There are many methods for playing Red Alert with other people.

• LAN
  • Troubleshooting
• XWIS ("official way")
• Troubleshooting
  • I can't connect to the lobby!
  • I can't play games!
• Hamachi
• Troubleshooting
• Advanced Guide

LAN - Local Area Network

This is simple as long as you and your friend use the 3.03 patch!

1. Download and install the patch (if you haven't got it)
2. Download the LAN patch and extract it in to your Red Alert folder (eg. C:\Westwood\RA95)
3. Start Red Alert
4. Click on multiplayer
5. Click on network
6. Host or join a game!

Troubleshooting

If you got and problems with playing it on LAN see this check list

1. Does other computers on the network see the computers that are trying to play with each other?
2. Is Red Alert allowed through the firewalls on the computers that are going to play? If this doesn't work, try to completely disable the firewall on the computers.

XWIS - The Extended Command & Conquer Westwood Online Server (Endorsed by EA)

1. Download and install the 3.03 patch (if you haven't got it)
2. Download the patchfix
3. Extract the contents of the archive into your Red Alert folder, run "patchfix.exe" and select "ra95.dat" and click ok.
4. Now start Red Alert, if the patching was successfull you will see it saying "4 Player Internet" in the bottom right corner.
   
5. Go multiplayer game, then click on "Internet"
6. Now you will probably be asked to register with Westwood, but as Westwood doesn't exsist anymore this will not work, click on "No"
7. Now you will see the Westwood Online Log in screen. Type in and nickname and a 8 character long password and click on "connect".
   
8. Now it should log in and you can play! If you somehow can't play check the troubleshooting section.

Troubleshooting

I can't connect to the lobby!

1. Download the XWIS connection tool
2. Start it and click on "Set (XWIS)" and close it. (Don't touch anything else)
3. Try to log in again, if you can log in then you are done!

I can't play games!

Disable your firewall.
If your issue is still there try the following:

1. This sounds like a forwarding error.
   You must forward these ports to your computer:
   3840, 4000, 4005, 4808, 4810, 4995, 5009, 5400
   
2. If it still doesn't work then you must forward these too.
   1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 7000, 7001, 7002
3. For more information on how to forward ports check portforward.com
   Find your router brand and model (should be written on it) then go to portforward.com's router section.
4. Choose your router from the list and then pick Red Alert from the game list, then follow the guide there while keeping the ports mentioned earlier in mind.

Hamachi

Hamachi is a Viritual Private Network application, it allows you have other people on your network over the internet (if that makes sense to you) allowing you to play "LAN" over the internet.

1. Download and install the 3.03 patch (if you haven't got it)
2. Download the LAN patch and extract it in to your Red Alert folder (eg. C:\Westwood\RA95)
3. Download Hamachi version 1.0.1.5 (Use this version as older games seems to have problems working with newer versions. Despite the game using either UDP or IPX)
4. Install Hamachi; follow the instructions the installer provides for you.
5. When you start Hamachi you will see a window providing a little introduction to Hamachi. We recomend that you read this if you have not used Hamachi before.
6. Click on the trangle button to join network or create a network.
7. While you are inside a network you may see the other people in the network. If no one is there then no one is in that network.
8. To play simply follow the LAN guide, if it doesn't work as it should then see the troubleshooting section

Troubleshooting

This is a slightly reworked version of this guide from the LogMeIn wiki

Advanced Guide

Only follow this guide if this guide didn't work

1. After installing Hamachi, run it once and insure you've configured your firewall properly and have set port forwarding on your router(s) (if you have one).
2. Re-prioritize your network adapter order:
   XP/2000: Start > Control Panel > Network Connections, then, on the menu bar, click Advanced > Advanced Settings and put Hamachi at the top of the list.
   For Vista: Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, then, on the left side panel, click on 'Manage Network Connections'. Now press Alt, click on Advanced > Advanced Settings and put Hamachi at the top of the list.
   For Windows 7: Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center, then, on the left side panel, click on 'Change adapter settings'. Now press Alt, click on Advanced > Advanced Settings and put Hamachi at the top of the list.
3. Configure the gateway and metrics:
4. In Network Connections right click on Hamachi > Properties, select TCP/IP(v4) > Properties > Advanced. Ensure that the default gateway is 5.0.0.1, if not, then add/edit it and set its metric to Automatic (this is the Gateway Metric).
   Below 'Default gateways' tick 'Automatic metric' (this is the Interface Metric).
   Quick notice: Some users have reported that their internet connection fails when Hamachi is turned on. Removing the Hamachi gateway (5.0.0.1) should resolve the problem. It is not known why this is happening, but it might be the ISP's fault. Entering a Gateway Metric manually (for example, the default "1500") can restore the internet connection, but gaming functionality may still not be available.
5. If you're running Vista ensure that Hamachi appears in the 'Network and Sharing Center' as a 'Private Network' .
   If it doesn't, then press customize (at Hamachi, of course) and set it to 'Private Network'.
6. To play simply follow the LAN guide, if it doesn't work as it should then get help in the Repairbay forums