Router Setup - Port Forwarding

If you wish to host a game AND you have a router, you must configure your router.

Get lP Address of Host Computer	What is your local IP address? Your local IP address for your host computer is displayed on your Setup Online Tournament (2 of 2) screen. You can view this without actually hosting. From the main menu, click Online, then Continue, your local IP address is displayed there.
Get Your Router Model	What is your router model number? Most routers have their model number printed on the bottom of the router, or look in your router manual.
Instructions	Instructions: PortForward.com is used to display the the configuration of the DD Poker ports for your specific router by clicking the link below. CLICK HERE to link to the setup instructions to configure DD Poker for your router. Choose your router model number, enter the IP address of your host computer and the instructions will be displayed.
Configure Your Router	Configure your router: Configure your router with the instructions in step 3 to Port Forward: TCP ports 11885 to 11889 to the local IP address of your computer. UDP ports 11885 to 11889 to the local IP address of your computer.

A firewall prevents unauthorized communication with your computer. A firewall can be a hardware firewall such as a home router. See Router Setup for information on configuring your router.

Or a firewall can be a software firewall such as Norton Internet Security. In addition to firewalls, Internet Security programs can also have application control, to prevent unauthorized use of an application. The purpose of security software is to prevent communication and disable applications.

If DD Poker does not run, can not play online, can not register, or online-activate you MUST configure all your security and firewall software.

Disconnections and the stability of an online game is dependant on many things. Some are within your control to improve and others are not.  For those familiar with live action online gaming such as first person shooter games, you will sometimes notice jumps in the action and the game will even pause occasionally to get all the players back in sync. Although it can be irritating to skip to a new position due to a jump in action, the game will continue. Good article here from XBOX on lag-free games. A poker game does not need to communicate vast amounts of data such as the movement in a first person shooter, but the data it does communicate is critical that it is not lost. If someone has a brief disconnection, we can not simply assume they wanted to fold and not raise, the action must wait until the person reconnects. By taking some preventative measures, you can reduce the number of disconnections that occur in a game. Shown below are tips on Hosting, Adware, and Line Quality.

Hosting - DD Poker uses what is called as a peer to peer hosting method. Our central server helps arrange public games, but once the game starts, it is the computer of the person hosting the game that communicates to all joined guests. For this reason, it makes sense that the person hosting has a system and internet connection that can handle this gracefully, especially if they are hosting a lot of people.

• Line quality - A good internet connection is probably the most important factor in reducing disconnections. Although the user can not control all aspects of their internet connection, there are measures that can be taken to clean up the signal and reduce disconnections. (see Line Quality below)
• Recommended system requirements - For games with 11-30 guests, we recommend a computer with the minimum of a 1 Gig processor and 512 Meg Ram.
• Limit multitasking - Limit the amount of multi-tasking especially web surfing involving large file transfers or streaming video.
• Adware removal - Adware can use up valuable processing power and memory causing your computer speed to crawl. (see Adware and Spyware below)
• Reboot - If you are having connection issues, reboot your computer, modem and router before hosting to clear the memory and buffers, and stop extra processes running running on your pc.

Adware and Spyware - Adware and spyware are typically commercial programs installed on your computer without your knowledge, and feed various things like pages visited and even personal information to their clients. Then can use this information for things like pop up ads that are marketed specifically to you. Unless you already actively run anti-adware and anti-spyware software, your computer is most likely infected without your knowledge. Adware and spyware is commercial and not intended to destroy data as in some viruses, but they will use up valuable processing power and memory. Although a few of these running on your computer will not have much effect, once infected they can multiply where you could easily have dozens on your computer running hundreds of processes to the point that your computer moves at a snails pace. We trust and recommend a free reveal program called Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft.

Line Quality - Line quality and the stability of an online game is dependant on several factors. The path your ISP takes to the host, server capacity, Internet traffic, your hardware, processing ability due to adware, cable congestion in your neighborhood, or your wiring.

• Broadband Tests - Broadband Reports is a great resource for information on improving your internet connection. They also provide users with free tests to check their line speed and line quality. This is a good starting point to check out your internet connection.
  
  Broadband Reports Speed Test
  Broadband Reports Line Quality Test
  Axence NetTools 2.0 Trace hops from you to the host of a game. Displays latency and packet loss.
  
  
• Wireless - Your wireless connection to the internet can be compromised depending on the path your wireless signal, and even some wireless router brands are known to cause occasional disconnects. If your computer is connected to the internet via a wireless device such as a wireless router, see if your connectivity improves by placing the computer within 5-10 feet of the wireless device. For an analogy, you sometimes have trouble hearing people with a cordless phone when you are around walls or a long distance away, although your wireless router has improved technology with things such as frequency hopping, don't think your wireless router is immune to interference. Avoid obstacles between the wireless router and computer such as large metal cabinets or appliances. Avoid interference such as cordless telephones or bluetooth devices in near proximity to the wireless router or computer. Make sure your wireless device antenna is pointed vertically. Interference can also be caused by things such as microwave ovens and amateur radio too.
  
