Java chat program, works on single PC, but not over internet?

Question

I got bored so I started writing a chat client in java, its IRC style, a server and as many clients as you want. It works fine on a single computer (using 127.0.0.1 as the IP) but not over the internet.
I've tried running the server and client on my home PC, set up the ports to be forwarded on my router and enabled them in the windows firewall but I get the error "Connection refused" when trying to connect using my external IP (ISP) address, same with me running the server and a mate running the client.
The class chatHandler was basically stolen off the internet, the rest I wrote myself or modified bits of code to suit. I wrote it in netbeans with the GUI builder.
I've hosted both projects in the single zip, if you want to run the application just open the .jar file in the dist folders, or view the source via the src folder, or alternatively you can load the project up in NetBeans so its easier to play with the GUI.
So yeah if anyone can help me out with why its not working that'd be great, I've added the port to my firewall (default 60111). My ultimate goal is to implement an actual protocol so it isn't just sending plain text, then I can easily send files to mates etc.
http://rapidshare.com/files/208309140/ChatProgram.zip.html
Edited by: rolls on Mar 12, 2009 4:58 AM

Answer 1

what I have done recently is this:
have added java.exe, javaw.exe, the ports Im using to the windows firewall and also the ports I am using to my router.
I have also tried changing :
server = new ServerSocket(port);
to:
InetAddress IP = InetAddress.getByName(IPAddress);
server = new ServerSocket(port, backlog, IP);
(IPAddress = 192.168.1.3 my lan NIC)
As I believe it was binding to my local loopback adaptor, hence not seeing any packets when using a packet analyser, however now I get an exception, after printing a stacktrace from the client I get this.
However I can now connect using 192.168.1.3 just not using my external IP address.
java.net.ConnectException: Connection refused: connect
at java.net.PlainSocketImpl.socketConnect(Native Method)
at java.net.PlainSocketImpl.doConnect(PlainSocketImpl .java:333)
at java.net.PlainSocketImpl.connectToAddress(PlainSoc ketImpl.java:195)
at java.net.PlainSocketImpl.connect(PlainSocketImpl.j ava:182)
at java.net.SocksSocketImpl.connect(SocksSocketImpl.j ava:366)
at java.net.Socket.connect(Socket.java:519)
at java.net.Socket.connect(Socket.java:469)
at java.net.Socket.<init>(Socket.java:366)
at java.net.Socket.<init>(Socket.java:180)
at chatclient.Client.run(Client.java:60)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:619)
Why is my connection getting refused? I've set up a virtual server and port forwarding on my router, and turned off the windows firewall.