Connect

If you are new to DC++ then there is a preconfigured file providing all the files and information you need to connect to the hub, from either on or off campus, available from http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/twofoDC++.exe This file has the optimum settings for people using twofo. Obviously if you are running Linux or MacOS that won't work so you will have to follow the guides below.
If you are already connected to the hub but can't connect to any of the people online then check the Client Help page for details on correctly setting up your client.

If you still can't connect to the hub after following these instructions ask on the forums at http://www.twofo.co.uk/forum, but do try to be specific about where the connection is going wrong, or any error message you are getting as this makes it alot easier for us to diagnose.

Getting Started

twofo is a Direct Connect hub. This means that you will need a suitable Direct Connect client for you computer in order to connect. These clients are available for many operating systems, including Windows, Linux and MacOS.

A basic guide to using DC++ can be found at http://www.b.ali.btinternet.co.uk/DCPlusPlus/gettingStarted.html

Available Clients:

Windows - DC++ - There is now a preconfigured DC++ client for those wishing to use twofo, either on or off campus, available at http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/twofoDC++.exe Simply download the file to a directory you will remember and run; instructions are provided on how to connect within the file.
Should you wish to install the standard version, the recommended versions are DC++ v0.800 or DC++ v0.699

If you download v0.761 from the DC++ website, be aware that it comes with a feature called segmented downloads, for more information click here, or to see how to disable it, please click here. The preconfigured client has this turned off by default.

Linux - Valknut , LinuxDC++, EiskaltDC++ , nanodc, microdc2

MacOS - EiskaltDC++, Shakespeer, Valknut - Scroll down for instructions on how to use stunnel with these clients.

Connecting from the Campus Residential Network (Resnet)

Note: To use twofo on campus you must be physically wired into the network. The resnet wireless counts as a separate network and so simply will not work for downloading no matter what you do, sorry.

Windows Users

The traffic shaper on resnet prevents a normal connection from DC++, so in order to connect you will have to use a program called stunnel

The easiest way to do this is to download the preconfigured client from http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/twofoDC++.exe This contains both stunnel and DC++ and a set of instructions on how to set it up to connect to the hub.

However, if you already have DC++ installed and just require stunnel then please follow the steps below:

1. Download the rar file from http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/stunnel.rar (or http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/stunnel.zip for if you don't have winrar installed)
2. Extract ALL the files into a folder.
3. Then run the stunnel.exe.
4. Once the icon is in the tray, just set DC++ to connect to localhost:8000 (File -> Quick Connect) and it takes you straight onto twofo.

Once connected you can type /fav in the main chat window to add twofo to your favourite hubs.

If you wish, you can of course download stunnel yourself from http://www.stunnel.org/ , but you would have to configure it yourself to connect to the SSL server hub.twofo.co.uk:4146

If you are getting the message '*** Connection refused by target machine' when trying to connect to the hub then make sure that stunnel is running. You will need to restart stunnel each time your restart your computer, and without it running in the background you will not be able to connect to the hub. The above message is almost always caused by the lack of stunnel. When stunnel is running it should put an icon in your system tray (next to the clock). If you still can't connect then ask on the forums.

YOU WILL HAVE TO BE IN ACTIVE MODE (on the latest versions of DC++, this is called "Direct Connection") AND HAVE THE CORRECT IP IN DC++ IN ORDER TO SEARCH AND DOWNLOAD. You can find your IP at http://checkip.dyndns.org/

There is an extensive guide to any other problems you may have downloading here

It is a very good idea to consider setting up your firewall to block Off Campus connections to DC++ when on campus. Guides to doing this can be found here

Mac Users

If you are an off campus user, you only need to download and install a relevant client, any of the stuff about using stunnel or SSL encryption can be ignored as you just need to connect to hub.twofo.co.uk:4144 and set up port forwarding.

Recommended Method - EiskaltDC++

This has been successfully performed on OS X Mavericks (10.9.2) and is relatively easy.

