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Last active December 3, 2025 09:35
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SoftEther VPN LAN Gaming
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SoftEther_VPN_LAN_Gaming.md

SoftEther VPN LAN Gaming

Alternatives

  • Consider using Lanemu P2P VPN which is way easier to set up
  • Use SoftEther VPN for retro PCs (Windows 98 / 98 SE / ME / NT 4.0 SP6a / 2000 SP4) or LAN games that don't work on any other VPNs
    • Retro PCs may require an older version of SoftEther VPN (4.30 9695 or earlier)

Table of Contents

Preparations (Linux)

Preparations (Windows)

  • Disable SSDP Discovery
    • Open Control Panel
    • Click System and Security
    • Click Administrative Tools
    • Open Services
    • Right click SSDP Discovery and select Properties
    • Click Stop
    • Startup type: Disabled
    • Click Apply and OK
  • Enable DirectPlay and Media Features
    • Open Control Panel
    • Click Programs
    • Click Turn Windows features on or off
    • Expand Legacy Components
      • Check DirectPlay
    • Check Media Features
    • Click OK
  • Allow DirectPlay and game through Windows Firewall
    • Open Control Panel
    • Click System and Security
    • Click Allow an app through Windows Firewall
    • Click Change settings
    • Click Allow another app
    • Click Browse
      • DirectPlay
        • Go to C:\Windows\SysWOW64
        • Select dplaysvr.exe and click Open
      • DirectPlay 8 (x32)
        • Go to C:\Windows\System32
        • Select dpnsvr.exe and click Open
      • DirectPlay 8 (x64)
        • Go to C:\Windows\SysWOW64
        • Select dpnsvr.exe and click Open
      • Game
        • Go to game directory
        • Select game executable and click Open
    • Click Network types
      • Check Private and Public
      • Click OK
    • Click Add
    • Click OK
  • Optional recommendations

SoftEther VPN Server (Host PC - Linux)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Server
  • Extract the archive
  • Open the Terminal
  • Change working directory to the extracted vpnserver folder
    • cd "<path>/vpnserver"
      • Example: cd "${HOME}/Downloads/vpnserver"
  • Install SoftEther VPN Server
    • make
  • Move the vpnserver folder to /usr/local
    • cd ..
    • sudo mv vpnserver /usr/local
  • Create a VPN Server startup script
    • Download a vpnserver.service file to /lib/systemd/system
      • curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/rc4aM1y7 | tr -d '\r' | sudo tee /lib/systemd/system/vpnserver.service > /dev/null
    • Enable the VPN Server service
      • sudo systemctl enable --now vpnserver
  • Use Wine to install the Windows version of SoftEther VPN Server Manager

SoftEther VPN Server (Host PC - Windows)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Server
  • Run SoftEther VPN Server setup
    • Click Next
    • Select Software Components to Install
      • Windows
        • Select SoftEther VPN Server
        • Click Next
      • Linux (Wine)
        • Select SoftEther VPN Server Manager (Admin Tools Only)
        • Click Next
    • Agree to the End User License Agreement and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Specify the install directory and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Click Finish
  • Open the SoftEther VPN Server Manager
  • Click New Setting (if localhost setting already exists, click Edit Setting)
    • Setting Name: localhost
    • Connect to Localhost: Yes
    • Port Number: 5555
    • Proxy Type: Direct TCP/IP Connection (No Proxy)
    • Administration Mode: Server Admin Mode
    • Do not Save Admin's Password: No
    • Password: Leave empty (will be changed later)
    • Click OK
  • Click Connect
  • Enter new password and click OK
  • Click OK
  • Select Remote Access VPN Server and click Next
  • Click Yes
  • Specify the Virtual Hub Name and click OK
    • Name could represent a game: HL1, CMR2, etc.
  • Dynamic DNS Function
    • Click Exit
  • IPsec / L2TP / EtherIP / L2TPv3 Settings
    • Leave all disabled and click OK
  • If your network is not restricted (port forwarding is possible)
    • Disable VPN Azure and click OK
    • Forward TCP port 5555 on your router
  • If your network is restricted (port forwarding is not possible)
    • Enable VPN Azure and click OK
  • Click Create Users
    • User Name: Client
    • Set the Expiration Date for This Account: No
    • Auth Type: Anonymous Authentication
      • If you want, you can select Password Authentication
        • Enter password in Password Authentication Settings
    • Set Security Policy: Yes
      • Click Security Policy
      • Select Unlimited Number of Broadcasts
        • Current Value: Enable the Policy
      • Click OK
    • Click OK
    • Click OK
    • Click Exit
  • Click Close
  • Select your Virtual Hub
  • Click Manage Virtual Hub
  • Click Manage Access Lists (optional)
    • If you want to add the rules via GUI (slower)
    • If you want to add the rules via configuration file (faster)
      • Click New (IPv4)
        • Memo: testrule
        • Click OK
      • Click Save
      • Click Exit
      • Click Edit Config
        • Click Save to File
        • Save the configuration file to another location (Downloads folder, etc.)
        • Click OK
      • Open the configuration file with a text editor (Notepad, etc.)
      • Click Import File and Apply
        • Select the modified configuration file
        • Click Yes
        • Click OK
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Server Manager
        • Return to the Virtual Hub Management
        • Skip [Rule 01-20] and continue to Log Save Setting