  
• Router - It is possible that your router can cause your internet connection to performing sluggishly, freeze unexpectedly or experience dropped connections. Every router contains its own built in software that handles the network communication. This built in software is called firmware. Since your router was manufactured, there are most likely firmware revisions released that improve your router's ability to communicate with other network devices. Even a new router can contain firmware which is already several months old before the router is sold. We advise you check your router manufacturer's web site to see if there are any firmware updates for your router that addresses connectivity issues. Follow your router manufacture's instructions to do this update. If you are still experiencing connectivity issues after updating your router firmware, you may want to check to see if newer software is available for your network adapter, your network adapter software is known as a "driver". Updating your drivers is a bit more involved and we do not recommend it without consulting a tech support engineer or contacting your PC manufacturer/network adapter manufacturer for further assistance.

• Cable - Your physical cable wiring and your cable provider's internet congestion can cause issues with cable broadband.

  Wiring - Original cable TV wiring was designed using RG-59 cable. A higher quality RG-6 cable, will promote less loss and higher speeds. Cables should be replaced if a visual inspection of the screw on connectors at the ends of the cable shows signs of loose connectors or especially frayed metal shielding. This frayed metal shielding acts as an antenna causing interference which leeds to packet loss and ultimately reduction in speed and game disconnections. Check with your broadband provider, they may have a web interface that shows your signal to noise ratio. A low signal to noise ratio can cause packet loss, re transmissions and slow speeds. From the point that your cable enters the house to every TV, cable box, and modem, confirm there are not extra wires not connected to anything or splitters used with an open terminal. This can cause an impedance mismatch leading to signal reflection and a low signal to noise ratio. If your inside wiring looks good but your signal to noise ratio is low, your cable from your house to the pole may be the culprit. Any exposed wire even caused from a squirrels chewing on the cable can cause interference. If you have ever noticed a shadow watching a broadcast station over cable such as channel 3, 5 or 8 is an indicator of this.
  

  Congestion - Cable has an advantage over DSL because it can offer higher download speeds. But cable's disadvantage is the narrow upstream bandwidth causing congestion during peak hours. One of the most common complaints for cable modems is that of increased latency and other problems as more subscribers in a given area come on line since cable users in the same area share bandwidth. Cable companies are using a very narrow band for return signaling, otherwise know as the upstream or return path. This is positioned below all the space allocated for TV channels. This band is prone to RF interference and is very limited in capacity. Upstream transmissions may therefore compete with others in the area, get delayed (suffer high latency) due to noise fighting techniques, and cable TOS (Terms Of Service) typically prohibit any kind of constant upstream use. Internet use is shifting away from central servers broadcasting to many individuals and some interesting peer to peer applications like online gaming. These applications need a strong upstream channel. From Broadband Reports FAQ

• DSL - Original phone wiring used for DSL lines can be a source for line noise causing packet loss and a reduction in speed. The cheapest and easiest way for a DSL provider to get broadband into your home is to use existing phone wiring with line sharing. This potentially can cause problems in two areas, your wiring and filtering.
  
  

  A common misconception among computer users is that the telephone company and long-distance switching network is a "perfect system." The advent of error-correcting, high-speed modems which mask line-noise and push the data transfer tolerance window to the limit, has given us a false sense of belief that everything should work at top speed every time. Not so! There is that age old problem known as LINE NOISE. Line noise may or may not be apparent to your "naked ear", however your modem can and will react to this annoying phenomenon. Some complaints which can be attributed to line noise are: "The system was very slow in responding tonight." From Broadband Reports FAQ

  Wiring - Unless you have a modern home, most home phone wiring was designed for analog voice not high speed digital. Also, since home owners are now responsible for their own wiring, many homes have all kinds of crazy wiring jobs. Every phone jack in the house should be checked to make sure there is no corrosion, shorts with other wires, loose wires or loose splitter connections. Avoid running your modem phone wire in parallel with power cables. Some people like to wrap all their cords together to be tidy, but it would be better to run your power wires separated from your data cables. Also, check for the same if there is a common terminal in the basement where all your phones are connect to. One method of troubleshooting is to disconnect all your other phone wires from the source and test your DSL. You may even want to test your modem wired directly to the gray NID, "network interface device" outside. This is either gray or black phone box on the outside of your home.
  
  The best way to reduce packet loss and increase speed is to run a new good quality line from your NID phone box to your modem. You will need an NID splitter/filter to split your phone line at the box. The splitter sends one line to your dedicated DSL modem, and the other filters all your original phone wiring at once(see filtering below). You can also pay to have your DSL provider or phone company put this whole house NID splitter/filter in your NID box and run a dedicated DSL line to your modem. If you find you still have trouble connected directly to your NID, the problem may be in your line from your house to the pole or beyond to the "CO" where your DSL provider connects you to the internet. In these cases it is the phone companies problem. You should have your equipment or telephone line checked. You can call your phone company and ask them to have your line checked for noise on your telephone line. If their test does not meet the FCC requirement for line noise, they will come out and fix the issue even potentially replace the phone line from your house to the pole.
  

