Hmz it is my first time here but what i have read sofar about your connection problems............. hmz.
Nobody asked you if you have a router, if so you have to forward a public port. Do not forget to give the whole ip including that port to your friends. something like
http://123.456.78.9:18456Maybe you have a modem with an inbuild router, then you have to do the same into your modem.
I do not know if i may tell you a website where you can see how to forward a port at what modem or router............... if i know that i will tell.
Good luck, because running HFS is wonderfull, espacialy with the new template