topic Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try. in My Router

struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

joseph888 — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:00:19 GMT

i have been working on opening my ports for IL-2 (28000-28100), i am trying to host a co-op server

i have tried every possible combination but am seemingly unable to get it to work,

anyone have any knowledge able to help?

Thanks!

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

Dan_the_Van — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:44:55 GMT

@joseph888 welcome to the community.

Can you confirm which Plusnet Hub you are using .

A research provides information that a few games which can be hosted on a IL-2 server, are you using the correct ones?

For a Hub two I would expect a port forward rule for port 28000 to be something like this when saved.

The event log should record an incoming connection in this format

hh:mm:ss, dd mmm. FWL Port Forward Server(server IP Add) TCP 28000 accepted a new connection from <client IP Add>

How are you testing the server?

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

joseph888 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:23:13 GMT

Thanks for getting back to me Dan, thanks for taking time out and helping me. its a plusnet hub two.

i really appriciate the explanation and image, making it as clear as possible,

i did try this, and varying combinations of ports, ranges and protocols. however unfortunatley nothing has worked so far. thats interesting about the event log i will check and see if it registeres a new incoming connection.

the game apparently wants ports 28000 and 28100 open but im finding no amount of forwarding rules gets it to work, i feel like im missing something obvious.

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:38:06 GMT

@joseph888

Depending on how long you have been a plusnet customer there is an account based firewall which needs checking,

If the option is there I suggest setting the Basic settings to Off, you need to reboot the hub after making the change.

On the Hub in port forwarding are you able to save created rules?

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

joseph888 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:42:07 GMT

@Dan_the_Van Thanks for the response again.

I did try turning off the firewall, including upnp aswell as adding a dmz exception, nothing has helped so far unfortunately. i know its a problem on my end though however as my friend is able to get it working for them after they opened their ports.

and good idea to check for that too, but yes they are saving and showing up

i also tried to create an ipv6 pinhole using my ipv6 adress. but that didnt work either. im truly at a loss as to what could be causing it.

the sad truth is, ive tried many times over my life to open ports, trying so many different methods, variations and options. but unfortunatley never once have i been able to get it working in any way.

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

MisterW — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:11:54 GMT

i also tried to create an ipv6 pinhole using my ipv6 adress

@joseph888 Plusnet don't provide a public IPv6 address, unless you're on the trial (which seems unlikely given you are a recent member)

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:25:38 GMT

@joseph888

Don't bother with IPv6 as it's not available to all for plusnet customers.

Did you get to check the members centre firewall as suggested previously? Not be confused with the Hub firewall.

These sites will be handy for testing if port 28000 is open but it only works for TCP connections, it uses your public IP Address for the check.

https://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/ or https://www.canyouseeme.org/

when using the site you should get an entry something like

14:58:35, 02 Feb. FWL Port Forward Server(192.168.1.nnn) TCP 28000 accepted a new connection from <IP address of the port checker>

in the Hubs event log, if you see this message it proves the port forward rule is working. So the problem is likely to be your network.

With regards to the server, what hardware is it, how are you settings it's IP Address using DHCP or manually in the servers network card properties?

Are you able to visit websites like google.co.uk on it or game download sites?

Make sure the DServer with the game loaded before trying the open port checker.

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

joseph888 — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:36:16 GMT

@MisterW hello thank your for your response

i used my ipv6 adress from windows (ipconfig)

i didnt work so i removed it, no harm done i hope.

Re: struggling to open ports, no matter what i try.

MisterW — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:32:16 GMT

@joseph888

i used my ipv6 adress from windows (ipconfig)

That would have been a 'link-local' address ( beginning with FE80 ) and is not accessible from outside your local network.

No harm done.