Yeah I know this subject has been done to death! I am also familiar with all
the common problems.
I have tried all the tried and true techniques for resolving this. It is
most likely caused by the new firewall I just implemented. But I want to
know why!
Servers:
3 HP Proliant DL 380 G3 (full specs available if required)
1. HLDS x 4 - 67.93.155.120:27015 <-- Connected to the DMZ, This one
shows up on the SMSL
2. HLDS x 5 - 67.93.155.126:27015 <-- LAN NAT to WAN does not show
up on SMSL
3. HLDSS x 4 - 67.93.155.119:27015 <-- LAN NAT to WAN does not show
up on SMSL
Never mind the performance and bandwidth, it all works great.. Or used to,
read on...
Oh yeah, please don't state the obvious solution, put them all on the DMZ! I
want them all on the LAN, They should and did work on the LAN before the
firewall was changed. The DMZ is being used as a test case.
All servers are playable if you connect manually or have them on your
Favorites list.
Firewall:
Sonicwall Pro 3060 with Enhanced OS -
http://www.sonicwall.com/us/PRO_3060.html
3 Security Zones
LAN - > all outbound traffic allowed
WAN < - All inbound blocked except for UDP and TCP ports
27000 - 27050
DMZ < - All inbound blocked except for UDP and TCP ports
27000 - 27050
The NAT is configured to allow all traffic transparently to the specified
host on the LAN. The same firewall rules are used on the DMZ and LAN to
control what ports are open to the WAN.
For a full list of the other ports and servers use Game Monitor:
http://www.game-monitor.com/search.php?search={MC}&type=server
They don't all show up using Game tiger however:
http://www.gametiger.net/search?server=%7BMC%7D&game=all
Notice only the one IP shows up. All the servers are configured similarly
and some have been up for years without issues.
It seems like Game Monitor caches the server list and will continue to ping
and report a server as being up as long as it still replies regardless of
the SMSL (Steam Master Server List) It looks at the SMSL for new servers and
will only show a server if it is first on the SMSL.
Game Tiger will only show servers that show up on the SMSL.
The server on the DMZ shows up fine and has a steady population. The servers
on the LAN do not.
Using the built in connection monitor I see all the servers connecting the
SMSL servers and they pass the same amount of data back and forth. I would
need to use a packet sniffer to get more precise.
The purpose of this post is to better understand the way the HLDS servers
communicate with the Steam master servers. If it is the firewall causing the
problem I need to be able to explain exactly what the problem is to the
firewall manufacturer so they can fix it. I have read (several times) The
Master Server Protocol located here:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Master_Server_Query_Protocol and
numerous other documents. I understand what should be happening, just not
sure why it isn't.
Previously, I had a Sonicwall Pro 230 and all the servers showed up fine
from the LAN using NAT and similar rules. I upgraded for better performance
and more features, plus regular updates. They stopped supporting the older
one.
I hope this is clear enough to follow. Let me know what needs clarification.
I hope that this can help others that may have issues with servers showing
up the SMSL as well.
Mike ParaDOX
www.paradisesgarage.com
_______________________________________________
To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please
visit:
http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
