openmultiplayer / openmultiplayer/open.mp

Rare connection issue: server responds to query but ignores connection packets (VPN or restarting router fixes it)

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bug
Dominant language
C++
Stars
641
Forks
208
PR merge metrics
No merged PRs in 30d

Description

Describe the bug

A rare connection issue where some players can see the server in the SA-MP client and the server responds to query packets, but when they try to join they receive: The server didn't respond. Retrying...

This affects a very small percentage of players (approximately 2 out of 100). The issue appears to happen after a server restart. Packet capture shows that the server responds to query packets from the player but does not respond at all to connection/handshake packets. Interestingly, if the player connects through a VPN, the connection works immediately. When I restart the server, the players who previously couldn’t connect are able to join, but then some other players start experiencing the same issue and can’t connect anymore.

To Reproduce
The issue is difficult to reproduce consistently, but the observed behavior is:

  1. The server appears online in the SA-MP client and responds to query packets.
  2. A player attempts to join the server normally.
  3. The player tries to connect.
  4. They recieve message: The server didn't respond. Retrying...

Expected behavior
//

Screenshots and/or logs
(packets with size 4 are connection packets, while the others are query packets from same player)

Image

Release version
v1.5.8.3079

Contributor guide

No contributing guide indexed for this repository

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the attached packet capture and test the described sequence after a server restart, comparing query and connection packets with and without a VPN. No source files, tests, or entry points are identified. Done means isolating why connection packets receive no response and verifying that affected players can connect without restarting the server or using a VPN.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
networking
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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