Alternative to Hamachi: Opensource and no network limits!

[pieterbaarlo]

Hello!

After reading several threads about hamachi, i noted that you use Hamachi very often for matches.
The only problem is that networks are very quickly full, and nobody really administrate them.
This results in several threads with hamachi-network names & passwords which is very inconveniant.

Therefore i wanted you to know about a new vpn tool on the block called n2n.
n2n is a opensource layer2 p2p-vpn tool created by the guys at ntop.org.



* diagram of a n2n network with 2 supernodes.



Unlike hamachi, n2n doesnt have a spiffy gui or contact lists.
n2n is very minimalistic, without bells and whistles, it gives only the needed network functionality and it works everytime.

I have setup a n2n supernode on my linux-server at the datacenter, and hooked up a dhcp-server in the vpn network.

This means that everybody can join the network without any configuration. Every user gets a class c ipadress, and can join/leave whenever they like without "full networks or Network administration" problems.
Now you can be connected with the vpn with 2-254 people, who are playing several silent hunter sessions, which you could browse and join anytime!

However, per network the dhcp can issue 254 ipadresses which means there can be a maximum of 254 concurrent users. (which should be enough )

If there is some handy ict-guy here at subsim, you could setup your own supernode and have your own private lan.
Untill then, you could try my pre-configured n2n vpn client.
There is a downside. public vpns are risky so always have a firewall enabled.

I have packed up a complete new version which you can download here:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~igrabo/hell/HK...layerLanV2.rar

To use the tool, you must installs a TAP adapter which is located in the /drivers/ folder.

feel free to test it out.
i hope this solution will finally put an end to your hamachi network madness.

Cheers,

pieter


Official n2n homepage : http://www.ntop.org/n2n/
Compiled Windows version : http://www.xs4all.nl/~igrabo/hell/HK...layerLanV2.rar

note: if you wonder why i am promoting this tool, it because i spend the last week bugtracking n2n for windows.
by finding & fixing a few bugs in n2n, i never have to create/share hamachi networks again!
Next to that, n2n just kicks all the competition's butt!

!! UPDATE !!
Added vista x64 compatibility! - manually install the TAP adapter.
Added Profiles for custom networks. - now you can create & host a network yourself!



!! UPDATE 2 !!

The installations is essentially 2 steps.

1 :: Install a virtual network adapter - also known as a TAP-Adapter. If you already have some sort of TAP adapter installed (beside Hamachi), you can skip this step. ( many VPN programs use virtual network adapters like OpenVPN or other opensource vpn packages. )

2 :: Start our VPNtool, right-click on connect, and click on the connect button.

3 :: Start your favorite game, goto the LAN gamelobby and host or join a game.

Okey, that's 3 steps but that last one doesnt really count huh?


!! UPDATE 3 !!


We noticed that Windows Vista has some problems with installing the tap-adapter.
Therefore i describe the most fail-safe install instructions per Operating System.

Howto install:


Download this : http://www.xs4all.nl/~igrabo/hell/HK...layerLanV2.rar


:: Windows XP

Unpack the Rar-file.
Open the directory /drivers/ and click on 'Addtap.bat'
This should start the installation of a virtual ethernet adapter.
Accept the hardware installation and you are good to go.


:: Windows Vista x86/x64

Download:
http://www.openvpn.net/release/openv...15-install.exe
Start openvpn-2.1_rc15-install.exe as administrator.
When asked what components to install, choose ONLY the
'TAP Virtual Ethernet Adapter'
So, untick all options and select only the 'TAP Virtual Ethernet Adapter' and click next.
The installer will add new hardware, which you should allow to install.
When this installer exits, download and unpack the file HK_MultiplayerLanV2.rar to a location of your choice.

:: Start VPN

start hellskitchen.exe and a tray icon appear. right-click on connect, and click on the connect button.
You should now be connected to the public vpn.

:: Start Gaming

If your friends are connected too, fireup your favorite lan-game and start playing lan games online!

:: Notice

The tool is in essence a network-adapter. Firewalls or other protection software might need reconfiguration ( opening ports ) to successfully see lan game-sessions.

[owner20071963]

Thank you pieterbaarlo,
that is a Tool we are currently
looking at for Lan Solutions,
for Silent Hunter 3 and 4,
we will keep you posted on
the tests which we will start soon

[Graf Paper]

Although I see nothing wrong with n2n itself, at least in theory, I cannot give any endorsement to your EPC-Virtual Multiplayer Lan client.