    • [Rule 01] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Outbound Port 25 Blocking
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 1
      • Protocol Type: 6 (TCP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 25 - 25
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 02] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Outbound MS-SMB Blocking #1
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 2
      • Protocol Type: 6 (TCP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 135 - 139
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 03] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Outbound MS-SMB Blocking #2
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 3
      • Protocol Type: 6 (TCP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 445 - 445
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 04] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Outbound MS-SMB Blocking #3
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 4
      • Protocol Type: 17 (UDP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 135 - 139
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 05] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Outbound MS-SMB Blocking #4
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 5
      • Protocol Type: 17 (UDP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 445 - 445
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 06] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Keep-alive Blocking for Saving Bandwidth
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 6
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 130.158.6.56
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
      • Click OK
      • Select Rule/ID 6 and click Disable

    • [Rule 07] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit DNS Packets (UDP)
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 7
      • Protocol Type: 17 (UDP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 53 - 53
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 08] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit DNS Packets (TCP)
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 8
      • Protocol Type: 6 (TCP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 53 - 53
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 09] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit DHCP Packets #1
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 9
      • Protocol Type: 17 (UDP/IP Protocol)
      • Destination Port: 67 - 68
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 10] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit DHCP Packets #2
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 10
      • Protocol Type: 17 (UDP/IP Protocol)
      • Source Port: 67 - 68
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 11] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit Packets to Private Gateway / DNS Server
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 11
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.30.1
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 12] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit Packets from Private Gateway / DNS Server
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 12
      • Source IP Address
        • Applies to All Source Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.30.1
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 13] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Deny Packets to Neighbor VPN Clients
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 13
      • Source IP Address
        • Applies to All Source Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.30.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.30.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
      • Click OK
      • Select Rule/ID 13 and click Disable

    • [Rule 14] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Permit Any Packets to VPN Segment
      • Action: Pass
      • Priority: 14
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.30.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 15] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to LAN (192.168.0.0/16)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 15
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 192.168.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 16] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to LAN (172.16.0.0/12)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 16
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 172.16.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.240.0.0
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 17] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to LAN (10.0.0.0/8)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 17
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 10.0.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.0.0.0
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 18] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to APIPA (169.254.0.0/16)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 18
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 169.254.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
      • Click OK

    • [Rule 19] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to Multicast (224.0.0.0/4)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 19
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 224.0.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 240.0.0.0
      • Click OK
      • Select Rule/ID 19 and click Disable

    • [Rule 20] Click New (IPv4)

      • Memo: Block Any Packets to CGN Shared Address Space (100.64.0.0/10)
      • Action: Discard
      • Priority: 20
      • Destination IP Address
        • Applies to All Destination Addresses: No
        • IPv4 Address: 100.64.0.0
        • Subnet Mask: 255.192.0.0
      • Click OK
    • Click Save
  • Click Log Save Setting
    • Save Security Log: No
    • Save Packet Log: No
    • Click OK
  • Click Virtual NAT and Virtual DHCP Server (SecureNAT)
    • Click SecureNAT Configuration
      • Virtual Host's Network Interface Settings
        • MAC Address: Leave default
        • IP Address: 192.168.30.1
        • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
      • Use Virtual NAT Function: No
      • Save NAT or DHCP Server Operations to Log File: No
      • Virtual DHCP Server Settings
        • Use Virtual DHCP Server Functions: Yes
          • Distributes IP Address: 192.168.30.10 to 192.168.30.200
          • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
          • Lease Limit: Leave default
        • Options Applied to Clients
          • Default Gateway Address: Empty
          • DNS Server Address 1: Empty
          • DNS Server Address 2: Empty
          • Domain Name: Empty
      • Click OK
    • Click Enable SecureNAT, OK and Exit
  • Click Exit
  • Make sure your Virtual Hub is Online
  • Backup your server configuration file (useful during reinstall, especially the DDnsClient Key)
    • Click Edit Config
    • Click Save to File
    • Click Close
  • Click Exit
  • Close the SoftEther VPN Server Manager

