I have been running my layout using a CS2 and Rocrail for years, quite successfully. A few months ago my Internet Service Provider decided to do away with their Norton based virus protection software. Since I had a new computer with a one year subscription to McAfee LiveSafe Internet security for all my devices I switched my model railroad laptop over and all was fine until I tried to run Rocrail.

After I open my Rocrail Workspace I immediately get the messages every few seconds that Rocrail cannot communicate with the IP address of the CS2 and the designated port. I have added the IP address into the McAfee network addresses, added the port into the McAfee Ports section and made sure that both Rocview and Rocrail were entered into McAfee Apps/Programs section. Nothing has worked.

Any ideas? Does anyone else use Rocrail with McAfee Livesafe protection software?

Peter

I'm just guessing here, as so many things can be the issue, but maybe by installing a new anti-virus, this has reset the firewall of your operating system (Windows?), and as such you need to also open the ports and access there...
Also, maybe you need to add more ports (than just one) into the anti-virus setup.

Hi Peter
I am using Windows 10 and Rocrail.
My firewall is Windows defender and I had to declare the name of trusted programs(which I can use and let them communicate without being interrupted).
So I suppose that with McAfee it must be the same
Go to Windows Parameters/Windows Security/Fire Wall & Network protection/Authorize an application --> Rocrail
Here is an extract of my firewall regarding Rocrail See the red rectangle


BTW: windows defender is working great and included in the Windows package
Cheers
Jean

Well I knew it was too good to be true. After restarting my laptop I once again got the message from Rocrail that it cannot connect to the CS2 IP address. The tricks I used the first time by switching to DHCP and back again did not work. I disabled McAfee and it still didn't work.

I checked the CS2 Network communication with the Maerklin update site, no problem. I checked the Windows CS2 software that was issued a few years ago for PC control and it connected to the CS2 IP address with no problem. Then this is where it becomes interesting. After the PC CS2 program has established connection and control capability, the Rocrail connection error disappears and I get complete Rocrail control. I can shut down the CS2 PC software and the Rocrail control stays on. I can restart Rocrail numerous times after that with no issues as long as I don't shut down the laptop. Once I shut the laptop off and restart, the whole issue repeats.

So it does not appear to be a McAfee issue but a weird network issue. I'm stumped. Ideas?

Hi
I had this behavior in the past. CS2 not communication with Rocrail but having the CS2.exe application unlocked the situation.
Now what I did is to connect both my PC and CS2 to a router in DHCP mode and let the addresses be assigned.
Then I took note of these addresses and froze them solid through manual mode in the CS2
I also informed my firewall on existing applications
Last, I replace the router by a direct Ethernet link Laptop--CS2. Another reason I did this is the router, specifically dedicated to the layout has WiFi and proximity of the WiFi antennas to the layout caused phantom train detections (in the S88 system.

This was the end of most of my problems.

What I suspect is Rocrail does not follow all the security procedures (at least the Windows' ones) and so there are cases where Windows security stops data exchanges with the CS2. Same on the CS2 side because sometimes you connect a CS2 directly to your PC and the CS2 app jumps into demo mode (No CS2 found)
Cheers
Jean

Good to hear. Thanks Have you notified your firewall about Rocrail? (Sort of key to allow Rocrail to exchange data)
When there is no internet connection, it is safe to make a try: block the firewall, then reboot the laptop and CS2 and see if the connection is started normally.
Don't forget to unlock the firewall before any internet connection.

Cheers

Jean

Hello Peter,

I don't have the solution to your problem but I would do the following:
-uninstall the McAfee software, hoping that nothing remains hidden or active
-stop the native windows firewall
-unplug the connection to internet
-do a test to connect to rocrail from your laptop

if it is OK, then it is probably McAfee software which interferes.

If not, then it becomes more complicated ...
-remaining McAfee hidden stuff ?
-other windows component modified by McAfee?
-bug in latest CS2 firmware ?
-bug in your rocrail version ?

Good luck
Fabrice