Host a server on CoD 5 WaW

Ever heard of opening ports? Forwarding ports? And if you have, do you know you have to do these if you wish to host a server? Here are pieces of information on how to host a server for zombies and coop (should allow you to host also on Multiplayer)
Edit: 1,000+ visits 0_0 wow I didn't expect this when I made this guide (I had done it just for some friends). Apologies this is indeed for CoD5WaW and not BO1. I have a box disc retail version of CoD5WaW (as opposed to a Steam version), so Steam won't let me post under the CoD5WaW hub.

1. Basic info

- softwares use "ports" to connect to the Internet
- those ports are usually closed by the Windows' firewall for security reasons and to prevent you from being hacked
- when you create a game and open your own lobby, you actually host a server, it's a peer to peer server created on your computer, of which you become the "administrator"
- in order to host a server on CoD 5 World at War, the ports used by the game need to be opened
- be on wire to host, not wifi: otherwise all players will lag and your server will be abandoned
- once you're done, you will know your ports are open because people will come in your lobby very quickly (more likely for Der Riese). Even as of spring 2016, my server gets full within 2 mn in evenings and week-ends, it's more about 5-10 mn otherwise...
- according to some forums, here are the ports that need to be opened on your computer for CoD 5 WaW:

UDP: 3074, 3075, 3478, 3479, 20500, 20510
TCP: 80, 443, 3074, 5223, 28970

TCP/UDP 20800
TCP/UDP 20810
TCP/UDP 28960

I don't know why there are so much. As far as I'm concerned, I just needed to open
TCP/UDP: 28960
UDP: 20500

Edit: one day, a friend of mine could not join my server. He told me to open the following ports too, and he got the information from Activision's support. He indeed could join my server after I opened them:
UDP 1500, 3005
TCP 27014, 27050

Note: if you're on a public wifi, e.g. a student's dormitory, chances are you won't be able to forward anything to your computer

Last but not least, a friend of mine told me something about the ping restriction that you can set in the options of your server: you can limit the max ping of incoming players and play with people who will not suffer from lags. Be careful however: when you do that, and you are ready to start the game, if you start right away after everybody said yes! ready! start! etc, you will all crash!! The trick is to remove the ping restriction before starting the game (just set it back to 0)! See at the end of this guide a link for useful commands to be an efficient host ;)

2. How to

* Routers

If you're using a router / dualband / "all in one box" for internet / something similar, I highly suggest you start with forwarding the traffic of the ports to your computer.
You may also need a local static IP address, so that your router always forwards the traffic to your computer (otherwise you may get a different local IP address after some time, and even though your router will still forward the codwaw traffic, your computer will not be receiving it anymore).

- setup a local static IP adress:
Windows 10:
https://portforward.com/networking/static-ip-windows-10.htm
Windows 8:
https://portforward.com/networking/static-ip-windows-8.htm
Windows 7:
http://portforward.com/networking/static-win7.htm

or if you prefer videos:
Windows 10:
https://youtu.be/BR1Z0jDauJ4
WIndows 8:
https://youtu.be/AYgWaxEEQGE
Windows 7:
https://youtu.be/qA73fxyX9Nw

- forward ports:
http://youtu.be/b2fBTvT8y7c

Then have a try opening a lobby and see if you get random people coming in your server: it seems many routers have some ability to make the Windows' firewall to synchronize with it. So you may already be done.
Otherwise, proceed to next step: opening your CoD WaW ports on your Windows' firewall

* Modems

If you connect directly to the Internet through a modem:
open ports on Windows 10:
https://youtu.be/2AcqibSJ8ng
Windows 8:
https://youtu.be/JW4SVYp5oEM
Windows 7:
https://youtu.be/FF2cAifxnHs
Windows XP: still using it? message me if you need so

Comments welcome. If there's something wrong, please advise and I'll correct.
Should you need any assistance I'll be glad to help you.

3. Useful commands for the savvy host

Last but not least, since you'll be hosting, I suggest you have a look on all the very useful commands to be a smart host ;)

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=351148618

@ nomorevideos

> Is there any way to use cheats (with the console) in online zombie games if you're the host?
yes, cheats like infinite ammo, running faster, enabling the chat to dead players, etc. work in online zombies. And of course, the command to kick someone.
However, some other cheats don't work, like the god mode, and if my memory serves well, other cheats like noclip don't work.
That is for the unmodified game, because there are many hacks that enable to use anything: god mode for every players, all guns, noclip etc. just look at the "Skybase" mod.

I noticed that usually, the same applies to custom maps, we can use infinite ammo etc. but not the god mode or noclip. I guess the same goes for the hacks too: they would enable god mode, all guns etc

I haven't played too much custom maps, nor did I use a lot of cheats online, so I can't help about specific cases, like Leviathan or Kino rebirth, sorry about that.

> Some maps need to be launched through the devmap command via the console to enable cheats
I didn't know about that, interesting!

> if you are actually abel to use cheat flagged commands online in your own game, what about other players on your server? Can they use for example cg_fov 90?

from my experience, and with an unmodified codwaw, the other players are always able to use basic commands, like a binding to a key to display automatically a text chat (e.g. "Reload now! Max Ammo!!", "keep 1 pls!"), and even enable the Arcade mode (see below for more info). So I guess changing the fov is fine, though I don't know for sure.

> Can they abuse noclip or god?
they can't do that, god and noclip just don't work online, neither for the host nor for the clients. Unless there's some custom map allowing it, but I don't know, it seems custom maps rather forbids the use of cheats, something that I think is silly since modding is about modifying the game anyway.
Now if they use a hack, that's a different story...

hope this helps

Again, I made another guide for CoDWAW about using commands and cheats, you may have a look:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=351148618

[B.A.S.E. Diraxel]

That's weird, there's no setting to change the regions, not that I know of, at least. The host can limit the ping, but not the regions. I played a lot with friends who have the Steam version with my CD version, it's 100% compatible. Are you sure you both use the same version? The Steam version automatically installs all patches by default, but you need to install each of them manually on the CD version, there are seven of them. Not sure I can help beyond that.

[DREDD]

My friend cant join my Coop campaign because it says We are in diffrent Regions... how can We fix it. I Got the original PC game and He bought the steam version because He dont have a CD DRIVE on his New PC. With the original PC CD Version We never Got some Problems for zombie or coop. I hope an one can hrlp me solving the problem because i want some Nostalgia moments with my buddy

[Eminent Demon]

This is how mine looks, i have no idea where what goes where.
https://imgur.com/a/Rjkxdnp

[Eminent Demon]

Could you add me and help with the ports? My routers ports look way different from the way you put them

[richard_hafer | TTV]

Thank you for this tutorial, im planning to play with some friends and i have the best connection so i need to host the server! Luckily i already have a static IP and some ports forwarded!

[B.A.S.E. Diraxel]

I'm not sure what you mean by "dedicated", could you be more specific?  :s

[Callmyback]

How to setup the server as a dedicated one? (Windows Server 2016)

[Gurei (Gray)]

Thank you, I'll try it

[B.A.S.E. Diraxel]

In section 2. "How to", there are links about setting a static IP address, typically, routers' address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, the static address you choose needs to be similar to your router's IP address. You just need to choose the last number between 1 and 254, and this last number should not be the same as your router's IP address, e.g. 192.168.1.10

[Gurei (Gray)]

What should I do if I don't have a static address? I search online and there is a way but I don't know what IP I should put on lol