Network Troubleshooting Guide

Contents
Introduction Quick Notes Firewall Settings
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard): Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard): Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger):

Windows Firewall:
Windows:

Other Troubleshooting Tips Router Settings Support

Introduction
This guide is helpful for users trying to use mSecure with either the desktop version of mSecure or mBackup and having difculty getting the sync, backup or restore functions to work properly.

Quick Notes
One common mistake that new users make is understanding which communication function to use with which desktop app. mSecure for the desktop (mSecure for Windows or mSecure for Mac) will respond to all three communication functions; Sync with Desktop, Backup Data and Restore Data. However, since mBackup is only a backup/restore utility, it will only respond to the Backup Data and Restore Data functions. A brief explanation of these functions are: Sync with Desktop: This function performs a two way sync with the desktop version. At the end of the sync, any changed made on the device will be merged with any changes on the desktop and will result in the same data on both platforms. mSecure and mSecure for the desktop provides a multi-way sync. That is, you can sync any number of devices (iPhone or iPod touches) with a desktop computer. Like wise, you can sync a device to any number of desktop versions. Backup Data: This function sends a backup of the data to the desktop. In the case of mBackup, this backup is saved in the backup list for later use. In the case of mSecure for the desktop, it will replace any data in mSecure on the desktop with the data in the device version. Any data already in the desktop will be overwritten. In this situation, mSecure for the desktop will rst prompt you if you want to do this. Use of this function with mSecure for the desktop is very rare and the Sync with Desktop is typically recommended. Restore Data: This function receives a copy of the data from the desktop and restores the data to the device version. This is typically used only if something has happened to the data on the device and you wish to restore it from either mBackup or mSecure for the desktop. In most situations, mSecure should be able to nd the desktop app on the local network (the desktop app must be running). mSecure also allows the user to manually add a specic IP address and port number. However, this should only be used in advanced situations where you know that there is specic ports being blocked or other rare situations.

Firewall Settings
mSecure for the desktop and mBackup require permission to receiving incoming network connections on your desktop computer. Your Firewall may be blocking mSecure for the desktop or mBackup from receiving these connections. The following are instructions based on each platform and its built-in Firewall on how to adjust the settings. For simplicity, the screen shots reference either mSecure for the desktop or mBackup but not necessarily both. Substitute the app youre using if its not the one referenced. There are also numerous third-party Firewall software programs on the market and they all cant be covered in this guide. If you have a third party Firewall, please rst try completely disabling it to see if it resolves any issues you have connecting. Then it shouldnt be too difcult to re-enable it and adjust the settings by reviewing how its done for the appropriate Firewall listed here.

Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard):

You can nd the Firewall settings in the Mac System Preferences in the Security view. Then click on the Firewall tab. With the built-in Firewall on the Mac in 10.6, the Firewall can be either on or off. If its off and thats your desired Firewall setting, you do not need to do anything further with these Firewall settings. If the Firewall is on, youll need to choose the Advanced button (you may need to rst click the unlock button to get access to the Advanced button). Here youll see the following dialog:

Youll need to make sure that the Block all incoming connections is unchecked. Having this checkbox checked will have Mac OS X block all incoming connections and mSecure will not be able to connect to the desktop app. Youll also need to make sure that the app youre using (mSecure for the desktop or mBackup) is listed in the list box of exceptions. If its not listed, click the + button and select it from the open dialog.
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard):

You can nd the Firewall settings in the Mac System Preferences in the Security view. Then click on the Firewall tab. With the built-in Firewall on the Mac in 10.5, there are three settings for your Firewall: - Allow all incoming connections - Allow only essential connections - Set access for specic services and applications.

If youve selected Allow all incoming connections, you do not need to do anything further with these Firewall settings. If youve selected Allow only essential services then you will be prompted by the OS when mSecure for Mac or mBackup runs and tries to make a connection. You need to choose the Allow option. If youve set Set access for specic services and applications you need to add mSecure for Mac or mBackup as an exception and give it Allow incoming connections privileges.
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger):

The Firewall settings on Mac 10.4 (Tiger) are found in the System Preferences and the Sharing item. Once in the sharing item, click on the Firewall tab.

You then need to specify which port to allow incoming connections on. By default mSecure for Mac and mBackup assigns a port number dynamically at launch. However, by going into mSecure for Mac or mBackup Preferences, you can specify to use a specic port. Youll want to pick a port between 1000 and 65535. However, youll need to make sure it doesnt conict with a port that might already be in use. You can get a list of common port numbers here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1629? viewlocale=en_US The desktop apps will default to port 4070. This is a reasonable port to try. If youre having a conict, you can choose another port. What ever port you set, youll need to specify in the Firewall settings that it can receive incoming connections on that port. To do this, in the Firewall tab, press the New button and set the following values: Port Name: Other TCP Port Number(s): the port specied in mBackup Preferences UDP Port Numbers(s): leave blank Description: mSecure or mBackup.

Then press OK to accept the dialog. Note: Even though youre specifying a static port in these Preferences, its not needed to manually add an IP address with that port in mSecure. Its still recommended that you let mSecure automatically nd the desktop app and it will communicate the proper port to it.

Windows Firewall:
With Windows, there are a lot more options for Firewalls. Many computers are shipped with third-party Firewall/Virus protection pre-installed. This guide will address the built-in Firewall functionality of Windows. If after following this guide youre still having issues, you should browse your Windows Control Panels and look for any items that might be related to a Firewall and examine the settings. Typically if youre running the built-in Windows Firewall, you should be prompted when mSecure for Windows or mBackup tries to open a connection. You need to Allow or Unblock when getting this prompt. mSecure for Windows and mBackup also utilize Apples Bonjour networking discovery software. You need to make sure that Bonjour can also receive connections in your Firewall. Note: For some reason, the prompt sometimes comes up behind the mBackup window. If mBackup appears to be hung, try moving it and see if theres a dialog behind it.
Windows:

The rst thing to do is to open your Windows Control Panels and nd the Windows Firewall item. When you open the Windows Firewall, you will see the following view (on Windows Vista and Windows 7, it opens to an overview and youll need to click on Change Settings to get to this view):

Youll need to make sure the that Dont allow exceptions is unchecked. If youre Firewall is off, youll then need to click on the Exceptions tab and add mSecure for Windows or mBackup and Apples Bonjour as exceptions. For Apples Bonjour, navigate to Program Files\Bonjour and choose the le mDNSResponder.exe to add as the exception. Reboot after making this change to be sure it takes effect.

Other Troubleshooting Tips

If after checking your Firewall settings and have it properly setup you are still unable to sync/backup/restore, you can try the following tips that have helped some users: - On your Windows machine (ignore if youre on a Mac), open a CMD window by choosing Start and then Run. In the MSDOS window, type "netsh winsock reset catalog". You should get a message that winsock has been reset but that you need to restart to complete. Restart your computer and try the backup again. - On your iPhone, go to the Settings area and then the WiFi item. Tap on the little blue > icon to the left of the network you're using. In the next view, tap on the "Forget this Network" option and conrm by hitting the big red button. Then re-connect to the network by tapping on it again and typing in the password (if needed). Try the backup again.

Router Settings
Some routers have Firewall or port blocking settings built-in. If youve properly setup your Firewall and followed the above tips and still cant get mSecure to communicate,

you should browse your routers settings for anything that looks like it might prevent one device to communicate with another.

Support
If you still have issues with using mSecure and one of the desktop apps, please email us at support@msevensoftware.com. We are always here to help. Copyright 2009-2010 mSeven Software LLC. All rights reserved.
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