Connecting Plan G over network (simconnect) TIP

[tim arnot]

If you haven't told your router to reserve a specific IP for your FS machine, it can get a different one every time you boot. Then you'll have to go through and change all your configs each time.

[FlyingAxx]

Usually the router I know are giving a lease and renewing it each time.

[domkle]

After struggling for quite a while, my connexion works today. For what it is worth and if that may help  a fellow simmer, I realised that the simconnect.xml was somewhat corrupted when I tried and couldn't  open it with the xml editor while it was perfectly readable with the Notepad with what I had initially written it. Rewriting the few same lines in a new xml did the trick. Using P3D with W7 and IPV6.

[vtristram]

I was ( still am ) having the same problems described here. After many hours of fruitless variations and configs, I gave up and tried FSUIPC/WideFS: lo and behold: it worked first time!
However, I still can't understand why SimConnect doe not work with my setup now. The funny thing is, I had it running fine with P3D v2.4. I then upgraded to 2.5 via hotif(es)...and it never worked again. Now I know everybody says in a situation like this "I didn't change anything else..." and I do know that you really cannot guarantee that...BUT it still puzzles me very much why PG stopped working. I checked and re-checked the SimConnect.xml in my P3D folder, even copied the contents from the PG manual, changed the URL, of course... checked the settings in PG... tried it on different PCs/laptops  I do not know why SimConnect cannot connect and times out.
My logfile syas the same thing as in the numerous posts here.
Can anyone help?
Volker

[hlminx]

Hi All
I've had nothing but problems trying to connect via a network and after a day and a half wasted troubleshooting, I'm still no closer.

Both PCs are running Win7, both are connected to the Home Network and can see each other, but as soon as I press the Connect button, it waits for 2-3 seconds and then just crashes. The log appears to indicate the " SimConnect connection attempt timed out"

I have tried:

Turning off the firewall on both
Turning off the antivirus on both
I have 'pinged' both PCs and they can see each other fine
Used the automatic IP address
Re-set the FSX computer to a Static IP address (then changed it back to a dynamic one when Static didn't work)
Changed the Port from 4505 to 4506  to 4507 and 4508.. no joy
Tried setting up the SimConnect.XML as IPV6  AND IPV4  - (when I found that IPV6 wasn't working I re-wrote the SimConnect.xml to IPV4, but realised that each time I changed the details in the Location option on PlanG that it decided to keep reverting to the IPV6 settings so I had to uninstall PlanG, delete all the folders that were still on my HD, and cleared the registry... )
Tried all IPV6 and IPV4 versions of the 'Templates' included in the PlanG User Manual, to no avail
I managed to stop the software crashing by clicking the FSUIPC instead of SimConnect but then it just sat there doing nothing
I tried a 'Sim Connect config tool' but that made no difference

Below is my last Log and the XML  in case anyone has any bright ideas ??
Advice most welcome..
Regards
Minx

My Ips are: FSX machine 192.168.1.148 (dynamic)       PlanG machine: 192.168.1.149 (dynamic)

My Sim Connect .XML is:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>

<SimBase.Document Type="SimConnect" version="1,0">
  <Descr>SimConnect</Descr>
  <Filename>SimConnect.xml</Filename>
  <Disabled>False</Disabled>
<SimConnect.Comm>
    <Disabled>False</Disabled>
    <Protocol>Auto</Protocol>
    <Scope>global</Scope>
    <Address>192.168.1.148</Address>
    <MaxClients>64</MaxClients>
    <Port>4508</Port>
    <MaxRecvSize>4096</MaxRecvSize>
    <DisableNagle>False</DisableNagle>
  </SimConnect.Comm>
</SimBase.Document>


