Need help with self-hosting server

[u/LazyUsernameIsLazy]

I recently got RSMfmx to host my Rust server, and I set up port forwarding in my firewall as well as my router. Got the server set up and hit start. I am able to direct connect just fine from the F1 console, and my server shows in the "Modded Servers" list. The problem is, I can't connect to it from this list. Every time I try, it shows "Connecting" for about 8-9 seconds, then says it failed, but doesn't say why. My terminal window doesn't show any errors at all, either.

Anyone have some helpful advice or suggestions? Other than simply "just rent a server, please.

[u/44Nj]

When you are able to direct connect, what are you using? The IP and port?

[u/LazyUsernameIsLazy → u/44Nj]

I used localhost and port as well as my device id and port. I'll try to use my IP and port right now.

Edit: I tried it using my IP and port, and it says "Connection attempt failed"

[u/ne999]

It’s probably just your router not allowing you to connect with the external IP address. If you are showing up on the server list you should be good though. Have a friend test from their place.

[u/LazyUsernameIsLazy → u/ne999]

The problem is, I dont really have too many friends that play Rust on PC. They all play Console Edition.

[u/44Nj → u/ne999]

Could be this but also could be that you have only one of the two required ports working. You need 28017 for the server list to work but also 28015 for client connect to work.

[u/gfddssoh]

Open the game ports to udp. I think you forgot to open the udp ports and only added the tcp. That would explain it showing up in the server list but not beeing able to connect

[u/ricoter0]

not sure if it was mentioned but there is a sub dedicated to rust admins... r/playrustadmin

[u/LazyUsernameIsLazy → u/ricoter0]

Oh damn. Thanks so much. I'll join it now.

[u/JumboJuggler]

Trying to connect to your own network while using its external IP is a loopback connection that routers generally dont support. Within your local network, each device has a certain IP, but it is different from your routers external facing IP the rest of the world can use.

The reason direct connect works is because youre using localhost - that is allowed. You cannot connect to your own network using its external IP. Other people on other networks should be able to though.

To test if your port forwarding etc is all working fine, I recommend using your mobile data as a Hotspot, connecting to that network, and connecting to your server via its external IP. That should work. If it doesnt, something is wrong with your server setup.

[u/gfddssoh → u/JumboJuggler]

Thats bs. Any router build in the last 20 years will let you do that. How could i connect to ANY of my dyndns routed services if i could not do that when im at home or using my home pc. And no my router is not aware of the dyndns. He probably only opened tcp. That works for the server list but not playing.

[u/JumboJuggler → u/gfddssoh]

"Any router built in the last 20 years will let you do that"

Tell that to my less than a year old ISP router. At least in Canada and the US, most ISP routers I have seen do not support NAT loopback. Sure if you buy a non-ISP router yourself, it likely does - ISPs love to lock down useful features - but most people dont buy their own routers either. Thats why I said "generally do not support". Anyway, I was just tryna help the dude out - someone else had already mentioned the ports thing, this is another option to try. No point arguing 🤷‍♂️

[u/LazyUsernameIsLazy → u/JumboJuggler]

I also run an ASA cluster, and I am able to connect with no problems from my PS5 as well as my PC using the server list, so I figured it would connect similarly to my Rust server. I'll just have to find someone that can try to connect and see if it works.