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Gaming on Mountain Cable

Port blocking? what leads you to that belief?

My friend is on Mountain Cable and his PS3 connects just fine

They block several ports, it is on their website and they confirmed it in an e-mail to me. I also did a search on a port website which showed every port (TCP & UDP) that Fifa 08 game uses was blocked.

All he wants to do is to be able to play FIFA 08 on the PS3 online with his mates in the UK. Each time he tries to host a game it shuts him out and cancels the game. Weird.

Mountaincable tell me that I am required to purchase an additional IP address if I want to connect a game machine (PS3/XBox etc) to the internet or even a 2nd PC. I can't believe they charge extra for this! Cogeco allow up to 4 PC's networked on the modem.

Anyone else got any ideas please? He is getting very frustrated!
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I have bad habits...

I would understand having an additional IP for a game console but for a 2nd PC you just need a router. Maybe if you connect the PS3 through a router. You probably already tried it but that's all I can think of. Is it possible to change the port on the console?

reply to siouxie
What are the needed ports for the PS3?

Are you using a router? If so, have you forwarded the ports in the router?

I highly doubt the PS3 is using FTP or SMTP ports..

Also, I have gotten a 2nd IP from the modem when using the USB & Ethernet interfaces simultaneously.

Edit:

Ok so I looked into the ports required for the PS3 and only 1 port used by the PS3 is *blocked*, port 80. The block is only for hosting an HTTP server, and from reading, the PS3 only uses port 80 for web browsing, and would not be affected by Mountain Cable blocking that port.
Source: »playstation.custhelp.com/cgi-bin···opview=1

I also looked at FIFA 08's required ports and a rep from EA has advised that UDP ports 3659, 6000, and 9570 are required, none of which are being blocked by Mountain Cable.
Source: »forums.electronicarts.co.uk/fifa···ps3.html

I also ran a test w/ my firewall off for the SCEA Game Servers and none are blocked except for 80 as mentioned above. Just because ports come back "closed" on a port scan doesn't mean they are being blocked, as seen in the screenshot, a ping reply was received. If the port is being blocked with your firewall off, it would come back stealth.

Firewall OFF

Firewall ON

Thanks - this is all new for me! My son is an experienced gamer with the same system and set up in the UK and has never had this problem before.

I have a Cnet 5 Hub (purchased from MCV) bought on their advice as to what we would need to run the PS3. My son was originally going to buy a router, but they advised the hub.

They are now saying I have to purchase a 2nd IP address if I want to network another computer OR run a game machine online. I found this very strange, particularly as with Cogeco you can network up to 4 computers etc with their modem.

OK - so advice please. Should we return the Hub and buy a Router instead? Should we purchase a 2nd IP address? How do we get a 2nd IP address automatically (without purchasing one)?

Any advice most greatfully received - and thanks for the advice so far.


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I have bad habits...

I don't know why they're still recommending hubs, I would return the hub and get a decent router.

As for Cogeco & 4 devices with their modem, i doubt that since im pretty sure their modems do not have 4 ports.

I have gotten a 2nd IP just by connecting another device by usb to the Arris modem.

reply to siouxie
I don't know why that mountaincable support guy told you that you needed to buy a second IP address for additional computers/game consoles. From my experience they've always been knowledgable and down to earth, not filth spitting retards you find at Bell support. Maybe he's an ex Bell employee?

Anyways, I'd say return that hub and get a router. My personal preference is Linksys as I've had nothing but problems with D-link in the past. My linksys works great for my Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 with no connection problems as long as you set up proper port forwarding. I set my consoles in the DMZ as its easier.

Definately don't buy a second IP address just for a PS3. Router is your best bet.

reply to MikeG
I wasn't meaning that Cogeco have 4 ports on their modem, just that they allow 4 without any extra charges.

According to Cogeco »www.cogeco.com/en/faq_internet_c···n_o.html

Q: Can I hook up more than one computer to my Internet connection?

A: Customers who subscribe to our High Speed Internet residential Standard and Pro packages or Business High Speed packages can connect up to four computers on a network. Our cable modems are automatically configured under these packages to provide IP addresses to the additional computers. All you need to do is purchase a network hub or router and the necessary cabling in order to connect all the computers and devices together. Please note that the COGECO Customer Contact Centre does not provide support for setting up networks.

Thank you all for your very helpful and useful advice, much appreciated.

reply to MikeG

reply to siouxie
Delete please.

reply to siouxie

said by siouxie:

Thanks - this is all new for me! My son is an experienced gamer with the same system and set up in the UK and has never had this problem before.

I have a Cnet 5 Hub (purchased from MCV) bought on their advice as to what we would need to run the PS3. My son was originally going to buy a router, but they advised the hub.

They are now saying I have to purchase a 2nd IP address if I want to network another computer OR run a game machine online. I found this very strange, particularly as with Cogeco you can network up to 4 computers etc with their modem.

OK - so advice please. Should we return the Hub and buy a Router instead? Should we purchase a 2nd IP address? How do we get a 2nd IP address automatically (without purchasing one)?

Any advice most greatfully received - and thanks for the advice so far.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Thanks also for the investigative work by Mike! That's the great thing about DSLReports - people are always willing to help.

We will go and purchase a router tomorrow and return the hub to MCV - hopefully obtaining a refund for it.

I would like to say how impressed I was that MCV Tech department responded within 30 minutes to each e-mail (right up until 10:59 last night!) - a vast improvement on Bell who would take days if they answered at all.


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I have bad habits...