This software should be considered alpha quality, unstable and untested at best.

In fact, I strongly caution anyone considering using this application to only do so if they have a good working knowledge of how network adapters and LAN connections work in Windows as well as good trouble-shooting skills when things inevitably go wrong.

Although it is appreciated that you have gone to the trouble, your installer is flawed and faulty, pieterbaarlo. In testing this, there have been issues reported with firewall conflicts, broken network connectivity, and system instabilities.

Serious compatibility issues are reported for Vista 64-bit and you should avoid attempting to install this application if this is your OS.

When uninstalling EPC-Virtual Multiplayer Lan, neither the virtual network adapter nor the network connection it creates to use with it are uninstalled. They remain behind despite the application itself being removed.

Fix the uninstaller so it completely removes all traces, without breaking the user's regular network connectivity or firewall application. Make sure there is an acceptable compatibility with the user's existing network adapter/connection and any security software they have implemented. Provide better documentation for less tech-savvy players to properly and more easily use the client. Include an explicit disclaimer and warning about the security risks with opening their systems up to an unrestricted network.

It would also help if there was a similarly packaged server application. Most people just want to play their game, not spend hours or days figuring out how to set up a DHCP server under Apache.

For all of you kaleuns and skippers here...Use at your own risk.

[pieterbaarlo]

If people have a issue, it would be nice to have it reported.
this way i can work on the issues, and hopefully resolve them.

let me make a few things clear :

1. The TAP adapter is from the OPENVPN package. ( there are some vista 64 issues afaik )
2. the DHCP server & network is a service provided by me.
3. the Gui is only a gui written in realbasic, and a frontend to the following tools.
4. the n2n core is created by ntop.org
5. forcebindip is created by r1ch.net

There have been issues reported with firewall conflicts

The program adds a Network adapter, and doesnt touch the firewall settings.
i would like a detailed writeup of what happened, and with what fw software.

broken network connectivity

The software is tested on 14 different configs, and none suffered from broken connections.
This is probably possible when a network-gateway is set by the DHCP, or the wrong network adapter removed. (note: NEVER enable a gateway by dhcp on the network. this ends up in all traffic routed thru the gateway ip.)
Again, for this specific problem is the same rule : more details are welcome.

system instabilities.

The TAP adapter is a 'stale' disconnected device, which is only active when an 'edge' process runs. this process is responsible for the VPN connection. the GUI is a plain realbasic .exe which can be shut down when not needed.
What kind of system instability are you talking about? - bluescreens? and on what OS.
This information is important to resolve the problems.

Fix the uninstaller so it completely removes all traces, without breaking the user's regular network connectivity or firewall application. Make sure there is an acceptable compatibility with the user's existing network adapter/connection and any security software they have implemented. Provide better documentation for less tech-savvy players to properly and more easily use the client. Include an explicit disclaimer and warning about the security risks with opening their systems up to an unrestricted network.

Arrrrr! that installer was a quicky. im sorry!
although i updated the installer, i havent checked the removed files.
Before the end of this day, i will check and fix the installer where i can.
Ofcourse you must understand that im only doing this for fun and as a hobby. im human too - forgive my flaws.

It would also help if there was a similarly packaged server application. Most people just want to play their game, not spend hours or days figuring out how to set up a DHCP server under Apache.

Pls note that the Apache webserver does not have anything to do with dhcp.
But i understand what you mean. this is why i setup a server in the first place.
Although i havent compiled the supernode code for windows, this will inevitablity happen.
Please keep in mind that the supernode is ONLY a mediator, where you register your network community.
If you want to know how to bind dhcp on a edge node in linux :

edge -d n2n0 -c mynetworkname -k mynetworkpass -a mydhcpserverip -l supernodeip:supernodeport 
dhcpd n2n0

(* where n2n0 is the network adapter name )

You could use my supernode, and choose a complete seperate network.
this however, implies that you use static ip's - or run a DHCP server on 1 node.

Alternatively if you want to help and test, i could setup a seperate private network for subsim with dhcp where only subsim people have the password.

Also, I could add a small opensource DHCP server to the client, which allows you to create your own private network with dhcp whenever you choose ( on windows )


--

All in all, im very happy that you guys took the time in testing a bit.
The only thing im missing is : Did you guys succeeded in playin sh3/4 via the lan?
I know sh3-4 works, as i play regularly with my uncle thru it.

