Hamachi and other VPNs

A VPN program such as Hamachi puts every player into one virtual network. A direct connection then works without any port forwarding, even when the host's router refuses to open a port or the internet provider shares one public address between many customers (CGNAT).

What you need¶

• LogMeIn Hamachi installed and signed in on every computer. The free plan allows up to 5 computers in one network, so up to 5 players including the host.
• Everything a normal session needs: the same mod version, game version and DLC. See Requirements.

Set up the Hamachi network¶

1. The host switches Hamachi on with the power button, chooses Network ▸ Create a new network and picks a network ID and a password.
2. Every other player chooses Network ▸ Join an existing network and enters that ID and password.
3. Wait until every player has a green dot in the network list. Yellow means Hamachi is still connecting. Blue means the connection runs through Hamachi's own relay - it works, but it is slower.

Your Hamachi address is shown at the top of the Hamachi window, next to the power button. It starts with 25..

Hosting¶

1. Open Multiplayer, click Host Game and set the connection to Direct Connection.
2. Switch LAN Only off. The mod counts Hamachi addresses (25.x.x.x) as internet addresses, so LAN Only would turn your friends away.
3. Set a server password of at least 8 characters. The mod requires one as soon as LAN Only is off.
4. Note the port (default 25001).
5. Load or create your world as usual. The session starts once the city has loaded.
6. Give your friends your Hamachi address, the port and the password. The mod's log lists the address too, in the line Players on your network join via: 25.x.x.x:25001 (Hamachi).

Joining¶

1. Open Multiplayer, click Join Game and set the connection to Direct Connection.
2. Enter the host's Hamachi address (25.x.x.x) as Host Address, the host's port, your player name and the password.
3. Click Join and wait while the host's city downloads.

Windows Firewall¶

Windows usually treats the Hamachi network as a public network. On the host's computer, Cities: Skylines II has to be allowed through the firewall on public networks:

1. Open Windows Security ▸ Firewall & network protection ▸ Allow an app through firewall.
2. Click Change settings, find Cities: Skylines II (Cities2) and tick both Private and Public.

If Windows asked when you first hosted and you only allowed private networks, this is the setting to fix.

Troubleshooting¶

Other VPN programs¶

The same steps work with other VPN programs. Whether LAN Only can stay on depends on the addresses the program hands out:

With LAN Only on, no password is required and the mod does not ask your router to open anything. The firewall step above applies to every VPN program.

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