Server set up help

[Sergeant Scout]

I cant even figure out how to run one i follow the instructions but it just shows this stupid local host server i never made. im also not sure how to join a server i need a totorial badly :(

[nccvoyager]

First, "localhost" is a OS set variable for "127.0.0.1" which is a loop back to your own computer.
That being said, it is used to connect to your own server.
Now, in order for other people to connect, they need your external IP address.
The address found here is the one they will need: http://www.whatismyip.com/

This is where it gets confusing.

Most people do not have their router and firewall set up for port forwarding, and do not know how to do so.
As such, even with that address, people still can't connect to your server.
You will need to either port forward, or use a program that creates a VPN, like Hamachi or Tunngle.
There are many resources to learn to port forward out there, but the major issue you will run into if you do not run your own router setup is that you will likely not have, or be able to get, access to the router settings.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244314/how_to_forward_ports_on_your_router.html
http://www.howtogeek.com/66214/

Those issues can be solved by using something like Hamachi or Tunngle that bypasses the need of port forwarding, but those programs (and VPNs) need to be set up on both your computer, and your friend's computer(s).
http://segmentnext.com/2009/12/06/setup-and-play-on-tunngle/
http://lifehacker.com/5902468/how-to-set-up-a-personal-private-vpn-with-hamachi
http://wiretuts.com/how-to-get-games-work-with-hamachi-on-windows-7/

Now, even if you have all of that set up, you can still run into problems with the OS firewall.
Depending on the OS, there are different ways of allowing the program through the firewall.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/open-a-port-in-windows-firewall
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308127
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-open-a-port-in-the-windows-7-firewall.html

This is as much help as I can give you.
You may ask why programs on the PC can't run servers that others can connect to online without port forwarding, but games on consoles can...
The reality is, games on consoles can't.
Games on consoles use the game servers that are provided by the developer (or in some cases the publisher) to run games.
"But why does Diablo 3 work without port forwarding?"
Well, same reason as above. You can not run a local server in Diablo 3. All servers are run from open ports on Blizzard servers.
It's a pain, but, once you know how to do this stuff, it's actually not that hard of a process.

[Sergeant Scout]

ok so i use Hamachi for all my servers lets take Minecraft servers for example. When i create a MC server using Hamachi i enter the ip in the server properties, how would i enter the ip for a castle story server? The Local Host page it brings up has no options for me in any tab but the Real Time tab. Would i have to enter the ip in the multiplayer settings? And if i do how would i know it changed? I have enterd my Hamachi ip into the settings a thousand times and it still does not let me join all it does is show me turning arrows for 30 mins :/ ~Thanks NoelTheMan PS thanks for typing up all that i didnt actually think someone would respond:)

[nccvoyager]

Okay, so, you know how to work Hamachi, so that makes this a bit easier...
First of all, you will need to allow the ports that Castle Story uses through your local firewall.
I believe the only port used is port 3000.
After you've unblocked it from your firewall (firewall settings in previous post) you can now join your own server.
That being said, do not join your server using the IP that Hamachi gives you!
Your friends will join using the IP Hamachi gives you, but you must join using "localhost" or "127.0.0.1" in your settings.
Do note that you have to run CastleStories.exe to start the server before trying to join it.
You can find the location for the multiple executable here:
http://support.castlestory.net/kb/articles/3-how-to-start-a-multiplayer-server

[Sergeant Scout]

I followed all the suggestions and it still wont work :/

[nccvoyager]

*Shrug*
I dunno what to say.
Might want to see if Box can give you a hand when he/she/it returns.

[The_Box]

He. or it. Whatever.

And I honestly know very little about the multiplayer, I haven't played around with it much. I'll see if I can find a solution for you though.

[nccvoyager]

A'right, he. :P
Wasn't sure... Well, I could've just looked at your profile page, since it isn't exactly hard to tell whether someone is male or female based on their (real) name... But, I didn't.
And, yeah. I've been able to run a server via LAN and also via Hamachi...
But, that being said, I'm not sure what about my setup allowed me to, or what about noeltheman's setup may be preventing it.

[Sergeant Scout]

Thanks for your help i really appriciate you guys taking the time to help me and all:) Maybe they will make more totorials as the game grows older right now i can only find 1 on Youtube and that one does not even make sence maybe if i i tell you guys what i did you can tell me what i did wrong?

[Sergeant Scout]

1. Followed all the steps at the 'Launch server' button for a steam setup

2. I portforwarded on my router folowing all the steps on: http://www.pcworld.com/article/244314/how_to_forward_ports_on_your_router.html

3.Followed all the steps for the OS firewall (I use Norton so when that did not work i turned off the smart firewall) i followed this link: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-open-a-port-in-the-windows-7-firewall.html

4. I also did the following ip while the server was on: localhost, 127.0.0.1, my local ip my external ip, my hamaci ip. i did each one seperatly and all resulted in failure (30 mins of spinning arrows)

5. i had my freind try all the ips above aswell and it still would not work

6. watched a totorial on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_XZwpLY0U

7. i followed it and still nothing

Maybe one of you could be the first to make a good youtube totorial? the one i watched did not help at all (link above) Remmember i am basicaly a computer noob so if it could be as detailed as possible that would be great:) once again thanks for your help i appreciate it a lot:)

[nccvoyager]

Well, I'm going to (possibly) make a video tutorial soon(ish) pertaining to this sort of thing...
But, in precursor to that...
I should have asked a while ago, are you running an OS other than Windows? After all, I've given all this info assuming you're running it on Windows...
If you are running Windows, you are running the program as an administrator, right? (Right-click CastleStories.exe and select "Run as administrator")
If you're running another OS, I honestly can't help since I only really work with Windows.
(Tried Linux, it hurt. MacOSX... Just, no.)

[Sergeant Scout]

yes i use windows but its windows 7 not 8 and Norton is my firewall

[Sergeant Scout]

I just left click it...it brings up a command consol and a website called: localhost

[nccvoyager]

Yes. Leave both of them open.
The command window and localized site are the UI for the server.

Right-clicking and running as administrator may also avoid some possible issues.

[Sergeant Scout]

But how would i make the server respond to a certain ip adress? my MC servers have ips in their properties, could i do that for the CS server somehow? plus i tried run as adminastrator but it still is not working. How would i use the website anyway? the only tab that works is the one your opened into.

[nccvoyager]

The command prompt is the local server output. It tells you what's going on in that location in terms of loading data and the like.
The website is the UI for analytics. It gives information on what players are doing, how many players are online, and so on.

Also, I'm running Windows 7, and I seem to now be having trouble running a local server as well.
*Shrug* Dunno what to say.