Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know!

HousePlant · October 24th, 2009, 12:07 AM

Borderlands, like many other online multiplayer games, requires that you forward a few ports if you plan on hosting a game. This basically means that if you want people to join your game you need to open up a path in your internet connection for them to get there, otherwise you'll be left to loot all by your lonesome.

But don't worry! This is a pretty easy thing to do!

First, determine whether or not these ports are already open
There are some cases where port forwarding is unnecessary, such as when you connect directly to a single port cable or DSL modem.

To test for this just click each of the following links, it will tell you if the port is open or not. [this section is broken, it'll say closed even if they're open right now, I'll fix later]

7777
28900
27900
28910
28902 - seems like this needs to be open too.

If the ports were closed, we need to determine what kind of router you're using
You'll need to find the model name of the router or router/modem combo you're using. This shouldn't be too hard. Usually, the internet comes in through your modem (box connecting to the wall either through phone line or cable line) and is then passed to a router which sorts and distributes your internet connection to the computers in your house. Go find the latter, turn it over, and look for a brand name and some kind of model number (Ex.: Linksys wrt54g, D-link DI-804). Once you have that go to this link and locate your model:

http://portforward.com/

Follow the instructions provided. The ports you need to open are:

7777 (TCP/UDP)
28900 (TCP)
27900 (UDP)
28910 (TCP)
28902 - not in the readme, but opening this port helped alot of people

Once you're done click each port to test if it's really forwarded. Bear in mind that sometimes it takes a minute for the router settings to apply (occasionally you'll even need to reset it before the settings take effect).

Forgot to mention!!!: You'll need to either add an exception to the windows firewall or disable it altogether. I disabled mine; it's all but useless. I'll write up a guide when I'm done with class.

There you have it! Now people can join your games.
If you have any problems feel free to ask questions here or PM me.

I think this might be useful as a sticky.

Savage Reindeer · October 24th, 2009, 01:05 AM

Confused. Do console people have to do this to? I do always have trouble cinnecting to specific people.

Hazado · October 24th, 2009, 01:07 AM

This is for PC people, they stated in their readme that these ports might need to be opened for online play.

Rue · October 24th, 2009, 02:19 AM

You don't need to if you're not having any trouble. If you are - try port forwarding those mapped ports. Otherwise, you can also try demiliterizing your Xbox/PS3/PC. This will place your Xbox/PS3/PC in an isolated network segmant that will allow all public traffic.

I play on an Xbox 360 and my network requires having the Xbox Live ports fowarded. ....Probably doesn't help I'm load balancing my 2 modems on static NAT with 3 additional hops on my network...

Easiest way to get your routers IP: Windows Button+R, (run.. should appear) type cmd, type ipconfig, look for default gateway and type that gateway number (ie 192.168.0.1) into your browser.

HousePlant · October 24th, 2009, 10:21 AM

You do need to do this if you intend on hosting a game from the PC version and you're behind a router. Furthermore, I wouldn't recommend enabling DMZ for a PC; a console's fine but it presents a big security risk when you DMZ a PC.

maddoxx · October 26th, 2009, 08:46 AM

Are you sure these are the only ports you need to forward? I can't seem to be able to host games even after I opened those ports.

HousePlant · October 26th, 2009, 11:05 AM

Those are the only ones defined in the Readme. Have you used my links to double check that they are properly forwarded? Some routers don't update their settings very quickly. Maybe try restarting it.

himself000 · October 26th, 2009, 12:52 PM

this kinda sucks. Do they not realise that 90% of people dont have a CLUE what their IP address is, let alone how to open ports and such.

How is everyone gonna play together ? i kinda assumed they had something going where it would just work...

viperfx · October 26th, 2009, 01:04 PM

ffs ive done portforward for othergames, and it not working for borderlands!!!

Can someone help me on xfire or something please? xfire:viperfx07

smoke63b · October 26th, 2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by himself000

this kinda sucks. Do they not realise that 90% of people dont have a CLUE what their IP address is, let alone how to open ports and such.

How is everyone gonna play together ? i kinda assumed they had something going where it would just work...

Port forwarding is a huge part of just about ALL multiplayer PC games. If people don't know yet they need to learn. It's not difficult.