1) Download stunnel - (the tar.gz file - stunnel-5.01.tar.gz is the latest at time of writing). You will also likely need the Developer Tools (download Xcode from the app store or install it from your DVD)
2) Extract it either using either an archive manager or terminal ('gunzip -c stunnel-5.01.tar.gz | tar xopf -' will do it)
3) Configure it (cd to the folder it extracted to and 'sudo ./configure')
4) Make it ('sudo make' followed by 'sudo make install')
5) Navigate to /usr/local/etc/stunnel and create a file called 'stunnel.conf' and open it with textedit
6) Paste in the following (The 8004 port number can change to whatever you like, more or less):

;output = /tmp/stunnel.log
pid = /tmp/stunnel4.pid
client = yes
[twofo]
accept = 127.0.0.1:8004
connect = hub.twofo.co.uk:4146

7) Launch stunnel: open terminal and type 'stunnel'. If it worked, nothing should really happen. Every time you use twofo, you'll have to do this (It should last between restarts)
8) Download and run EiskaltDC++ - the latest DMG, 2.3.0, will be good for you if you're on 10.9/Mavericks - otherwise perhaps try a different one.
9) Go to preferences -> conncetion and put in your IP (Get it from network preferences -> ethernet)
10) Close preferences and go to 'Favorite Hubs'. Add a new one named whatever, address of 127.0.0.1:8004 (unless you changed the default port in the conf file), set mode to active and give yourself a nick. Enable autoconnect if you like. Hit ok, connect and you're away. You may need to tweak the OS X firewall, although I didn't.

Shakespeer

It would be worth attempting both of the methods listed below if the first one you try doesn't work. Feedback on the instructions would be appreciated if you have any when completed (either successfully or unsuccessfully)

Old Method

NB. Installing stunnel (required for shakespeer) requires the Developer Tools application to be installed from your original Mac CD/DVD. If you are not sure whether or not you have this installed, then it is worth just trying the install in case you do, but if you reach an error about C compilers then you will have to find your DVD.
If you do not have this then skip to the valknut section and use that. For what appears to be a nice guide on installing the Developer Tools from the DVD please have a look at http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_to_install_apple_developer_tools_cc_gcc_mac_os_x.html

The recommended method method (as Valknut isn't a very user friendly program for novice users) is to use Shakespeer. If you are off campus you can just download Shakespeer and connect directly to hub.twofo.co.uk:4144 and not have to worry about stunnel, SSLEnabler etc.

1) Make sure you have Developer Tools installed. They can be installed on the OS X install Disc under Optional Installs/Xcode Tools/XcodeTools.mpkg ...

2) Download, extract and compile stunnel from stunnel.org - should compile just fine. To do this follow the steps below:
2a) Download the latest stunnel source package from http://www.stunnel.org/download/source.html (the tar.gz version). By default this will go to your 'Downloads' folder.
2b) Extract the files by double clicking on the file.
2c) Open a Terminal: Applications > Utilities > Terminal.app
2d) Navigate to the extracted files (if on the desktop still, cd desktop/stunnel-4.26 (or whatever version you have downloaded)).
2e) Run 'sudo ./configure' entering the password if/when asked.
NB. If you get an error at this stage saying 'Error: No acceptable C compiler found in $PATH' then have a look at the note above about develop tools on the mac.
2f) Run 'sudo make'
2g) Run 'sudo make install'

3) Download and install SSL Enabler, hosted at http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/SSLEnabler.dmg (PowerPC package - won't work on newer OS X versions, even after DMG conversion. Set up stunnel using instructions in Eiskalt method above

4) Download Shakespeer from http://shakespeer.googlecode.com/files/shakespeer-0.9.11.dmg

5) Start Shakespeer, share some files and folders in order to get it hashing while you complete the rest of the setup

6) Start SSL Enabler. It will ask to install Stunnel. Click yes, the install happens in the background, but doesn't work very well in reality (so yes, that's why we need step 2), but at least it wont ask you again. Then, configure followingly:

Localport: any of your choosing. eg. 8000. Remote Server IP: hub.twofo.co.uk Remote Port: 4146

--> Press Save

7) Go to Shakespeer settings, set network mode to Active, and enter your ip-address manually in the settings (it wont work with automatic mode). Port can be anything really (eg. 9176).

