Problems connecting SOME programs though a LAN

[robertowww]

Hi,

I'm currently studying at college here in Ireland. I connect to the internet in my college with my laptop and a network cable.
When connecting, I had to change some of my network TCP/IP settings. They were set to 'Assign IP address automatically'; 'Obtain DNS server automatically'
.....and under the 'Alternate configuration', 'Automatic private IP address'.

I can surf without any problems, connect to MSN, YAHOO and KazaaK++. However, I can't get connected witha anything else. I'd really like to be able to use Shareaza and mIRC for a start. Also, I'd like to be able to maybe run some online games.

I'd assume it's something to do with port or firewall settings, but unfortunately I havent' studied in these areas as yet and don't know enough about them.

I'd be really grateful if anyone can help me out here.

Thanks a lot.

[Malicious Intent]

The problem with college LAN settings is that they could be anything, making your question very difficult. There is nothing wrong with MIRC and since Kazaa is allowed I'd be surprised if Sharaza was cut to stop filesharing. Therefore talk to your administrator and find out if it is them or you and what you can do about it.

[DainBramaged]

Is the problem that you just can't connect? They could have the ports that those programs used blocked, though it'd surprise me that games can't get through.

Do you run a firewall on your own machine?

Is it something else?

[robertowww]

I can't really ask the Admin about network settings as they'll probably remove my use completely for using kazaa to download music/software. Then again, I've been using the connection for about 3 months now doing this and haven't heard anything. Does the Network Admin know exactly what I download? I mean..when I look in the shared folder during downloads, the files are dat0292817869161986... Is this what the admin will see me downloading... or something like adobephotoshop.exe.

My own firewall is always off.

Liveupdate and some program updates will run. Arc Soft photobase update won't work.

And yeah, Shareazaa(also all file sharing programs..edonkey, winmx..etc). KazaaliteK++ is the only one. And mIRC simply wont connect either.

Is there any way I can scan the network settings to find out how I can change my own settings?

Thanks again

[Malicious Intent]

Will the network admin know who you are? I still think that if they wanted to stop filesharing the first prgram they stop would be kazaa.
They may be able to find out what you are downloading, but it would take a lot of effort and I doubt they would for privacy reasons.
I've heard that port scanners may help, but I don't know much about them. Perhaps someone else can help?
I still think an anonymous call to admin. Tell them you want it to share legal files like mods for your games.

[robertowww]

[QUOTE=Malicious Intent]Will the network admin know who you are? I still think that if they wanted to stop filesharing the first prgram they stop would be kazaa.
QUOTE]

Yeah, the Univeristy computer department know who is using the system. Before the laptop works, a form needs to be filled out and the MAC address given to the admin department along with student name/number. etc.

On the matter of privacy, are they not allowed to check all my activity as I am using their connection?

Thanks

[Malicious Intent]

I don't know the legal implications of them looking at your activities, but I would have thought that sniffing packets to find what you are downloading and what sites you go to is wrong.
I don't know that much about packets, but if they are going deep enough to find what you are downloading then they may also be able to read your emails and stuff. That they can't do.
As for speaking to them anonomously, go and ask them in person and don't tell them your IP or any other details that are on the form. If they know your face then ring them. I ask my ISP all sorts of questions about filesharing. (The response is usually "we care and will cut you off*wink wink*".)
It may still be your settings. Ask them if you should enter a provided DNS server and IP address etc. Aqlo is the expert on connecting to Shareaza, but I havn't seen him for a while.

[hawkburn]

Yes, you'll want to use a port scanner, on your own computer only. In the US.. if you port scan any other computer than your own or those on your private network, you can find yourself in a pool of legal trouble, especially with the Patriot act. Anyway... don't scan any computers other than 127.0.0.1 <-- thats you. You can find a port scanner at snapfiles.com probably. Search in the freeware section.

Once you find the open ports, you want to tell the programs that you want to connect with to use those ports. Don't use port 80, as this is used for web browsing. Same with port 8080. If you find a few hundreds ports or more open, its not your network, rather its more likely that something is wrong with your computer. But school networks are often very strict. Its most likely similiar to a router firewall, that allows no traffic except through port 80 and what the admin lets through. But personally, when I'm forwarding no ports, I can still connectly perfectly to FastTrack.... so that may be why you can connect to FT and not anything else.

[DainBramaged]

No, they may look at your activity. In the contract you signed with the University, there is very likely a clause that states that the University can monitor your internet activity, especially with the rapid rise of filesharing.

As for port scanning, that may be a solution. Just keep in mind that the university may have hardware and software in place that partially analyzes traffic to determine if they are legal, legitimate packets or what the would consider the illegal ones of Kazaa and other filesharing utilities. Several schools are now going this route and leaving more ports open than before, though still not many.

[Malicious Intent]

But there was a load of court cases about companies looking e-mails of employees. I think eventually the employers won the right to check e-mails of company address, but only just. This would be a personal e-mail account in a private room.
Perhaps they can determine if the packet is going to a p2p program before they analyse it.
I would have thought it more likely to stop p2p traffic rather than allow it and make sure you don't download anything illegal.

[eivioolla]

Try running Shields UP! full port scan at grc.com, check also whether the IP the site shows you matches your own settings (ipconfig in prompt), perhaps you're behind NAT.