  Filtering - DSL line share wiring requires your phones to be filtered. Filtering prevents any interference from phones, cable boxes, satellite boxes, and fax machines. You have two choices to do this filtering. You can install a filter on each phone and phone device or filter your entire home. The DSL company prefers to filter each phone individually because they do not need to send a technician to your home, it is easier to simply send you an installation kit with enough filters for all your phones. This is not the best way since you have all the phone wires and devices in your house acting to add potential interference and packet loss, due to line noise and reflection due to impedance mismatch. Or the best method is to filter all your phones at once with a whole house filter, otherwise known as an NID splitter/filter, and run a dedicated line from your NID box to your modem. This is the best way to achieve the fastest speeds with the best quality.

• Dial up - You can easily connect to an online game using a dial up modem. But we recommend that you do not use your bandwidth by surfing or downloading files at the same time. You are also capable of hosting, although it would be better to join as a guest to someone else's hosted game using broadband. Follow the same wiring suggestions described in the DSL section to improve your speed and reduce disconnections.
  

• Latency and Bandwidth - Latency and Bandwidth are related.  Latency(speed) measures delays between each transmission and is measured with network tools like ping and trace-route. Bandwidth refers to how much data can be transferred in a given amount of time and is often measured by timing how long it takes to transmit a large file. Network latency delays may be due to signals passing through various routers and proxies, or it may be due to distance, such as the propagation delays of satellite transmissions.  Applications that use voice conferencing are more sensitive to latency than to bandwidth, and you can hear the delays when talking over a satellite or voice-over-IP network. If you have packet loss due to poor line quality, packets may need to be resent and cause more latency.

  You may verify your latency by doing a ping to determine your latency for the first hop to your internet gateway. Latency measured in milliseconds can be checked with a ping utility. A small packet of data is sent to a host and the round-trip time, time it takes for the packet to leave the source host, travel to the destination host and return back to the source host is measured in milliseconds. This figure is a snapshot in time and may change based on network traffic or other conditions even such as weather such as rainy days and ice storms can affect latency. Ideally, the measured time should be as low as possible. High latencies, despite your fast line, may indicate extensive hidden (tunneled) routing between you, and your internet gateway.

  Bandwidth is normally expressed in bits per second. It's the amount of data that can be transferred during a second. Solving bandwidth is easier than solving latency. To solve bandwidth, more pipes are added. Bandwidth and latency are connected. If the bandwidth is saturated then congestion occurs and latency is increased. However, if the bandwidth of a circuit is not at peak, the latency will not decrease. Bandwidth can always be increased but latency cannot be decreased. Latency is the function of the electrical characteristics of the circuit.

If you have done everything mentioned above in Online Stability and Disconnects for what is in your control at home, the problem may simply be an ISP issue out of your control.

Even switching ISP's is not guarantee to improve your internet connection. Typically since all DSL companies share space at your local telephone company, the "CO" central office, if the issues are there the problems will not go away. Switching from DSL to cable or vise/versa may solve some problems but create others.

The perfect internet world would act more like a LAN and there would be no delay of packets causing latency and no lost packets. Hosts with very good home connection with a very good service provider on a low congestion day can have zero problems.

On the other extreme is a host with a poor home connection to start with, on a day with an ice storm in a part of the country where some of their packets are being sent through, on a Saturday night when the internet is at it's peak. Now you have a situation where packets are being lost, and ones that do arrive are sometimes delayed due to resending packets and latency due to congestion.

If the host computer does not receive an alive signal from the guest, you may notice a "Disconnected" placard appear over their cards. TCP, the protocol used by DD, must verify a packet is sent before the next arrives in order. Depending on the severity of the delay and packet losses, you may notice the placard constantly turning on and off or even turn on for a several seconds. If the packet loss is severe enough, TCP completely stops sending lost packets as TCP test packets are sent out until a connection is re-established. This can explain why some people have trouble re-connecting all together.

People that play Xbox live games will also notice this on high congestion days or when ISP's are having trouble due to weather or other. An example, players may notice their character in a first person shooter game jump or notice other players jump to a new location to re-sync due to packet loss and latency. These types of game address this problem by simply re-syncing the game. If the problem gets bad enough or the host quits, you will notice the game go to a blue screen and allow everyone to re-sync or a new host is chosen.

In a poker game, if it is your turn to act, you can not simply jump that person ahead and assume they have called. We must wait until we have positive confirmation of their action. If some guests are having internet issues, the game will still flow nicely, everyone will simply notice those players having trouble with disconnection placards. If the host or host's ISP , or regional hub where the hosts packets are being transferred is having trouble, you may notice large numbers of disconnects.

Hopefully this offers some insight into internet packet loss and latency.