realmd configuration file
ConfVersion=2007062001
# Database connection settings for the realm server.
# Default: hostname;port;username;password;database
# .;somenumber;username;password;database – use named pipes at Windows
# Named pipes: mySQL required adding “enable-named-pipe” to [mysqld] section my.ini
# .;/path/to/unix_socket;username;password;database – use Unix sockets at Unix/Linux
# Unix sockets: experimental, not tested
LoginDatabaseInfo = “127.0.0.1;3306;*****;********;***********”
# Logs directory setting.
# Important: Logs dir must exists, or all logs be disable
# Default: “” – no log directory prefix, if used log names isn’t absolute path then logs will be stored in current directory for run program.
LogsDir = “Logs”
# Settings for maximum database-ping interval (minutes between pings)
MaxPingTime = 30
# Default RealmServerPort
RealmServerPort = 3724
# realmd daemon PID file
# Default: “” – do not create PID file
# “./realmd.pid” – create PID file (recommended name)
PidFile = “./realmd.pid”
*********************************************
Realmlist.wtf -
set realmlist wowkings.dyndns.org
s et realmlist us.logon.worldofwarcraft.com
s et patchlist us.version.worldofwarcraft.com
(I put a space in the second and third lines to void them without deleting them)
now I used the dns name in the realmlist because I have a dynamic ip so if it changes I should still be able to connect. I try to put the dns in the realmd.config file instead of the 127.0.0.1 but that doesnt seem to work. I must be missing what you were trying to tell me in the previous post. Is there another file I should be checking at this point? Is the realmd.config file the one you were talking about when you said realm list table? I know you are right on how to fix the issue cause I am stuck in the realm loop but I just am not understanding what I should do at this point. I am sorry this post is so long but wanted you to see the files. Thx in advance again for your help.
oh ok i see what u mean reaper
yea the opening ports is the most confusing id say
i already knew how to do it so that helped a lot hehe
and i just dont use ur like program thing because whenever i use it, it just errors and nothing happens
so i learned all about SQLyog and the fields and how to edit mangosd and realmd manually
# Mike and Brock
if you get into realmd loop that means your ip address configured in your reamlist table didn’t match the ip address set in realmlist.wtf file
if you get unable to connect (using your dynamic dns address) that means, there’s something blocking the access like port forwarding issue (some routers do have port forwarding problem)
# Firane
Well actually my old guide that is linked on this post (at the first paragraph) just tell you that steps, but since many people still having problem with it i decided to rewrite it again but this time i choose to give a really detailed instruction, especially at the port forwarding part because that’s the number one source of their problem
(those who use dsl based connection most likely use a router and usually comes preconfigured by someone else who knows his way around configuring router without DMZ enabled (for security purpose of course) and that’s why port forwarding is the best way to do this without DMZ)
I just wanted to say that it seems totally pointless to do all those steps cuz i mean all u have to do is find ur ip from whatismyip.com throw it into the SQLyog field that says adress and then put it in ur realmlist
thats all i did
Oh, and I’ve already tried my computers ip, my routers ip…. those two put me into the “logging in to game server” loop. if i try my dydns or ip it just says unable to connect… just thought id give a little more info.
Can someone please give me a little assistance. I think my server is running correctly so far I just have one problem. When I try to log into my server using my GM account (the only accont made right now) over the internet I can login fine. Once logged in I select my realm and then click ok. Once I click ok it say connecting to server but then after about 2 seconds it just drops me back to the realm selection screen. Can someone tell me what this means and maybe a way I can fix this problem. Thanks in advance and thanks for the guides.
Awesome guide…
I was able to get it all working accept for one thing… when I try to connect locally (another computer on my network) I cant. Is this possibly because of the port forwarding? is there a way around it? I already verified my friend can connect… but I cant :(
Brilliant thanks for replying. Sorry im such a noob at all this.
When i am forwarding the ports then do i use the IP adress from the computer the router and modem are plugged into or the pc that im trying to run WoW from thats connected via a wireless signal.
Thanks again.
# JD
Because i haven’t tried (not even touch that router for once in my whole life) .. i couldn’t give you a definitive answer but perhaps this link can help you
http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=VoIP_Routers&message.id=423
or you could try asking at their forums
# Sam
Well you need to do it from the computer that is connected to the router directly because other people who’s trying to connect to your computer need to go through that pc :)
Hi there great guides so far thank you very much.
Im just wondering, its probebly a really obvious question but im trying to forward the ports. The computer im trying to run the wow server from is connected to the internet wirelessly. Do i have to forward the ports from the PC in which the router is directly connected or is it ok to do so from my PC?
ok i got alittle further now when i try to log into wow it says unable to connect to realmlist server
i think this just means my ports arent properly forwarded, but i dont really understand how to forward them then
can someone help me? i have a linksys WRT54GS router
i have gone through the steps on the port forwarding site and it didnt help
The Linksys Tech i was talking to the other day said i needed to know the server’s ip in order to properly forward the ports?
anyone can help me ?
I have done everything this guide says and everytime i try to check the ports are open i get an error
i am using a linksys WRT54GS
does it make any difference that i am not using the wired computer rather one of the wireless ones?
if not then what am i doing wrong/ i have reread and did what this guide says at least 4 times now i dont get what im doing rong
My mate has one up and runing atm. And i want to connect from my house, do i need to open any ports here? and in that case that i do, what ones?:)
Is there any way to make a private sever public without messing with hamachi or a router.
Ok so where do i start…
I have set up everything to work perfectly if i wanted to connect on my computer but when trying to go pubplic my friend keeps getting “Unable to connect”; Lets say my
IP 70.180.XXX.XXX
DNS wow282.servegame.com
and made it go to port 87000 (wich i edited the .config to go with the port) so my .wft file looks like
set realmlist wow282.servegame.com:87000
Now all ports are forwarded and open and i did Reaper-x option 5 setting the IP to “wow282.servegame.com”
and my hosts is as follows:
127.0.0.1 localhost
70.180.XXX.XXX wow282.servegame.com
Now as i said i get on no problem but public acces is at -0- giving them a unable to connect error which i set up a username/password for them which works on my comp. what am i doing wrong? i hear of Hamachi would work though how would i go about setting it up if this approarch does not? Thankyou!
p.s. Not sure if its suppost to stay but when running Realmd.exe the top is loading from 127.0.0.1 ; same with mangos.exe