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Fast Downloading |
X - If you have a router, remember to open 2 ports for dc protocols. 1 for TCP and 1 for UDP (like 425 for TCP & UPD) remember also to put this port in dc settings.

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Why Active Mode? |
First :
1. Some hub do not allow passive user at all.
2. you will not be able to download from all the users.
3. you will not be able to search in all users shared.
Second:
There are two ways of running DC++, either in active or in passive mode, or, in other words, Active mode and Passive mode are two different connection methods that determine how you connect to other users, in order to download files.
Two passive clients can't connect to each other since at least one of them have to be active. It requires a little extra work to be active if you are situated behind a router or something similar, but it always pays off in the end. When active you will have the opportunity to connect to atleast 20 / 30% more users which in short enables a larger pool of information. The search for files will also speed up and obviously generate substantially more results.
In passive mode, your client will only make outbound connections to other users. All searches will be sent through the hub, and search results will be returned through the hub as well. the client will return a maximum of 5 search hits for a passive user. Again: Passive users cannot download from other passive users. Passive mode has limitations in connectivity and also causes strain on hubs as all passive mode communication must go through the hub. This mode is therefore a compatibility mode and should only ever be used if you cannot use active mode.Passive mode is an extra strain on hubs, so please DO NOT USE IT unless you must.
That being said, active mode on the client will make inbound and outbound connections to other users. All searches will be sent through the hub, and search results will be returned directly from active mode users and through the hub for the passive users. Active users can download from either active and passive users. Obviously that means you can download from larger group of people.
Use Active mode if at all possible!! If you are forced to use Passive mode, please keep in mind that you will not be able to connect to others that are also in Passive mode. Active-Active, Active-Passive, and Passive-Active connections are allowed, but Passive-Passive connections are not. Some of the common reasons for being forced to use Passive mode are Firewalls, Routers, and shared Internet connections. Just click on the links for additional information and some suggested settings to use.
Comparison :
The following table shows the differences between the two connection modes.
| Active Mode | Passive Mode | |
|---|---|---|
| Search requests | Directly to/from other users | Routed via hub |
| Search results | Maximum of 10 from each user | Maximum of 5 from each user |
| Connection limitations | None | Passive users cannot connect to other Passive users |
| Configuration needed | Router configuration needed, if one is used | None |
Coonfiguring Active Mode :
Due to the large number of network topologies that exist, giving universal details of how to configure Active mode is difficult. I will therefore describe the three most common topologies and give instructions for them.
Topology A :
This consists of a single computer connected directly to the internet via a "modem" (analog, ISDN, DSL, etc) with either a dynamic or static IP address.

This topology generally does not need any configuration other than enabling Active mode in Settings ¨ Connection Settings. DC++ will automatically detect your IP address and use an available port.
If you use a firewall, you may need to choose a particular port for DC++ to use. Pick any free port number between 1024 and 65535 and enter this into Settings ¨ Connection Settings. In your firewall, allow DC++ to accept connections on that port.
Topology B :
This consists of a computer as part of a network that accesses the Internet via a router. All computers on the network have static, routable IP addresses. These addresses are publicly accessible and the router is not providing any address translation service such as NAT. This topology is most likely in university/work scenarios.

The active mode configuration for this topology is the same as topology A.
Topology C :
This consists of a computer either as a part of a network or by itself, that accesses the Internet via a router or gateway device that has NAT (Network Address Translation) capabilities. NAT is an addressing system that allows a network of computers to exist behind a single IP address. The computers within the network will all have non-routable private IP addresses (addresses of the form 192.168.*.*, 10.*.*.* or 172.[16-31].*.*).
Home networks will most likely be of this type. Some office networks may also use this topology.

Active mode configuration for this topology requires two steps:
Configuring port forwarding :
Unfortunately this process is called different things by different vendors. It can be called port mapping, virtual servers as well as various other similar names. No matter the name though, the concept is the same throughout. The idea is to access the router settings and setting up a rule to ensure that all connections made to a specific port of the router (port number chosen by you) get forwarded to a particular machine on the network. This machine will be the one running DC++.
Configuring zK++ settings :
Under Settings / Connection Settings (or 'Connection'), active mode needs to be selected. The external IP address needs to be entered. This can be obtained from the router or via a website like www.whatismyip.com. A port number also needs to be entered. This is the port that was forwarded in the previous section.
How to setup Firewall for zK ++ / DC++ :
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8904 Norton
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8905 Sygate
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8906 McAfee
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8919 Tiny
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8962 Zone Alarm
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8963 Agnitum Outpost
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8964 Keiro
How to setup routers for zK ++ / DC++ :
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6518 Generally