SoftEther VPN Client (Host PC - Linux)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Client
  • Extract the archive
  • Open the Terminal
  • Change working directory to the extracted vpnclient folder
    • cd "<path>/vpnclient"
      • Example: cd "${HOME}/Downloads/vpnclient"
  • Install SoftEther VPN Client
    • make
  • Move the vpnclient folder to /usr/local
    • cd ..
    • sudo mv vpnclient /usr/local
  • Create a VPN Client startup script
    • Download a vpnclient.service file to /lib/systemd/system
      • curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/6syxBcdG | tr -d '\r' | sudo tee /lib/systemd/system/vpnclient.service > /dev/null
    • Enable the VPN Client service
      • sudo systemctl enable --now vpnclient
  • Create a VPN Client connection / disconnection script
    • Download a client.sh file to /usr/local/vpnclient
      • curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/LwHX4Zd3 | tr -d '\r' | sudo tee /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh > /dev/null
    • Assign execute permission to the client.sh file
      • sudo chmod +x /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh
  • Use Wine to install the Windows version of SoftEther VPN Client Manager

SoftEther VPN Client (Host PC - Windows)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Client
  • Run SoftEther VPN Client setup
    • Click Next
    • Select Software Components to Install
      • Windows
        • Select SoftEther VPN Client
        • Click Next
      • Linux (Wine)
        • Select SoftEther VPN Client Manager (Admin Tools Only)
        • Click Next
    • Agree to the End User License Agreement and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Specify the install directory and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Click Finish
  • Open the Client Manager
    • Windows
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Client Manager
    • Linux (Wine)
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Client Remote Manager
      • Connect to Local Computer: Yes
      • Click OK
  • Click Virtual Adapter -> New Virtual Network Adapter
  • Specify the Virtual Network Adapter Name and click OK
  • Wait until adapter is created
  • Click Connect -> New VPN Connection Setting
    • Setting Name: localhost <Virtual Hub>
      • Example: localhost HL1
    • Host Name: localhost
    • Port Number: 5555
    • Disable NAT-T: Yes ("/tcp" will be added to Host Name)
    • Virtual Hub Name: Select your Virtual Hub from dropdown
    • Proxy Type: Direct TCP/IP Connection (No Proxy)
    • Always Verify Server Certificate: No
    • User Authentication Setting: User info from your server setup
      • SoftEther VPN Server -> Manage Virtual Hub -> Manage Users
    • Reconnects Automatically After Disconnected: Yes
    • Reconnect Interval: Leave default
    • Infinite Reconnects (Keep VPN Always Online): Yes
    • Use SSL 3.0: No
    • Click Advanced Settings
      • Number of TCP Connections: 1
      • Establishing Interval: Leave default
      • Set Connection Lifetime of Each TCP Connection: No
      • Use Half-Duplex Mode: No
      • Disable VoIP / QoS Functions: Yes
      • Encrypt VPN Session with SSL: No
      • Use Data Compression: No
      • Disable UDP Acceleration: Yes
      • Bridge / Router Mode: No
      • Monitoring Mode: No
      • No Adjustments of Routing Table: No
      • Click OK
    • Click OK
  • Right click your localhost connection setting and select Copy
  • Right click the copied connection setting and select Rename
    • Example: EU Server HL1
  • Right click the copied connection setting and select Properties
    • Host Name: Replace localhost with Assigned Dynamic DNS Hostname
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Server Manager
        • Select your localhost setting and click Connect
        • Click Dynamic DNS Setting
        • Copy the Assigned Dynamic DNS Hostname and click Exit
        • Close the SoftEther VPN Server Manager
      • Paste the Assigned Dynamic DNS Hostname to replace localhost
        • Example: vpn149908733.softether.net/tcp
    • Click Advanced Settings
      • Number of TCP Connections: 8
      • Click OK
    • If VPN Azure is enabled
      • Host Name: Replace softether.net with vpnazure.net
        • Example: vpn149908733.vpnazure.net/tcp
      • Port Number: 443
      • Click Advanced Settings
        • Use Data Compression: Yes
        • Click OK
    • Click OK
  • Right click the copied connection setting and select Export VPN Connection Setting
    • Save the connection setting file and keep it in Google Drive, MEGA, etc.
    • Share the connection setting file to all clients
  • Right click the copied connection setting and select Delete -> Yes
  • Connect to the VPN Server
    • Windows
      • Right click your localhost connection setting and select Connect
    • Linux (Wine)
      • Open the Terminal to establish localhost connection
        • sudo /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh connect "<localhost_connection_name>"
          • Example: sudo /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh connect "localhost HL1"
  • Close the SoftEther VPN Client Manager