Today i will check the installer, and add a small opensource DHCP server in the tools package which enables you to create a small private network.
You still have to use my supernode, or the one from www.vpnhosting.cz ( i know my supernode has low load, and is located in DE )

*** UPDATE 30-9-2009 ***

updated installer & gui released. See forum attachement for new version.
this version has a more stabile connection due to use of 'unique' mac adress & outgoing upd port.

Added : auto macadress setting (clones the mac from a real network adapter to the vpn mac), preferences screen and added some options to the connection log ( verbose logging and used edge cmdline options )
-
*** UPDATE 29-9-2009 ***

New installer & gui released. See forum attachement for new version.
Added : Connection Log, gui for ForceBindIP.
Removed : old gui + settings.
-

UNTILL THERE IS A PROPER VISTA 64BIT TAP ADAPTER FOR OPENVPN, THIS TOOL IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH VISTA64


If there are people that dont wanna use my tool, or is looking for Hamachi alternatives, here is a small list of vpntools.
http://virtualmultiplayerlan.blogspo...lacements.html



regards,

Pieter



*UPDATE*************************

I have a few versions of the Vista 64/32 Tap-adapters, but i dont have any xp64 to test with.
i would greatly appreceate if someone would want to test them out. - send me an pm if interested.

[pieterbaarlo]

Hello people!

* notice *
If you not a expirience windows user, you might wanna quit reading and start playing games.

*

If you are not having a problem with testing BETA software, read on.

i have updated my installer with drivers for vista 64.

The installer will not install a TAP device.
This has to be done by hand. see the shortcuts for specific versions.

Furthermore the preferences allow you to host your own network, using my supernode.
This will activate a small DHCP server. ( dont install dhcp as service when doing this.)
After that, you have a complete secure and private network with DHCP server which can hold 255 computers

The security is as secure as you like it to be. you decide to pass the login details.
i hope you like the improvements, and i'll be back in a few days to checkout if there are issues.

The download link is in the first post.

[Graf Paper]

pieter, you're definitely on the right track with using a GUI and the simple one you have created for the EPC client is already very good.

I hope you understand that at least 90% of the players who would use this client use Windows exclusively. Also, you must assume that the average user can install and use software but not possess the skill or desire to learn anything more technical than "point-and-click".

I do not know the exact details, but the following have been reported back to me:

• Kapersky Security Suite is broken when the EPC client is uninstalled in Windows XP. This might be more an issue with Kapersky as many AV suites tend to entwine themselves too deeply into Windows as it is.
• Vista 64 will not allow installation of the virtual network adapter.
• The uninstaller is non-functional with Vista 64.
• Windows XP SP2 becomes unstable, resulting in frequent system lockups after the EPC client is uninstalled normally. User has reported similar problems prior to this but it seems uninstalling the client exacerbated these issues.
• Connectivity issues with Windows XP. The virtual network adapter seems to "confuse" Windows as to which network connection should be in use for primary internet connection.

It would be very useful if more specifics can be given. Users who have reported troubles, please give details of exactly what occurred along with the following:

• Operating System version: Windows XP, Vista, or Vista 64? Specify service pack.
• System Hardware: Make and model# for motherboard, video card, sound card, network card (many motherboards have this built in), etc.
• Hardware Drivers: Version numbers for video card, sound card, etc.
• Security Software: This means especially firewalls, antivirus, and network security apps.

You heard the man, folks!

Report your experiences and any problems you have had with the EPC-Virtual Multiplayer LAN Client.

For those of you willing to take the risk and know what you're doing, this is an opportunity to have a hand in creating a multiplayer client that has great potential!

Let's help him make it better!

[pieterbaarlo]

Thank you very much for the details.

i'll lock myself up for a few days, and report back.

[Graf Paper]

What news, pieter?

Haven't heard a peep out of you in nearly three weeks.

[pieterbaarlo]

Hi guys,

i have been away for a while, due to a sickness in the family.
This next week, i will release a thouroghly tested version of the Multiplayer-lan tool. ( which works on vistax64 too! )

expect more news before friday!

[owner20071963]

Thank you pieterbaarlo,
Wish your family well,
Looking forward to the Multiplayer- Lan tool,
Vista 64bit too?
A great step forward

[pieterbaarlo]

!! UPDATE !!
Added vista x64 compatibility! - manually install the TAP adapter.
Added Profiles for custom networks. - now you can create & host a network yourself!

