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DC++ Active-passive mode.


So what's wrong with passive mode?
In passive mode you can only make outbound connections to other users, not inward.
All searches and search results are be sent through the hub itself, slowing it down.
You will get only 5 search hits for a passive mode user.
In Passive mode you can't download from other passive users.
Passive mode is an extra strain on hubs, so please don't use it unless you must.
Users in passive mode will have M:P in their DC++ tag.

What about Active mode?
Active mode allows both inbound and outbound connections direct to other users.
While all searches are still done through the hub, the search results come direct to you from active users, but through the hub for passive users.
Active users can download from either active or passive users, so can connect to a much larger group of people.
There is no difference in speed between active or passive modes.

Setting up active mode.
Active mode requires both TCP and UDP access on the same port incoming and all ports outgoing for DC++ to work properly.

If you DON'T have a router:
* Click on File and then Settings then Connection Settings.
* Select the Direct Connection radio button.
* Leave the IP fields blank. This makes DC++ use the current IP assigned to your network card. You must not have an internal IP address for this to work.
* Leave the TCP/UDP/TLS ports blank also. This makes DC++ randomize the port it uses each time.
* Leave the Outgoing Connection settings set to Direct Connection. Click ok.
* You may need to allow DC++ in your software firewall. Consult its documentation on how to do this.
* Test active mode by joining several hubs and doing a search. You should get some results.
If not you are probably behind a router, have an internal IP address, or haven't properly configured your software firewall.

If you ARE using a router:
If your router and computer are UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) compatible, and most are these days, just tick the UpnP box in connection settings. All done.

If you don't have UPnP, or it doesn't work, follow these steps.
** First, you need to set up your router to open a connection (a port) to your computer. This is called port mapping, port redirecting, port forwarding or something like that. Find out how to do this with your router in the routers user manual.
** You need to 'forward' (to open) one port in your router. Select a number between 1024 and 65535. Make sure that both UDP and TCP are selected on the port number you choose. Write the number down.
** The IP that you are forwarding to should be the internal IP address of your computer. It will usually begin with "192.168.xxx.xxx" or "172.16.xxx.xxx" or "10.xxx.xxx.xxx"
To find it, go to the computers command prompt and type: ipconfig. So, go to (Start Menu | Run | cmd /k ipconfig)
In Windows 7, go to Start, type in CMD then click cmd.exe up top. Type in ipconfig. The IPv4 figure is your computers IP.
** When you have finished mapping a port in the router, go into the DC++ program, click on File, then Settings. Click on Connection Settings.
** Select Firewall with manual port forwarding.
** In the port fields, enter the port number that you setup on the router. You did write it down?
** In the External / WAN IP field, you need to enter the external IP address of your router. Some DC++ programs will check it for you.
** Leave the Outgoing Connection settings on Direct Connection. Click ok.
** Active mode should now be working. If it is working for a while, but the next time you use DC++ you only get Connection Timeouts or no results when searching, your IP (either external or internal) is likely to have changed.
If you find the external IP is constantly changing (DSL users often experience this), you can set yourself up with a dynamic name (i.e. myname.kicks-ass.net), such as Dynip or DynDns and put that name into the External / WAN IP field. Make sure to use an update client, which will update the dynamic name service with your latest IP.
* When troubleshooting, if you have properly forwarded a port to DC++, use www.canyouseeme.org Make sure DC++ is open, then from the site, enter in the port you're forwarding and click Check. If everything has been properly set up, the site should say Success. If you get Error, then you need to double-check the port forwarding on the router, DC++ settings and possibly your software firewall settings.

What about Zone Alarm?
It corrupts data. You need to fully uninstall it, as disabling it will not help. Then get another firewall.


Windows XP
*Service Pack 1: It's strongly recommended that you do NOT use the SP1 firewall, but instead use a third party one. Be sure to disable the XP firewall if you do choose this option. If you really must use it, then checkout this guide on how to set it up. Remember, you need both TCP & UDP.

*Service Pack 2: The firewall in SP2 is a lot more robust than its original incarnation. While it does not offer a plethora of options, it's suitable to use by itself for protection. It's wise to enable logging of packets that the firewall drops for troubleshooting applications. To do this go to Control Panel / Windows Firewall / Advanced Tab / Security Logging / Settings. Enable 'Log Dropped Packets'. The log file is located at C:\WINDOWS\firewall.log.

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