Guide: Decrease Game Search Time and Connection Issues with Friends | Forums

[marq08]

Part of the problem for many people finding a game quickly in this matchmaking system is the same thing. You either have a closed or moderate NAT or you do not have your Xbox consoles country configured correctly.

First things first, if you want to play with minimal lag and quicker search times do everyone a favor and don't lie about what country you are in just set it correctly. (Note: I've been informed that this changes language and other settings for some regions. If this is the case set it to the country nearest you with the desired language/regional settings for optimal results.)

Also go ahead and download the DLC. It's free and the majority of players have it. If you don't have it you can't play with people who do.

The following router configuration changes should be only done if your are confident with your routers settings - if you alter the wrong setting, it can make your router unable to connect at all.

This guide is provided as is, is written by a user and is not to be considered the the official Ubisoft fix for this issue - please contact Ubisoft Support if you have any questions.

Using a DMZ should be considered as a last resort - doing it incorrectly can leave PC's connected to your network at risk from outside attacks - so make sure those PC's have either a hardware or software firewall for protection. so do the following at your own risk!

You maybe able to obtain open NAT status using UPnP - so please try that before attempting to set a DMZ up - details on how to enable UPnP should be in your routers user manual - or contact your ISP

Now as to fixing your NAT problem. (Note: I'm going to use the standard fix found at the Microsoft website which enables DMZ on your router. While this is optimal the step for enabling DMZ is optional and not all routers support it.)

Step 1: Get your Xbox 360's IP address. From the system blade choose network settings, then edit settings should show your Xbox's IP.

Step 2: Go into your routers configuration window thru your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox...) In the address bar type in your routers IP address. To find the IP address of your router go into the network settings of the xbox. View the settings and there will be a bit that says "default gateway" or "gateway" and it will be an IP address. This is under your "IP address" and "subnet mask".
This IP address listed as Default Gateway is ALWAYS your router. When you're prompted for a password you have to type it in. If you haven't changed it the username and password should both be admin, and admin otherwise the defaults for many router types can be found on the web.

(Note: Attempt to use just Steps 3&4 or just Step 5 first. If this does not help then try all three. Remember the above warning about DMZ and be aware that this does remove firewall protection from your Xbox opening it to all outside traffic.)

Step 3: USING DMZ When you enter into your router config window, you need to find the Tab DMZ, it should be under applications and gaming if you are using Linksys. Once you find the DMZ tab, click enable and type in the last digits of your XBOX into the box below.
<MAKE SURE YOU SAVE SETTINGS>

Step 4:Using Port Fowarding After you have enabled DMZ, find the Port Fowarding tab, should be under advanced routing. For the name type in XBL or whatever you want, and for port range put 87 to 89, choose UDP, then your XBOX last digits, and enable. Then do 3073 to 3075 choose TCP, then your XBOX last digits, and enable. Then again do 3073 to 3075 choose UDP, then your XBOX last digits, and enable.
<MAKE SURE YOU SAVE SETTINGS>

Step 5:Using UPnP This is just incase and is generally not needed if DMZ is activated (and vice versa) some routers however (like my own D-Link) seem to require both be active. Go into UPnP fowarding and enter in the same stuff you did for Step 4.
<MAKE SURE YOU SAVE SETTINGS>

Step 6: Now logout of your router config. Unplug your router and modem from the power, then plug in the router 1st, wait 30 seconds. Then plug in the modem and wait at least 2 minutes. If you don't do these hard restarts it might not work!

Step 7: Restart your Xbox and go to the system blade, choose network settings, then test connection. This may take a bit, but when it gets down to NAT type it should say OPEN. If not, sorry. You can just undo all the settings we changed, you can just uncheck enabled on the port fowarding. or if you want to restore your router to the factory defaults just push the reset button on the back of it.

Originally posted by QuickBrittle:

I'm on PS3 and I was having disconnection problems from the Ubisoft server in the multiplayer probably 80% of the time. Ubisoft support told me to open ports 80, 21300, 21305, 21310, 21315, 21320, and 21325 on my wireless router. Haven't disconnected once since I did it.

This may work for Xbox and PS3 users alike if you want to try opening these ports. UPNP however should create a general port forward as the server is accessed via these ports.

[obliviondoll]

Other than step 2, which is VERY variable depending on the brand of router, the instructions are fairly good. Also similar, though obviously not the same, as the process would be for PS3.

Anyone reasonably tech-savvy should be able to work out what to do from those directions regardless of console. And if you're not reasonably tech savvy, then get someone who is before trying to play ANY games online.

[marq08]

Originally posted by obliviondoll:
Other than step 2, which is VERY variable depending on the brand of router, the instructions are fairly good. Also similar, though obviously not the same, as the process would be for PS3.

Anyone reasonably tech-savvy should be able to work out what to do from those directions regardless of console. And if you're not reasonably tech savvy, then get someone who is before trying to play ANY games online.

Yeah I'm aware step two blows but it's so variable that I couldn't list all the possibilities

[obliviondoll]

Originally posted by marq08:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by obliviondoll:
Other than step 2, which is VERY variable depending on the brand of router, the instructions are fairly good. Also similar, though obviously not the same, as the process would be for PS3.

Anyone reasonably tech-savvy should be able to work out what to do from those directions regardless of console. And if you're not reasonably tech savvy, then get someone who is before trying to play ANY games online.

Yeah I'm aware step two blows but it's so variable that I couldn't list all the possibilities </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Just thought I should make sure the comment was in there in a polite manner instead of "your instructions [censored] suck because you [censored] told me the wrong IP address for my [censored] router! GTFO n00b!"

Which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Actually, won't be too surprised if someone comes in and says that anyway.

Idiots.

EDIT: See? Post below mine just proved me right

[FKNLunatick]

[sarcasm]Your instructions [censored] suck because you [censored] told me the wrong IP address for my [censored] router! GTFO n00b![/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, great idea OP.

[mpagano411]

I think this is worthy of being stickied to the forums. It's a post that will offer guidance to do-it-yourselfers to help connectivity across the community. The only possible outcome is a mutually advantageous one.

[Gruppeklem]

Absolutely worth a sticky!

Maybe this will reduce the amount of "Matchmaking sucks" threads !

[Coolgerb]

Originally posted by marq08:First things first, if you want to play with minimal lag and quicker search times do everyone a favor and don't lie about what country you are in just set it correctly.

Ubisoft forces Dutch people to change their locale to United Kingdom. Otherwise we're stuck with ****ed up Dutch everywhere, instead of English.

[mpagano411]

Bumping this to keep it up there. If this post isn't worthy of a sticky, I'm not sure what the purpose of sticky posts would be.

Please review and stick this post to the top of the forum. It precludes well over half of the rants and complaints on the forums. At the very least, it will filter out those for whom it is a true solution.

[QuickBrittle]

I will add this to the equation:

I'm on PS3 and I was having disconnection problems from the Ubisoft server in the multiplayer probably 80% of the time. Ubisoft support told me to open ports 80, 21300, 21305, 21310, 21315, 21320, and 21325 on my wireless router. Haven't disconnected once since I did it.