Force client ip
MLdonkey gives the user a great deal of customization to select what internet address is seen by other computers running MLdonkey, and other compatible p2p server and servent software. Related options are:
- client_ip in downloads.ini (default is: changes automatically to whatever the last detected public interface IP address is or if force_client_ip is set to true, whatever client_ip is manually set to).
- force_client_ip in downloads.ini (default is false).
- use_server_ip setting in donkey.ini (default is true).
- force_high_id in donkey.ini (default is false).
For people who have questions: Most p2p applications determine the internet (IP) address of the network they are running on by looking at the IP address assigned to the interfaces (I.E. ethernet card or wireless connection) on the local computer.
Most of the time, however, the address begins with 192.168 or 10 (inside, or private addresses). These addresses are not directly accessible by other computers on the internet. Most users with a broadband connection, also have a router either built-in to the provider's hardware, or as a separate piece of hardware, situated between the broadband hardware and the computer. The router will usually have the publicly accessible (outside) IP assigned to it. Using the instructions that came with your hardware (to view your router's status information), you can see the public IP. This is the IP that other computers know you by, and the one that MLdonkey needs to be sending to other computers. Make a note of what the public IP address is.
When logging into the donkey or overnet network, and other p2p networks, if there is no way (no route) for traffic reaching your public interface to reach your computer, you will have trouble connecting to other p2p servents and downloading files. To enhance the ability to share information with MLdonkey, again follow the instructions that came with your hardware to allow traffic reaching your hardware's public IP to be forwarded to your computer's private IP. Consult your documentation.
The next step is to tell your MLdonkey application to send your hardware's public IP address out to other computers.
Warning: If you are new to the internet, you should have some competent firewall software installed on your PC, and only forward the ports needed for mldonkey to work. Failure to follow these directions could open your computer up to malicious activity. The author of this document nor anyone else except you cannot be held liable for the information presented, and the information provided is done so without warranty of any kind.
When force_client_ip is false, MLdonkey determines its own client_ip.
use_server_ip = true in donkey.ini (the default) causes mldonkey/mlnet to detect automatically what the public IP address of your network is. MLdonkey sends the public IP address out.
When you have identified this is working correctly (servers routinely give you a HighID), then you can try changing the force_high_id setting to true. With a correctly setup network, some servers will give out LowID's, force_high_id = true prevents this.
Only, if for -some reason-, this is not working, then: %%% Set force_client_ip = true %%% Set client_ip = Your public IP address
Warning, if you choose to force_client_ip: If you have a dynamic public IP address (most people), you have to manually change the client_ip value every time your public IP address is changed by your ISP. If this is PPPOE, it could be every time you log in or connect to the internet. So avoid using this setting.
If you're running MLdonkey on several computers, choose different ports for each one, and map their ports separately.