GameRanger used to host/join LAN servers for SWBF1.

Now it hosts Internet servers instead. These can either be host&play servers or dedicated servers (managed with the dedicated server app). This mean joining now happens directly via the command-line and is extremely fast. The GameSpy parts are emulated as well and are not just faster, but instantaneous.

You do not need to do port-forwarding to host a dedicated server with GameRanger.