The error log is:
10:12:40.6

---===+++===---

10:12:40.8 Starting Plan-G (W7 edition), build 3.1.2.101
10:12:40.8 OS is Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
10:12:42.9 InitDataFolder
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_NAVI.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\UserWaypoints.sdf
10:12:43.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\MEF.sdf
10:12:47.7 Map tiles cache: C:\Users\Home\AppData\Local\GMap.NET\
10:12:49.2 Program in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Plan-G v3.1.2
10:12:49.2 Data in: C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files
10:12:49.3 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:12:49.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:12:50.6 Starting timer
10:12:50.7 DownloadCurrentMetars thread started
10:12:50.8 Metar08Z.TXT started
10:12:50.8 sTAF06Z.TXT started
10:12:50.8 Metar09Z.TXT started
10:12:51.2 sTAF06Z.TXT done
10:12:51.2 lTAF06Z.TXT started
10:12:51.7 sTAF00Z.TXT started
10:12:51.7 lTAF06Z.TXT done
10:12:51.7 lTAF00Z.TXT started
10:12:51.8 sTAF00Z.TXT done
10:12:52.4 lTAF00Z.TXT done
10:12:52.7 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:12:52.7 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:12:52.8 IsDataLoaded: FS9
10:12:52.8 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:12:53.0 IsDataLoaded: P3D
10:12:53.0 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:12:53.3 IsDataLoaded: XPlane
10:12:53.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:12:53.6 Metar09Z.TXT done
10:12:54.0 Metar08Z.TXT done
10:12:54.0 DownloadCurrentMetars done
10:12:54.3 Stopping timer
10:12:54.3 StartMap
10:12:54.5 Connection string: metadata=res://*/Data.FSData.csdl|res://*/Data.FSData.ssdl|res://*/Data.FSData.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlServerCe.3.5;provider connection string='Data Source=|DataDirectory|\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf'
10:12:55.6 ProcessMetars done
10:12:59.2 NdbsInBounds 12
10:12:59.7 VorsInBounds 12
10:13:00.5 AirportsInBounds 29
10:13:03.2 AirspaceInBounds 63
10:13:03.5 NdbsInBounds 12
10:13:03.5 VorsInBounds 12
10:13:03.5 AirportsInBounds 29
10:13:03.6 AirspaceInBounds 63
10:13:06.9 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: True
10:13:34.6 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: False
10:13:35.0 Cleanup
10:15:06.1

---===+++===---

10:15:06.1 Starting Plan-G (W7 edition), build 3.1.2.101
10:15:06.2 OS is Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
10:15:06.3 InitDataFolder
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_NAVI.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\UserWaypoints.sdf
10:15:06.3 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\MEF.sdf
10:15:07.2 Map tiles cache: C:\Users\Home\AppData\Local\GMap.NET\
10:15:07.4 Program in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Plan-G v3.1.2
10:15:07.4 Data in: C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files
10:15:07.4 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:15:07.4 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:15:07.5 Starting timer
10:15:07.5 DownloadCurrentMetars thread started
10:15:07.5 Metar08Z.TXT started
10:15:07.5 Metar09Z.TXT started
10:15:07.5 sTAF06Z.TXT started
10:15:07.7 sTAF06Z.TXT done
10:15:07.7 lTAF06Z.TXT started
10:15:08.3 lTAF06Z.TXT done
10:15:08.3 sTAF00Z.TXT started
10:15:08.3 sTAF00Z.TXT done
10:15:08.3 lTAF00Z.TXT started
10:15:08.9 lTAF00Z.TXT done
10:15:09.1 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:15:09.1 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:15:09.2 IsDataLoaded: FS9
10:15:09.2 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:15:09.2 IsDataLoaded: P3D
10:15:09.2 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:15:09.2 IsDataLoaded: XPlane
10:15:09.2 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:15:10.0 Metar08Z.TXT done
10:15:10.0 Stopping timer
10:15:10.0 StartMap
10:15:10.0 Connection string: metadata=res://*/Data.FSData.csdl|res://*/Data.FSData.ssdl|res://*/Data.FSData.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlServerCe.3.5;provider connection string='Data Source=|DataDirectory|\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf'
10:15:10.4 NdbsInBounds 14
10:15:10.5 VorsInBounds 14
10:15:10.9 AirportsInBounds 32
10:15:11.7 AirspaceInBounds 71
10:15:11.7 NdbsInBounds 14
10:15:11.7 VorsInBounds 14
10:15:11.8 AirportsInBounds 32
10:15:11.9 AirspaceInBounds 71
10:15:12.7 Metar09Z.TXT done
10:15:12.8 DownloadCurrentMetars done
10:15:14.0 ProcessMetars done
10:15:15.5 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: True
10:16:01.0 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: False
10:16:04.4 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: True
10:16:16.6 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: False
10:16:18.4 Initiating FSUIPC/XPUIPC connection.
10:16:18.5 FSUIPC/XPUIPC.Connect
10:16:18.6 Connect: FSUIPC.FSUIPCException: FSUIPC Error #2: FSUIPC_ERR_NOFS. Cannot find FSUIPC or WideFS running on this machine.
   at FSUIPC.FSUIPCConnection.Open(Byte ClassInstance, FlightSim RequiredFlightSimVersion)
   at Plan_G3.Model.MyFSUIPC.Connect()
10:16:18.7 SetFSConnected: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
   at Plan_G3.Model.MyFSUIPC.Disconnect()
   at Plan_G3.Model.MyFSUIPC.Connect()
   at Plan_G3.ViewModel.MainViewModel.SetFSConnected(Boolean value)
10:16:50.2 NdbsInBounds 19
10:16:50.3 VorsInBounds 18
10:16:50.5 AirportsInBounds 41
10:16:51.0 AirspaceInBounds 82
10:16:52.1 NdbsInBounds 11
10:16:52.2 VorsInBounds 8
10:16:52.3 AirportsInBounds 28
10:16:52.6 AirspaceInBounds 79
10:17:17.1 NdbsInBounds 17
10:17:17.2 VorsInBounds 19
10:17:17.2 AirportsInBounds 39
10:17:17.4 AirspaceInBounds 79
10:19:00.3 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: True
10:19:12.4 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: False
10:19:23.9 Cleanup
10:19:36.3

