3. Windows Firewall, provided as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2, blocks EEDLC packets

Problem (Abstract)

Windows® Firewall blocks EEDLC packets. You must add UDP ports to the firewall configuration.

Resolving the problem

Both IPv4 and IPv6 EEDLC packets are blocked by the Windows Firewall feature introduced in Microsoft® Windows XP SP2. This feature differs from the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in Windows XP releases prior to SP2. To enable the EEDLC connection, the EEDLC standard UDP ports (that is, 12000–12004) must be added to the Windows Firewall exception list. You can use any of the following methods to add the ports.

Windows Firewall configuration window:
  1. Open Windows Firewall from the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Click the Exceptions tab.
  3. Click Add to add UDP ports 12000 to 12004.
Network Connections window:
  1. Open the Network Connections dialog and click Properties > Advanced > Settings.
  2. Click the Exceptions tab.
  3. Click Add Port to add UDP ports 12000 to 12004.
Command line:
  1. Use the following commands to add each port:
    • netsh firewall set portopening UDP 12000 Udp_12000_EEDLC
    • netsh firewall set portopening UDP 12001 Udp_12001_EEDLC
    • netsh firewall set portopening UDP 12002 Udp_12002_EEDLC
    • netsh firewall set portopening UDP 12003 Udp_12003_EEDLC
    • netsh firewall set portopening UDP 12004 Udp_12004_EEDLC
  2. After you add the ports, the Windows Firewall window exception dropdown list shows the new UDP port numbers.

For additional details about the Windows Firewall, refer to the Microsoft Developer Network database.