Some General Connection/Connectivity Tips ***IPv4 vs IPv6 Testing Needed***
Apr 15, 2017 15:49:47 GMT
LemurFromTheId, andy_3_913, and 3 more like this
Post by Jeremiah12LGeek on Apr 15, 2017 15:49:47 GMT
Edit: I've added information about the theorized IPv4 vs IPv6 issue suggested as the culprit at the bottom of the OP. We have testable hypothesis for different systems, we just need testers.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
This stuff is very general, and none of it will address issues related to the netcode or servers. It should help minimize any additional issues created by peer-to-peer connections, so hopefully it's useful to people in general.
Router and NAT Settings
A lot of small connectivity issues can be resolved by cycling your router. It's very basic, but it does often help. The standard rule of thumb is to unplug the power at the router (rather than unplugging from the wall.) Wait fifteen seconds, then plug the power cord back into the router, and wait for it to boot up (generally 2-5 minutes, depending.)
It's also good to be sure that your router's NAT settings are as open as possible. There is no universal standard way to do this, as different routers will have different settings in different locations. If you aren't familiar with your router, and don't have much experience making changes to it, it's a good idea to get advice from someone who knows. Your provider may be helpful (but some will charge money for changing router settings on your behalf - free sources of advice exist if you want to do it yourself.)
Trouble Connecting To Specific People
This can be caused by NAT issues on one or both ends. Some version of it can occur on all systems. I'll update this as I dig in the old ME 3 Library for more details, but on PSN it was often possible to get around this by having a third friend host both people. This often (but not always) allows the two with the issue to play with each other, but sometimes they will be unable to text or voice communicate.
Advanced - Opening Ports
If you aren't used to doing this with your router, you may again want to get some advice or help from someone before forging ahead.
Supposedly, EA/BioWare has simplified things so that this time around, all systems use the same ports. Make sure these ports are open (forwarded) -
TCP: 443, 17503, 17504, 10000-19999, 42210, 42130, 42230
UDP: 3659, 10000-19999
Stuff Mostly Out of Your Control
Your connectivity will still be affected by the host's connection, the quality of your own connection, geography (woe be to you if your host lives in Australia) etc. And everything does still need to be connected to the servers, as well, as that is where all players' accounts are updated in real-time. Then there's netcode. The list kind of goes on and on when it comes to stuff you can't really help...
EDIT: A Potentially Testable Theory
There are some theories floating around, and we can test at least one of them.
EA posits that the disconnections are resulting from players connecting with IPv6 addresses playing in lobbies with players connecting using IPv4 addresses. They recommend that the entire community contact their IP providers to find out how to convert to IPv4, which EA believes will standardize peer-to-peer and resolve the issue.
To test their theory, we need four people on the same system with IPv4 connections to play with each other. Similarly, 4 players playing with IPv6 connections could run some games, and record whether they experience any increase/decrease/no change in disconnects compared with their prior random lobby experiences. More than one group testing would be good, so it's mostly a question of people establishing which address type each person is using, and coordinating with each other on that basis.
How to check/Change Setting on PC
Open the Control Panel and search for "adapter."
In your search results under Network and Sharing Center, click View network Connections.
Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
In Properties you should see check boxes for both Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
What EA suggests
If you've been having frequent connectivity problems and IPv6 is checked, uncheck it.
If you've been having frequent connectivity problems and IPv4 isn't checked, check it.
But I would add that to determine more information, before doing what EA suggests, four players who see they have IPv6 checked should play with each other and see if they experience fewer problems, while 4 players whose IPv4 boxes are checked should do the same.
I'm still looking into how one would check/change this on an Xbox or PS 4.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
This stuff is very general, and none of it will address issues related to the netcode or servers. It should help minimize any additional issues created by peer-to-peer connections, so hopefully it's useful to people in general.
Router and NAT Settings
A lot of small connectivity issues can be resolved by cycling your router. It's very basic, but it does often help. The standard rule of thumb is to unplug the power at the router (rather than unplugging from the wall.) Wait fifteen seconds, then plug the power cord back into the router, and wait for it to boot up (generally 2-5 minutes, depending.)
It's also good to be sure that your router's NAT settings are as open as possible. There is no universal standard way to do this, as different routers will have different settings in different locations. If you aren't familiar with your router, and don't have much experience making changes to it, it's a good idea to get advice from someone who knows. Your provider may be helpful (but some will charge money for changing router settings on your behalf - free sources of advice exist if you want to do it yourself.)
Trouble Connecting To Specific People
This can be caused by NAT issues on one or both ends. Some version of it can occur on all systems. I'll update this as I dig in the old ME 3 Library for more details, but on PSN it was often possible to get around this by having a third friend host both people. This often (but not always) allows the two with the issue to play with each other, but sometimes they will be unable to text or voice communicate.
Advanced - Opening Ports
If you aren't used to doing this with your router, you may again want to get some advice or help from someone before forging ahead.
Supposedly, EA/BioWare has simplified things so that this time around, all systems use the same ports. Make sure these ports are open (forwarded) -
TCP: 443, 17503, 17504, 10000-19999, 42210, 42130, 42230
UDP: 3659, 10000-19999
Stuff Mostly Out of Your Control
Your connectivity will still be affected by the host's connection, the quality of your own connection, geography (woe be to you if your host lives in Australia) etc. And everything does still need to be connected to the servers, as well, as that is where all players' accounts are updated in real-time. Then there's netcode. The list kind of goes on and on when it comes to stuff you can't really help...
EDIT: A Potentially Testable Theory
There are some theories floating around, and we can test at least one of them.
EA posits that the disconnections are resulting from players connecting with IPv6 addresses playing in lobbies with players connecting using IPv4 addresses. They recommend that the entire community contact their IP providers to find out how to convert to IPv4, which EA believes will standardize peer-to-peer and resolve the issue.
To test their theory, we need four people on the same system with IPv4 connections to play with each other. Similarly, 4 players playing with IPv6 connections could run some games, and record whether they experience any increase/decrease/no change in disconnects compared with their prior random lobby experiences. More than one group testing would be good, so it's mostly a question of people establishing which address type each person is using, and coordinating with each other on that basis.
How to check/Change Setting on PC
Open the Control Panel and search for "adapter."
In your search results under Network and Sharing Center, click View network Connections.
Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
In Properties you should see check boxes for both Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
What EA suggests
If you've been having frequent connectivity problems and IPv6 is checked, uncheck it.
If you've been having frequent connectivity problems and IPv4 isn't checked, check it.
But I would add that to determine more information, before doing what EA suggests, four players who see they have IPv6 checked should play with each other and see if they experience fewer problems, while 4 players whose IPv4 boxes are checked should do the same.
I'm still looking into how one would check/change this on an Xbox or PS 4.
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