This version uses no installer/setup!

http://www.xs4all.nl/~igrabo/hell/HK...layerLanV2.rar

Howto install:

1 - Make sure you have a TAP adapter installed, or install the tapadapter with addtap.bat in the /drivers/ folder. ( Vista users must have admin rights to install this hardware )
2 - start hellskitchen.exe

[Graf Paper]

Thank you for continuing to work upon and improve your project, pieter!

Perhaps we can find some volunteers at ComSubsPac to help test this. It would be very helpful if you were able to discuss any, bugs, issues, and problems directly with the testers. Would you be willing to log in to our TeamSpeak server and using a microphone to talk to our members, if we can find enough volunteers to test the software?

I hope all is well with the family and look forward to seeing more of you here at Subsim!

[pieterbaarlo]

yes, but later tonight.

i have to go visit the hospital in 40 minutes.

a quick howto:

Connect to the epcgaming network ( or create a new one with the same supernodeip/port and Share the login-details with your friends )

Start playing lan-games.
its really that easy!

[pieterbaarlo]

Aaaah! last night was great!

Props to all the people that helped testing the lan-tool.
Unfortunatly not everything worked like it should, but we are on the right road.

1. we got the vistax64 installation figured out.
2. we have problems 'seeing' eachothers lan games, which needs more investigation.

My best guess is that there is something wrong with the udp broadcasting.

UPDATE: I have setup a permanent vanilla SH3 game, which should be visible in the LAN LOBBY.
this might help out testing, as it should be visible to all users of the lan-tool.


to Graf peper :
i will modify the client so it saves log-files in verbose mode.
Can we try test again with static ip's today to ruleout the dhcp server.


/me will digg into (fragmented) UDP packets & network broadcasting

thanks for helping sailors!


I'll keep this post updated while i dump my brainfarts, other technical nonsense and wild ideas below this line.
-------------------------------------------------------------
(taken from hamachi wiki : http://logmeinwiki.com/wiki/Hamachi:Gaming_over_Hamachi )

Re-prioritize your network adapter order:
For XP/2000: Start > Control Panel > Network Connections, then, on the menu bar, click Advanced > Advanced Settings and put the VPN adapter at the top of the list.
For Vista: Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, then, on the left side panel, click on 'Manage Network Connections'. Now press Alt, click on Advanced > Advanced Settings and put the VPN adapter at the top of the list.

If you're running Vista disable TCP/IPv6 (untick it in the VPN adapter's properties)

If you're running Vista ensure that VPN adapter appears in the 'Network and Sharing Center' as a 'Private Network' .
If it doesn't, then press customize and set it to 'Private Network'.


Configure the gateway and metrics:
In Network Connections right click on theVPN adapter > Properties, select TCP/IP(v4) > Properties > Advanced. Ensure that the default gateway is 192.168.200.1, if not, then add/edit it and set its metric to Automatic (this is the Gateway Metric).
Below 'Default gateways' tick 'Automatic metric' (this is the Interface Metric).

Quick notice: Some users have reported that their internet connection fails when the VPN is turned on. Removing the VPN gateway (192.168.200.1) should resolve the problem. It is not known why this is happening, but it might be the ISP's fault. Entering a Gateway Metric manually (for example, the default "1500") can restore the internet connection, but gaming functionality may still not be available.


Another problem (usually with the Vista x64 editions) might be the fact that your routing table hasn't been flushed since installing the VPN adapter.
You can correct this by opening the command prompt (just type cmd in start > run...), then type route print and if you can't see 255.255.255.255 in the IPv4 Route Table type route -f and reboot. This might fix your problem.
If you get the error The requested operation requires elevation, ensure that your account has administrative privileges and UAC (in Windows Vista) is turned off.





technical info + possible fixes
----------------------------------------------------

Large UDP broadcast packets may not be received in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824838

Windows XP incorrectly forwards UDP broadcast packets
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835979

Q:my laptop will not broadcast packets back to the loopback device
A:you can easily find the fix if you search for "disable windows media sense"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239924

Test UDP connections between machines : http://www.pcausa.com/Utilities/pcattcp.htm or http://www.simplecomtools.com/udptesttool.html



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Capture SH3 traffic : http://aluigi.altervista.org/mytoolz/proxocket.zip
dump ws2_32.dll and wsock32.dll in your SH4 Directory, and it will create network capture files of sh3.exe

[owner20071963]

Thank you pieter,
did the above,
yep last night was tough testing this,
but worth the effort
we will be on later to test it,
I'm sure we will resolve the issue for XP & Vista
See you on TeamSpeak then