---===+++===---

10:19:36.3 Starting Plan-G (W7 edition), build 3.1.2.101
10:19:36.3 OS is Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
10:19:36.5 InitDataFolder
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_NAVI.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\UserWaypoints.sdf
10:19:36.5 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\MEF.sdf
10:19:37.4 Map tiles cache: C:\Users\Home\AppData\Local\GMap.NET\
10:19:37.6 Program in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Plan-G v3.1.2
10:19:37.6 Data in: C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files
10:19:37.6 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:19:37.6 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:19:37.7 Starting timer
10:19:37.7 DownloadCurrentMetars thread started
10:19:37.7 Metar08Z.TXT started
10:19:37.7 Metar09Z.TXT started
10:19:37.7 sTAF06Z.TXT started
10:19:37.9 sTAF06Z.TXT done
10:19:37.9 lTAF06Z.TXT started
10:19:38.4 lTAF06Z.TXT done
10:19:38.4 sTAF00Z.TXT started
10:19:38.5 sTAF00Z.TXT done
10:19:38.5 lTAF00Z.TXT started
10:19:38.9 IsDataLoaded: FSX
10:19:38.9 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf
10:19:38.9 IsDataLoaded: FS9
10:19:38.9 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_FS9.sdf
10:19:38.9 IsDataLoaded: P3D
10:19:38.9 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_P3D.sdf
10:19:38.9 IsDataLoaded: XPlane
10:19:38.9 Data Source = C:\Users\Home\Documents\Plan-G Files\Data\PlanG3_XPX.sdf
10:19:39.1 lTAF00Z.TXT done
10:19:40.0 Metar09Z.TXT done
10:19:40.1 Metar08Z.TXT done
10:19:40.1 DownloadCurrentMetars done
10:19:40.2 Stopping timer
10:19:40.2 StartMap
10:19:40.2 Connection string: metadata=res://*/Data.FSData.csdl|res://*/Data.FSData.ssdl|res://*/Data.FSData.msl;provider=System.Data.SqlServerCe.3.5;provider connection string='Data Source=|DataDirectory|\Data\PlanG3_FSX.sdf'
10:19:40.7 NdbsInBounds 17
10:19:40.8 VorsInBounds 19
10:19:41.4 AirportsInBounds 39
10:19:41.5 ProcessMetars done
10:19:42.2 AirspaceInBounds 79
10:19:42.3 NdbsInBounds 17
10:19:42.3 VorsInBounds 19
10:19:42.3 AirportsInBounds 39
10:19:42.4 AirspaceInBounds 79
10:19:46.5 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: True
10:19:54.1 _Backstage_IsOpenChanged: False
10:19:55.6 Initiating SimConnect connection.
10:19:55.6 Connect
10:19:55.6 SimConnect.Connect - Remote. Mode = IPv4 Server = 192.168.1.146 Port = 4508
10:20:00.6 SimConnect connection attempt timed out
10:20:00.6 Disconnect
10:20:01.7 Disconnected from sim

[hlminx]

After playing with this for almost 2 entire days, I think I have sorted my issue out..