SoftEther VPN Client (Client PC - Linux)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Client
  • Extract the archive
  • Open the Terminal
  • Change working directory to the extracted vpnclient folder
    • cd "<path>/vpnclient"
      • Example: cd "${HOME}/Downloads/vpnclient"
  • Install SoftEther VPN Client
    • make
  • Move the vpnclient folder to /usr/local
    • cd ..
    • sudo mv vpnclient /usr/local
  • Create a VPN Client startup script
    • Download a vpnclient.service file to /lib/systemd/system
      • curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/6syxBcdG | tr -d '\r' | sudo tee /lib/systemd/system/vpnclient.service > /dev/null
    • Enable the VPN Client service
      • sudo systemctl enable --now vpnclient
  • Create a VPN Client connection / disconnection script
    • Download a client.sh file to /usr/local/vpnclient
      • curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/LwHX4Zd3 | tr -d '\r' | sudo tee /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh > /dev/null
    • Assign execute permission to the client.sh file
      • sudo chmod +x /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh
  • Use Wine to install the Windows version of SoftEther VPN Client Manager

SoftEther VPN Client (Client PC - Windows)

  • Download the latest version of SoftEther VPN Client
  • Run SoftEther VPN Client setup
    • Click Next
    • Select Software Components to Install
      • Windows
        • Select SoftEther VPN Client
        • Click Next
      • Linux (Wine)
        • Select SoftEther VPN Client Manager (Admin Tools Only)
        • Click Next
    • Agree to the End User License Agreement and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Specify the install directory and click Next
    • Click Next
    • Click Finish
  • Open the Client Manager
    • Windows
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Client Manager
    • Linux (Wine)
      • Open the SoftEther VPN Client Remote Manager
      • Connect to Local Computer: Yes
      • Click OK
  • Click Virtual Adapter -> New Virtual Network Adapter
  • Specify the Virtual Network Adapter Name and click OK
  • Wait until adapter is created
  • Click Connect -> Import VPN Connection Setting
    • Select the connection setting file (contact server administrator to obtain it)
  • Connect to the VPN Server
    • Windows
      • Right click your connection setting and select Connect
    • Linux (Wine)
      • Open the Terminal to establish connection
        • sudo /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh connect "<connection_name>"
          • Example: sudo /usr/local/vpnclient/client.sh connect "EU Server HL1"
  • Close the SoftEther VPN Client Manager
@endyb66
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endyb66 commented Nov 22, 2025 •
edited
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Perhaps the firewall got reset at some point? And does it work with regular port forwarding instead of using a VPN?

I've already tried disabling the Windows firewall on both clients. I've never tried using the online mode, only in LAN where it works just fine. Today I did some testing with some more games:

These games work perfectly fine

- Quake III Arena
- Soldier of Fortune Platinum Edition
- Unreal Tournament 99
- Call of Duty - World at War - Multiplayer
- Cossacks - Back to War - (Modded 1.42)

Does not work

- Cossacks - Back to War (Original 1.35)
  -> Host is visible, connecting works but can't press "start". It says something that there's no connection to the Host tho I'm joined into it / the lobby - Might be a game related issue
- Call of Duty - World at War - Coop / Zombies
  -> Issue as described above (Host is visible but can't join)

@Nachlor
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Nachlor commented Dec 2, 2025

@endyb66 Does CoD: WaW Co-Op work with /set dedicated 1 command?

@endyb66
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endyb66 commented Dec 3, 2025

@Nachlor This command works only on the CoD: WaW MP mode afaik.

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