8 ) Go to bookmarks: Add a bookmark.

Name: twofo Address: 127.0.0.1:8000 (or the port you chose earlier, obviously)

9) Connect and enjoy a healthier (??) Valknut-free life at twofo.

10) FINALLY, AND IMPORTANTLY : Make sure your firewall is set up correctly. Go to System Preferences --> Security --> firewall. Make sure it is not set on "Allow only essential services", but rather on "Set Access For specific services and applications". Press the + button in the bottom left and add Shakespeer. Then set it to allow incoming connections. Now, you should be good to go !

Alternate Method

Requirements: Shakespeer, Wine (included with Winebottle), Winbottle, twofo stunnel zip

1) Install Wine & Winebottler as normal applications.
2) Open winebottler, and create a custom prefix by doing the following:
2a) Unpack Stunnel.zip and move the folder into Applications.
2b) Go onto winebottler and create a "custom prefix"
2c) When it says install file, choose the stunnel file named stunnel.exe in the applications folder and click open
2d) Check the box underneath where it says "install file" named "copy only, ….", and click save
3) This may take a while, so be patient.

4) In winebottler again, go to Existing Prefixes
5) Choose 'Add Empty Prefix' and choose the prefix you just created. This should come up with the name of the prefix, and 'Working Copy'
6) Navigate to stunnel.exe in the folder you extracted (or using finder)
7) Open stunnel.exe using wine (Right click -> Open With -> Wine), and choose the prefix you just created.
8) Now the wine glass in the top bar should have the prefix you have just made. and in task manager stunnel.exe should be there amongst others
9) Finally install Shakespeer, and connect to localhost:8000 and you ought to be online

Valknut

The other method is to download Valknut for Mac OS X, http://snaggledworks.com/software/valknut/. Users of Intel Macs will need to download and install Fink in order to be able to install valknut.

Next, customise your settings, making sure you share at least 5GB of data. Add a bookmark with a profile and tick the "Secure Socket Layer" option: this will save you from installing stunnel , set the host as: hub.twofo.co.uk:4146 by doing the following:

1. Open the hub list (Action menu -> Hub list), if it's not already open

2. Click the "Bookmarks" tab

3. Right click anywhere in the bookmarks list and choose "Add" to bring up the add bookmark dialog

4. Put "hub.twofo.co.uk:4146" in the "Host" box

5. Tick the box next to "Profile", so that the Profile button gets enabled

6. Press the Profile button. The dialog gets bigger, and a "Secure Socket Layer" checkbox appears

7. Tick the "Secure Socket Layer" box, and just connect to the hub.

8. Put your IP from http://checkip.dyndns.org into the IP box in settings.

9. Go to File --> Quick Options --> Download Mode: Single to disable multi source downloading if on campus. See the FAQ for a detailed explanation as to why this should be done.

10. Valknut may need to be allowed in the Mac firewall. A guide to this can be found at http://www.umnp2p.com/mac/ Although this is aimed at Shakespeer users, the basic steps ought to be the same. You just have to choose Valknut instead of Shakespeer and set the TCP and UDP ports Valknut uses by default. Otherwise the firewall may need to be switched off in order to download.

This works for sure on Panther Mac OS 10.3.9 and Intel 10.4

Linux Users

If you are an off campus user, you only need to download and install a relevant client, any of the stuff about using stunnel or SSL encryption can be ignored as you just need to connect to hub.twofo.co.uk:4144 and set up port forwarding.

LinuxDC++

To use LinuxDC++ on twofo, you will need to run stunnel separatly. You can get Stunnel from http://www.stunnel.org/ or your package manager/repositories depending on your distro . For Debian based distro's use the command "sudo aptitude install stunnel4".