October 24th, 2009, 12:07 AM	#1
HousePlant Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 179	Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! Borderlands, like many other online multiplayer games, requires that you forward a few ports if you plan on hosting a game. This basically means that if you want people to join your game you need to open up a path in your internet connection for them to get there, otherwise you'll be left to loot all by your lonesome. But don't worry! This is a pretty easy thing to do! First, determine whether or not these ports are already open There are some cases where port forwarding is unnecessary, such as when you connect directly to a single port cable or DSL modem. To test for this just click each of the following links, it will tell you if the port is open or not. [this section is broken, it'll say closed even if they're open right now, I'll fix later] 7777 28900 27900 28910 28902 - seems like this needs to be open too. If the ports were closed, we need to determine what kind of router you're using You'll need to find the model name of the router or router/modem combo you're using. This shouldn't be too hard. Usually, the internet comes in through your modem (box connecting to the wall either through phone line or cable line) and is then passed to a router which sorts and distributes your internet connection to the computers in your house. Go find the latter, turn it over, and look for a brand name and some kind of model number (Ex.: Linksys wrt54g, D-link DI-804). Once you have that go to this link and locate your model: http://portforward.com/ Follow the instructions provided. The ports you need to open are: 7777 (TCP/UDP) 28900 (TCP) 27900 (UDP) 28910 (TCP) 28902 - not in the readme, but opening this port helped alot of people Once you're done click each port to test if it's really forwarded. Bear in mind that sometimes it takes a minute for the router settings to apply (occasionally you'll even need to reset it before the settings take effect). Forgot to mention!!!: You'll need to either add an exception to the windows firewall or disable it altogether. I disabled mine; it's all but useless. I'll write up a guide when I'm done with class. There you have it! Now people can join your games. If you have any problems feel free to ask questions here or PM me. I think this might be useful as a sticky. __________________ http://steamcommunity.com/groups/borderlandsla A Borderlands LA Steam group Last edited by HousePlant; October 26th, 2009 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Bad link, thanks Hazado!

October 24th, 2009, 01:05 AM	#2
Savage Reindeer Fyrumer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 300	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! Confused. Do console people have to do this to? I do always have trouble cinnecting to specific people. __________________ www.fyrum.com A place to share cool things you find on the internet. Savage Reviews is my blog I use to practice games journalism. I try to write regularly, and should be writing more often with the summer here now. I take requests, and appreciate readers who hold me responsible for slacking off. The Dictionary defines "Ennui" as boredom. Ironic, isn't it?

October 24th, 2009, 01:07 AM	#3
Hazado Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 62	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! This is for PC people, they stated in their readme that these ports might need to be opened for online play. __________________ JOIN STEAM GROUP: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/BLSquad

October 24th, 2009, 02:19 AM	#4
Rue New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! You don't need to if you're not having any trouble. If you are - try port forwarding those mapped ports. Otherwise, you can also try demiliterizing your Xbox/PS3/PC. This will place your Xbox/PS3/PC in an isolated network segmant that will allow all public traffic. I play on an Xbox 360 and my network requires having the Xbox Live ports fowarded. ....Probably doesn't help I'm load balancing my 2 modems on static NAT with 3 additional hops on my network... Easiest way to get your routers IP: Windows Button+R, (run.. should appear) type cmd, type ipconfig, look for default gateway and type that gateway number (ie 192.168.0.1) into your browser. Last edited by Rue; October 24th, 2009 at 02:24 AM.

October 24th, 2009, 10:21 AM	#5
HousePlant Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 179	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! You do need to do this if you intend on hosting a game from the PC version and you're behind a router. Furthermore, I wouldn't recommend enabling DMZ for a PC; a console's fine but it presents a big security risk when you DMZ a PC. __________________ http://steamcommunity.com/groups/borderlandsla A Borderlands LA Steam group

October 26th, 2009, 08:46 AM	#6
maddoxx New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! Are you sure these are the only ports you need to forward? I can't seem to be able to host games even after I opened those ports.

October 26th, 2009, 11:05 AM	#7
HousePlant Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 179	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! Those are the only ones defined in the Readme. Have you used my links to double check that they are properly forwarded? Some routers don't update their settings very quickly. Maybe try restarting it. __________________ http://steamcommunity.com/groups/borderlandsla A Borderlands LA Steam group

October 26th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#8
himself000 Rawb Himself Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dorset, UK Posts: 27	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! this kinda sucks. Do they not realise that 90% of people dont have a CLUE what their IP address is, let alone how to open ports and such. How is everyone gonna play together ? i kinda assumed they had something going where it would just work... __________________ Fry me a kipper, I'll be back for christmas FYI I AM AN IDIOT

October 26th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#9
viperfx Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 131	Re: Port Forwarding - What PC Borderlanders need to know! ffs ive done portforward for othergames, and it not working for borderlands!!! Can someone help me on xfire or something please? xfire:viperfx07

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