Java Sockets time-out over the Internet

Question

I created a small chat program, that works flawlessly when client & server are run on the same computer (and probably network, too). However, as soon as I try to connec

Answer 1

If your server is behind a NAT router box (and most home computers are, especially if you use WiFi), then it won't be reachable from the outside unless you set up your router to port forward to that server.

What's the IP of your server computer? If it's 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, then it's a non-routable address and can't be reached from outside.