Does anybody know of a public ventrilo that me and a buddy or two of mine could use to speak to each other? I've tried using Vent Server to host it myself, but I can't get it to work, even after portforwarding and trying various fixes.

We play on chesapeake, if that matters.

Nevermind, found one.

Third google down sorry

If you can't set up your server, try portforward for general information on how to forward ports on your router/firewall to do so.

Remember, you'll need to assign a static IP to your PC (any of the subnets will do) in order to forward properly. DHCP is going to give you a different IP every time you login, and you'll need to ensure it's set up not to change. Personally, I just disable DHCP.

When you do try and have him connect, also make sure you're giving him the correct external IP.

If after all of this (provided your ISP doesn't block or filter that port) make sure your buddy also has his configured properly. If in doubt, use your PC to ping the vent server you set-up. Have him do the same. If you guys can't ping it, something's not set up right.

Period.

EDIT: Also remember to add an exception on your pc's firewall to allow the correct ports for the program. If your ISP has built in-firewalls at the nodes, you won't be able to host Vent on it.
Sounds like it's either an issue with your ISP or your firewall software.

Personally, I'd not trust any unknown person and just log-in to their (edit: public) Vent server, as it chirps your IP directly to them , but if they seem reliable, it shouldn't hurt as long as you're secured properly.

That's just my take on it. Better to set-up a server than have a public spam-fest, I've found. At least then, you can kick people if/when they get out of hand.

GRI uses ventrilio for guild chat. I was not one that set it up. If you want to use it, might ask Pitr about who set up our server.

I've already messed with the portforwarding enough to tell you that it's not the problem. I do have a static IP, all that. I even went over to my friend's house (across the street) and made sure everything was correct, he still couldn't connect. The status page on the vent website says it can't find my server either, so I know it's on my end.

The thing is, if I enter in my own internal static IP I can connect to it. I guess this is normal?

I think it may be that my ISP is blocking it. I have uninstalled my firewall and made sure that windows firewall is turned off.

I use Ventrilo server on my pc..... and my ip is dynamic..... so when I find it's changed I go to IP chicken.... and get my ip to give to my friends.... When they use that IP address it seems to work just fine for them.......

Also if you have a router that could be your problem.... call your router company and see if they can help you set up your server.

I don't think Linksys would help me do something so specific. As long as the router is working as it should, they're happy.

If anybody, I probably need to talk to my ISP. I hope Target has some more suggestions for me (if he reads this thread).

I would offer Ventrillo for free on the UOF server, but the admin options seem severely limited.
I might offer TS in the near future though for people who host guilds here.

mm, put your Default Gateway (in your network connection properties tab) IP address into your browser.

You ought to get a login page; then type admin for the login, and admin for the password (this is the default password, recommend changing it).

Click the port forwarding tab. You should then be able to forward the port used by ventrilio's server to your IP. This should make the connection a success.

EDIT: the IP you're connecting to, is on the same subnet. This is why you're able to connect. Your server is on the same subnet as your client connection. This is why you're able to connect, as you're transmitting on the same LAN..to yourself.. The ip you're given is not necessarily the router's ip...the router's internal IP will be your default gateway listed in the property tab I mentioned above. To avoid confusion, this is not the same IP as seen to the rest of the world.

(this is accomplished through Network Address Translation for one, but is really too lengthy to explain without confusing everyone)

Try http://whatismyip.com as an alternative to ipchicken.

I've found ipchicken can sometimes be inaccurate with my connection, and I have no idea why.

This should allow you to attain access to, and configure the router to forward the proper ports. Make sure you set up a rule in the router to forward both TCP and UDP if necessary, it may require two seperate rules.

Sorry, I should have made it more clear in my last post. I've already port forwarded. I'm giving them the right IP address (both the vent site and ipchicken are telling me the same external IP). I don't really know where to go from here. Both TCP and UDP are forwarded.

One thing that could cause problems is that the Ventrilo program and the VentServer program are forwarded on the same port (3784). Is this okay?