Unable to connect to any server during the evening

[Killer123]

Hello
From around the time of 5PM until 11PM I cannot connect to any BZFlag server, it just says "Trying to Connect" but nothing ever happens. I am still able to see the server list and browse the internet. My ISP is Pipex Homecall and I am using a NETGEAR DG834G Router connected through an ethernet cable. I have a 512kbps broadband connection, I am running Windows XP and BZFlag version 2.0.8.
Any ideas?
Thanks

[tw1sted]

It might be something with your router. I know BZFlag has had many weird problems with routers. try opening ports 00001 - 99999 for bzflag (all ports allowed)


(correct me if im wrong)

[CannonBallGuy]

1. Yeah, opening ALL ports for no reason is great security...
2. Ports should not need to be open to play, Killer123 isn't trying to host here.
3. The problem only occurs at certain times of the day, so it's unlikely that his router is allowing him to play at one point but not another.

[GMMan]

Maybe it's something with your Internet connection. I remember someone having high lag or something before in the forums if you're using cable. Try calling your ISP.

[CannonBallGuy]

There was no mention of lag in the original post, doesn't seem likely that calling the ISP would help.

[Davy Jones]

During the evening, Are you able to connect to an IP of the server?

I used to have this problem until i switched my ISP, the only get around was to ping the server hostname and typing in the IP manually, best of luck

[Killer123]

I have tried all of the above but still getting no luck.
Could it be anything to do with the ISP being heavily used at that time?

[JeffM]

yes it can. That is what is known as "prime time". if your on cable, or some other shared bandwidth system, then that is your peak load times and your network connection is probably flooded.

also check if there is any other computer on your home network that may be using a lot of bandwidth.

[Killer123]

I seem to have found out my lag is higher in the evening. Could this be the problem? Is there any way I can reduce my lag at this time?

[JeffM]

the lag is probably from your ISP. if it is, there is nothing you can do to reduce your lag.

lag is simply the time it takes for a network packet to get from you to the server. if your network is congested then there are no "settings" or changes you can personally make to free up network bandwidth. Unless you are the cause of the network traffic. Then simply stop flooding out your connection

If there are other computers that share your connection, see what they are doing and if it's eating up your bandwith.

[Killer123]

I am only running one computer on my network while playing BZFlag so looks like there is nothing I can do. I am in the process of changing ISP so hopefully this should resolve the problem.

[snick]

Hello
From around the time of 5PM until 11PM I cannot connect to any BZFlag server, it just says "Trying to Connect" but nothing ever happens. I am still able to see the server list and browse the internet. My ISP is Pipex Homecall and I am using a NETGEAR DG834G Router connected through an ethernet cable. I have a 512kbps broadband connection, I am running Windows XP and BZFlag version 2.0.8.
Any ideas?
Thanks

Given what you have written, it's very hard to know what the cause
could be. You might ask Pipex if they define 5pm-11pm as the peak
usage period and use traffic shaping/port blocking then.

Good luck,

Snick.