Developer Forum

Hello,

I am having trouble making a video connection between two XP SP1 machines.
Facts are as follows:

Both camera's are in working order on either side.
XP Machine 1 is NOT on a router, and does not have ICF running (for testing
purposes only)
XP Machine 2 IS behind a router and I have made the following port entries
on the router:

I have opened port 6901 for TCP and UDP and forwarded it to the appropriate
computer that needs the connection, to no avail. I set up a similar
configuration for PCAnywhere (Using different ports) with success.

XP Machine 2 connects to the net via a Speedstream 5660 DSL Modem/Router
that I cannot find ANY information for on the web. Siemens and Speedstream
don't have anything on this unit on their website. In any event, I cannot
ascertain if this router is uPnP compatible, and would it matter if it was
if I were forwarding properly?

Is there any other PORT that can/should be used for Video conferencing with
MSN Messenger 4.7? Am I missing anything obvious?

Many thanks for any input.
Jeff

Greetings Jeff,

Port 6901 has nothing to do with voice/video conversations, this port was used by MSN
Messenger 3.x only, a version of Messenger that won't even connect to the Messenger service
today. As of Windows Messenger 4.x and MSN Messenger 4.x+ (6.x ' *** ' support is slightly
different), the ports used are 5004 through 65535 (UDP).

Yes it would matter -- you cannot simply forward the ports and have it work (unless the
router has some type of built-in Messenger support, which is unlikely), in fact, forwarding
the ports in many cases will stop UPnP support from working. Since UPnP will automatically
open and forward the ports, there is no need for any configuration with proper UPnP support.

However, as far as I can tell, the Speedstream 5660 does not support UPnP, and as such, you
will not be able to have a voice/video conversation without third-party support such as
RealTunnel ( http://www.yqcomputer.com/ ) or ENat for Messenger
( http://www.yqcomputer.com/ ).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.yqcomputer.com/
Messenger Resources - http://www.yqcomputer.com/

Jonathan - thanks so much for your response.

One other question, if the 5660 DID have UPnP support, would I just need to
open one port between 5004 and 65535? Is that the rule?

Thanks again - Jeff




used by MSN
Messenger service
support is slightly
work (unless the
fact, forwarding
will automatically
proper UPnP support.
and as such, you
support such as


machines.
testing
entries
appropriate
Speedstream
cannot
was
with

i Jeff,

No, you wouldn't need to open anything. Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) allows an application
to automatically "discover" a UPnP gateway (like a router), open the necessary ports and
forward them to the correct computer. As such, with an UPnP-enabled router, you simply plug
it in, click 'Start Camera' (or other feature) and Messenger will automatically open and
forward the necessary ports, and remove them when they're no longer use. There is no
configuration, no port to "open" and no work to get these features to work (well, at least on
paper).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Jeff Lloyd" < XXXX@XXXXX.COM > wrote in message
news:uEr% XXXX@XXXXX.COM ...

akes sense to me. Thanks again.


"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" < XXXX@XXXXX.COM > wrote in message
news:% XXXX@XXXXX.COM ...
allows an application
necessary ports and
router, you simply plug
automatically open and
There is no
(well, at least on
to
was
the
'Webcam'
in
UPnP
UPnP,
Modem/Router
it
conferencing

i Jeff,

You're very welcome =).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Jeff Lloyd" < XXXX@XXXXX.COM > wrote in message
news: XXXX@XXXXX.COM ...