One problem with tournaments in the league channel has been the lack of ability of computers to be able to communicate with each other. This is mainly due to Firewalls or Routers and the fact that most users have no idea of how to use the machines they are sitting in front of. Another major reason is that people don’t know how to use their apprentice either. Apprentice is just an interface to play via a TCP/IP network. This guide mostly will explain how to disable the standard Windows XP firewall and has some other pieces of advice.
Connecting through Port 21
If you believe you are Firewalled and cannot receive calls from an opponent, please try to connect to that opponent on port 21 from then connect to opponent. When both are firewalled you can try port 21 and try to connect and be connected to. About 90% of the time this will fix the problem. (See example below):
Removing Firewall from Windows XP
When you set up a new connection, you'll need to disable the Internet Connection Firewall yourself. Right-click the connection and choose Properties. The ICF is listed on the Advanced tab. When you disable ICF, at the bottom of the Advanced tab, the Settings button becomes active. Pressing it will bring up the Advanced Settings window, where you can customize the ICF to some extent. Including, turning off the Internet Firewall as well as allowing certain ports and types of connections.
Step by Step
- Open Network Connections (Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.)
- Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
- On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select one of the following:
- To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.
- To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box. This disables the firewall, your computer and network are then vulnerable to intrusions.
Any other Questions:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/ using/howto/networking/icf.asp
AOL and Know Restrictions
If you have AOL, not that you ever should, but maybe required to have it due to location restrictions then if you do not have administrative rights (or above child control) you may have trouble connecting to people or receiving connections. My first suggestion for this is get rid of AOL, second bit of advice is get higher access levels.
