Don't use Hamachi?

and how to establish a connection then?

Use the built-in IPX emulation in DOSBox?

and connect over what? the normal internet ip?
doesn't it emulate ipx over tcp/ip?

yes dosbox does that.

so.. if am not in the same city as the other players i need hamachi t oset up a tcp ip connection to be able to use the dosbox ipx right?

No.

Agh. Here's the point where the sarcasm should stop, i think. I consider myself a DOS and DOSBox "pro" (more or less), and i think i know quite a lot about about networking in general. I've never actually tried multiplayer in DOSBox, but i've read the DOSBox readme part about IPX networking. From what is in the readme, it's still unclear to me whether DOSBox has "real" IPX networking, or is using its IPX over IP implementation all the time. My guess is that it's IPX over IP all the time. I can understand that users are confused about DOSBox' networking functions, and i bet that some of the "sarcasm posters" in this thread don't fully understand DOSBox' networking, too. Getting it to work and understanding how it works are two different things, after all.

To help the OP a bit: Hamachi is a program to create a "VPN" (Virtual Private Network). This means that Hamachi takes network packets, encrypts them, and transports them over your internet connection (via TCP) to the destination machine. AFAIK, Hamachi supports IPX and TCP.

The DOSBox networking implementation is different. DOSBox also transports the IPX network packets over TCP, but it's using its own functions, which are probably different to what Hamachi is using. DOSBox doesn't encrypt the packets, and doesn't try to build a "real" VPN. (note: this info is based on info in the DOSBox readme, and my own interpretation. I could be wrong.)

So what does this mean for actual playing? If you're using DOSBox together with Hamachi, you are basically using two different networking implementations at the same time. DOSBox will "convert" the IPX packets to TCP with its own functions, and Hamachi will then send these TCP packets to the target machine with its own functions.

I think using both functions at the same time could be a problem. First, there could be timing problems. DOS games were made for relatively low-latency LAN's, and the latency on internet connections can be quite high at times. The fact that two programs are fiddling with the same networking packets could slow things down in addition, too. Second, the combination of the two networking functions could be a problem in itself. There could be incompatibilities, and bugs.

If i'm not totally wrong, Hamachi won't be able to get "real" IPX packets from DOSBox, because DOSBox always uses its own IPX over TCP implementation, and doesn't have "real" IPX networking functions. This means that the only way to eliminate one of the two programs is to use the DOSBox networking functions without Hamachi. The problem is that the "DOSBox way" will be more complicated to setup and operate. You have to open ports in your firewall, forward ports on your router, and use the correct IP adresses on all machines. From what i see on the Hamachi website, Hamachi is much more simple to setup and operate.

Guhlius, if you want to try the "DOSBox way", read the DOSBox readme. Then search VOGONS for threads with info on DOSBox and networking. There should be a few - i remember one particular thread with step-by-step instructions. If you can't get it to work, post again.

Some hints that apply to network gaming in general:
- Stop all other networking activities when playing (P2P, Chat programs, etc.)
- Update the game to the latest version available
- Use the exact same version of the game (and DOSBox) on all machines

Good luck!

There's no sarcasm in the above posts.

It's a fact that tcp/ip isn't "same city" local if you're using internet-accessible
ip addresses, as explained in several threads already.

wd wrote:

There's no sarcasm in the above posts.

I beg to differ. But the point of my post wasn't to discuss the nuances of posting style, anway. (;

wd wrote:

It's a fact that tcp/ip isn't "same city" local if you're using internet-accessible ip addresses, as explained in several threads already.

Ehm... I'm not quite sure if i understand what you mean. In terms of IP adresses, local is local, as in "LAN", i'd say. Anything else is not local - no matter if it's a different city, country, or continent.

Anything else is not local - no matter if it's a different city, country, or continent.

Right, thus DosFreak's and everybody else's reply was just on topic and
lacking any sort of sarcasmic nuance you're trying to imply.

I'm pretty sure the persons you've mentioned can speak for themself if they feel disturbed my by "sarcasm" comment. As i wrote, my point was not a discussion about sarcasm. I was trying to learn something about how DOSBox works, and to help the OP.

If you have fun feel free to write a few additional lines for the readme or
some of the guides at the forum.
Besides that, DosFreak isn't supposed to speak for himself.

so.. can i connect to the dos box ipx server witout hamachi by opening ports and connect over the internet ip?
or are there some servers already running which ppl can use to connect to?

at least that's the only solutions i think should be working after everything u said...

if yes.. which ports do i have to forward?

Did you read what Addict wrote?

i did but i think my not perfect english keeps me from understaning it.. or i'm just to tired
so... did i get it right or was ma last post crap? if it was crap i gotta start searching as it was told me.. if not.. well i know hot to forward ports and how to get to know my internet ip...
oh and wd... teh same city thing was only said to mkae clear that i can#t invite them over to my house to set up a low latency lan

ok forget it... i made it work woithout hamachi... by simply using my internet ip....

If this wasn't so funny it would be depressing.

Bah head up Addict, smile into the world 😀