WLM file transfer

[Guest]

Hi!

I've been searching the internet for answers on how the wlm (msn) file
transfer works. I've seen answers of all kinds and I haven't got any clarity
on why file transfers can be slow sometimes.

I've read about opening ports 6891 through 6900 but then again I've read
that msn doesn't use these ports anymore?

Then I've also heard that msn sometimes transfers files through a server
when it doesn't find a way to connect directly to the person that want's to
recieve the file?

I'm sorry for another messenger post about slow file transfers but I would
like some clarity on how it really works and I think this is the place to get
the info?

Maybe someone can explain step by step how a file transfer works and in
which ways a transfer can be done?

BTW, I have UPnP enabled in both windows xp and on my router and my windows
firewall is disabled.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

Yes, Messenger hasn't used those ports since MSN Messenger 5.0 and Windows Messenger 5.1.

Looks like you've been reading up and you're correct.

If you're still experiencing the problem, the first step is to click the Tools menu (or Alt-T
if the menu is hidden), then Options, then the Connection category and wait for a few seconds
for Messenger to enumerate your connection. If it says you're using a UPnP-based NAT there
then you shouldn't have any issues, on your side.

Keep in mind that if the person you're sending to is behind a restrictive NAT (say, in an
Enterprise situation), then they may not be able to make a direct connection to you in which
case it would send it through the server regardless.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your fast answer but I have one more question though.

If wlm doesn't use ports 6891-6900 then which ports does it use and how does
the UPnP work? Does the UPnP open ports automatically?

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi,

The ports? all of them. They're randomly selected.

UPnP discovers the external IP address from the router/NAT, automatically opens and forwards
the port right before it's required and then closes it when the transfer completes.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Nipi]

Hello
I have a question about this file transfer, it works very well when
Upnp is activated on my router, but if i put one computer in the DMZ,
which is supposed to forward all the ports to this computer (and it
does, i tested random ports), and i disable Upnp (or keep it enabled,
anyway it's overrided by DMZ) the file transfer gets slow again on the
DMZ computer. My question is, why? if all the ports are forwarded how
come MSN messenger (or WLM) cannot connect directly??

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi,

Because UPnP is needed for Messenger to discover the external IP address. Without it, it
can't find the external IP to send to your contact to connect to you.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--