Connection Issue

[IMPACTMinistries360]

Hi, I am new to Join FS but not new to FSX. I am having an issue which no one in our group can resolve. When I click to join a hub (any active hub) I can only see myself and the server as active users. My network light shows I am connected but apparently it is lying to me. I have pasted the monitor log below...any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Click 'View Logs' to see full log files]
...
23/03/2018 14:43:08.071 Joining network
23/03/2018 14:43:08.113 Connected to network
23/03/2018 14:43:08.118 Added user 16673
23/03/2018 14:43:08.118 Added user 51171
23/03/2018 14:43:08.118 Added user 45043
23/03/2018 14:43:08.182 Connected to network
23/03/2018 14:43:08.225 Connection established 45043
23/03/2018 14:43:09.070 Added user 24490
23/03/2018 14:43:09.152 Connection established 24490
23/03/2018 14:43:11.891 Listing aircraft G-HKSY : User=Me, ID=1765, Model=de Havilland Dash 8-100 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:43:14.951 Delisting aircraft D-AHXX : User=Me, Model=McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing MD-83 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:43:38.119 Removed user 16673
23/03/2018 14:43:38.121 Removed user 51171
23/03/2018 14:43:38.121 Removed user 45043
23/03/2018 14:43:40.286 Delisting aircraft OY-YSX : User=Me, Model=Bombardier CRJ 700 Paint1
23/03/2018 14:43:40.426 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:43:44.933 Removed user 24490
23/03/2018 14:43:44.933 Leave network
23/03/2018 14:43:45.516 Joining network
23/03/2018 14:43:45.616 Connected to network
23/03/2018 14:43:45.616 Added user 16673
23/03/2018 14:43:45.616 Added user 51171
23/03/2018 14:43:45.616 Added user 45043
23/03/2018 14:43:45.726 Connection established 45043
23/03/2018 14:43:46.159 Added user 24490
23/03/2018 14:43:46.619 Connection established 24490
23/03/2018 14:44:11.970 Listing aircraft G-WXNX : User=Me, ID=1766, Model=Bombardier CRJ 700 Paint1
23/03/2018 14:44:15.620 Removed user 45043
23/03/2018 14:44:15.620 Removed user 51171
23/03/2018 14:44:15.620 Removed user 16673
23/03/2018 14:44:17.171 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:44:54.276 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:45:16.817 Delisting aircraft OY-XBM : User=Me, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint4
23/03/2018 14:45:30.699 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:45:42.189 Delisting aircraft D-APNN : User=Me, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint5
23/03/2018 14:46:04.693 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:46:30.130 Listing aircraft EC-JYT : User=Me, ID=1767, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint4
23/03/2018 14:46:41.345 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:46:44.147 Listing aircraft I-AEFH : User=Me, ID=1768, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:46:58.145 Delisting aircraft G-QCTK : User=Me, Model=Bombardier CRJ 700 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:47:11.395 Delisting aircraft G-QURK : User=Me, Model=Bombardier CRJ 700 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:47:12.643 Delisting aircraft D-ADEM : User=Me, Model=Airbus A321 Paint5
23/03/2018 14:47:16.895 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:47:53.031 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:48:29.102 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:48:55.568 Delisting aircraft I-AEFH : User=Me, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:48:56.020 Delisting aircraft SU-HCS : User=Me, Model=Airbus A321 Paint2
23/03/2018 14:49:05.525 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:49:42.926 Node failed to read message: 3 Unable to read beyond the end of the stream.
23/03/2018 14:49:44.373 Listing aircraft G-BNGJ : User=Me, ID=1770, Model=Boeing 737-800 Paint2

[Peter]

Hi,

you shouldn't really be getting those fail messages in the output.

Which version are you running?

Do you have port forwarding setup?

Are you using Free Flight mode or Multiplayer mode in FSX?

Peter

[IMPACTMinistries360]

I am using 1.4.10 and I am in free flight mode. I do not have port forwarding set up as I am on a public wifi router at the RV park I am at. I shouldn't need port forwarding to join a hub though should I?

[Peter]

I suspect the public wifi router could be the cause of the problem. It depends how the router has been configured but I would guess that it's quite strict and restrictive in its port allocation. JoinFS does try to route packets accordingly if it detects a problem, so it ought to be routing them through the server hub that you connected to. It's difficult to say what's actually happening in your scenario.

Peter

[IMPACTMinistries360]

Hmmm would a vpn help solve that?

[Peter]

Hmmm would a vpn help solve that?

Very possibly, because you would then be in control of the router at the other end. Plus the your router will likely work as it normally would if you were directly behind it. I'd be interested to know if that solves it if you manage to connect successfully.

Peter

[IMPACTMinistries360]

Ill se what I can do

[IMPACTMinistries360]

Ok I downloaded windscribe vpn. The windows desktop version. Set up account and confirmed email for 10gb free usage. It worked! I can now connect to the server! Thanks!

[Peter]

Great! A good result. That's one for the manual, thanks.

Peter

[DCA1161]

I have been playing with the idea of connecting with the use of VPN. Installed Windchribe and confirmed e-mail for free usage. But I was unable to set it up.
Is it possible to write down the steps to take in a few lines?
Roy