Once installed make the following changes to /etc/stunnel/stunnel.conf (or replace it with the preconfigured one from http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/stunnel.conf)

Under 'Service-level configuration' add the following lines:

[twofo]

accept = 8000

connect = hub.twofo.co.uk:4146

Now you need to modify these existing lines:

"cert = /etc/stunnel/mail.pem" should be changed to ";cert = /etc/stunnel/mail.pem"

";client = yes" should be changed to "client = yes"

(You can pick any high numbered port you like instead of 8000)

Next open a root terminal and type the command (stunnel has to be run as root):

stunnel4

Or you could type the following command (should ideally work without modifying the configuration in the stunnel.conf file)

stunnel -c -d 8000 -r hub.twofo.co.uk:4146

Finally, open your Direct Connect client, set yourself to Active mode and put in your IP from http://checkip.dyndns.org/ , and connect to 'localhost:8000'

Valknut

Those wishing to use valknut will need to download and compile from the source as describe at http://wxdcgui.sourceforge.net/compile.html The valknut in your repositories is too old and thus cannot download from modern DC++ clients (ie. everybody else)
In Valknut you can simply add a Bookmark to your Hub List for twofo - Address: hub.twofo.co.uk:4146 and then under 'Profile' make sure you've ticked the 'Secure Socket Layer' (SSL) box. (Same as the guide for Valknut for mac users below) This avoids the need to install stunnel completely.

CrZDC++

CrZDC++ is based on a more recent version of DC++ and is available from http://www.crzdc.net/ To use it on campus you will however need to compile both it and stunnel. As such the instructions for stunnel and what address to connect to are the same as for LinuxDC above.

EiskaltDC++

EiskaltDC++ is a cross-platform program that uses the Direct Connect and ADC protocol. It is compatible with other DC clients, such as the original DC from Neomodus, DC++ and derivatives. EiskaltDC++ also interoperates with all common DC hub software. To use it, you can either compile it or download packaged files (Linux/Windows/Mac). You will also need to have stunnel configured as per instructions under the LinuxDC++ section.

You can download EiskaltDC++ from http://code.google.com/p/eiskaltdc/downloads/list

Packages are available for various distro's, links for these are available on their homepage.

Command Line Clients

For any users wishing to use a command line client on linux there are two options available to you, nanodc and microdc2. Neither of these clients are still in development but both have been shown to allow users to chat and share on DC++ successfully.

The latest version of nanodc can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/projects/nanodc/ and there is a guide to using http://nanodc.sourceforge.net/nanodc2.html. NB. The download links off the guide are for a slightly older version of nanodc so you are recommended to get the latest from souceforge, however the guide is still accurate

The original microdc2 site has been down now for some time, but for the purposes of here there is a copy of the page with the build instructions at http://astropointy.kicks-ass.net/~james/microdc2.htm The tar.gz source file can be found at http://astropointy.kicks-ass.net/~james/microdc2-0.15.6.tar.gz

The original microdc2 site was hosted at http://corsair626.no-ip.org/microdc/

You WILL need port forwarding set up to use DC++ from off campus and behind a router. Please see this guide

Connecting from anywhere else on campus

Unfortunately, due to the way the network is set up, it is impossible to connect to twofo to download from anywhere on campus other than RESNET (ie. somewhere in halls). You might be able to connect to twofo, but you won't be able to connect to anybody else online to download.

Other places on campus include, but are not exclusive to, any wireless, the library, learning grid and any departmental computers. The best thing you can do in these cases is to find a friend on campus and 'borrow' their network port for a small amount of time.

Connecting from Off Campus

Using a client off campus is much the same as using one on campus, except for the lack of necessity for using stunnel. Windows users can again use the preconfigured client at http://www.twofo.co.uk/resources/twofoDC++.exe and just connect to the off campus option in favourite hubs as displayed, however many of the options set are optimised for a campus connection rather than a broadband one so ask on the hub if you need advice about disabling some of them.

Connect to hub.twofo.co.uk:4144 (Please do not use stunnel, it confuses other users into thinking you are on campus). This connects on the standard port which typically is not blocked by ISPs.