There were quite a few things that I had to do to get it working, none of which were in the instruction documents so I will post them here in case it helps anyone else...

I had to install Microsoft SDK Client (via the SDK.msi) onto the networked machine.
I also needed to copy across the SimConnect.ini  from my SDK folder to  Documents>Flight Simulator X Files on the main machine.
I then updated the Port number in the SimConnect.XML so that it was 5000 
I then created a SimConnect.cfg file on the networked machine and added in the IP address of the FSX machine.

It just remains to be seen if I have to change the IP address each time I log on, but we'll see what happens!

So looking forward to getting up in the air with Plan G working.. :-)

[tim arnot]

Thanks for the tips, and glad you finally got it sorted.

If your IPs are dynamic, there's a good chance they'll change over days, depending on the order you start things up. It's always better to reserve an IP for at least the FSX machine in your DHCP server/router.

[LittlePaulio]

If you continue to have problems with Simconnect (I could never get it to work across a network) you should get a registered version of FSUIPC. It allows you to do so much with control assignments (multiple switchable functions for buttons, switches, throttle, creating macros and far more accurate calibration than FSX, and that's just the tip of the iceberg!) You can even write your own .Lua scripts that will allow you to customise any control the way you want to. That is, if someone hasn't already created it a script for the functionality you were looking for. It has a very active, productive userbase. You do need to read and learn some pretty technical stuff for the more advanced features, so it's not necessarily for everyone.
But it has also allowed me to stably connect to Plan-G on my laptop. You just need to download a tiny free server app that uses the FSUIPC inbuilt WideServer networking functionality when you start FSX. It's configured by simply entering an IP address and then putting the details it gives you (IP address, port number) into Plan-G and hit connect and it just works instantly for me. I have loads of add-on scenery but I still completely built my database in a couple of minutes. Plus you don't need to pay for WideFS or mess around with Simconnect.xml files. I don't mean to criticise anyone who has networking with Simconnect working, that's great for you, it is totally free! I still love FSUIPC though  as it just adds so many possibilities, especially if you have a controller(s) or any panels and switches. I have nothing to do with Pete Dowson (creator of FSUIPC), in fact I find that he can be quite rude and arrogant in his replies to paying customers, but he has created one hell of a piece of software! Just like Plan-G, which is just awesome, and teaching me so much about navigation in general, as well as the stuff specific to Flight Sims. And there is a lot to learn for the novice like me! But, it's just so interesting, interactive, visually appealing and exciting that you don't even realise all the knowledge you're absorbing. Congrats to the creators at TA Software for creating this wonderful program, and then sharing it for free. I can't praise you enough!

Anyway, enough excited rambling from me, time for my bed! G'night!

[vortex]

You just need to download a tiny free server app that uses the FSUIPC inbuilt WideServer networking functionality when you start FSX...

Where can I get the server app? I'd love to be able to connect Plan-G on my laptop over the network but without success using simconnect.

[LittlePaulio]

I use one from Phawary Labs that connects to FSUIPC once FSX is running. I also mapped the drive FSX installed on to a network location that my laptop could access.

[aeugli]

Hallo Tim,

what do you mean with "If your IPs are dynamic, there's a good chance they'll change over days, depending on the order you start things up."
If could explain it a little more detailed, it would be much appreciated by me and may be others!
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Regards
Rainer

[tim arnot]

Your router will allocate IPs in the order they are requested. So if one day you start your computers and devices in a different order, they will not get the same IPs. Simple as that.

If you want to guarantee your computer will always get the same IP, you need to reserve an address for it within the router. See your router's documentation for how that is done.

[aeugli]

Thanks Tim for your clarification; I will do that!
Cheers Rainer

[pmb]

I set the IPs for my machines under Windows network/adater settings on the respective machines, which did work as well. I feel a bit uneasy messing with the router.

Kind regards, Michael

[tim arnot]

I set the IPs for my machines under Windows network/adater settings on the respective machines, which did work as well. I feel a bit uneasy messing with the router.

Kind regards, Michael

That's fine so long you use addresses that your router is not going to allocate to something else, otherwise you could potentially have a conflict if another device gets the same address that you manually allocated.