I'm not sure if I should post this elsewhere, but this looks like the best forum section to get results...
I have created my own Minecraft server and am having troubles getting a friend of mine to connect to it.

So far I've played with all the file settings so the program itself should be good to go. I installed and updated both 32bit and 64 bit java's, mostly because i had a problem in the past setting up a previous server that required me to have 64bit java. I have setup the port forwarding with the correct port opened. I've also implemented a path value for java, although I think I was only doing that to follow the directions of creating a server through cmd prompt.
My friend is getting.... failed to connect to the server
java.net.connectexception: Connection timed out: no further information:


The only thing I have noticed that I've actually been a little afraid to click as I'm not so knowledgeable in any of this... has been a java exception that pops up and asks if i want java to communicate with public networks such as coffee shops and airports. I have not allowed that yet, although I know that could simply be the problem.... I think it's best I ask first since I'm not getting much info from google this time.
So, is it safe to allow such and try from there? or is there something else worth trying?

I run windows 7 64bit. If anything else is needed to give me a response.... please let me know.

If you can connect to the server yourself on your LAN then it's a port forwarding issue.

If not you fucked up somewhere.

I can direct connect with local host. I rechecked the port forwarding and everything was as it should be. I allowed java runtimes private and public access temporarily while i had someone trying to connect. I've installed both 32bit java and 64bit java. i've deleted and reinstalled each singly and changed the environmental paths to the appropriate running java.(still not sure if i need that with the .exe file but meh i did it) I've deleted and reinstalled minecraft and the server runner. I've done a bit of testing with blocking myself out of the server with the program, and firewall rules. I had achieved what I expected and was blocked and allowed when i wanted me to be. Can there just be some sort of clash with java? Is there maybe something wrong on his end? I'm just kind of lost and I've read forum after forum after forum, tried everything twice and then some.

If you can connect via localhost that is a good first step.

What about connecting from another computer on your lan. User you lan address (192.168.x.xxx in most cases) and see if you can connect to your server.

What about connecting from your external address yourself? Goto http://ifconfig.me and get your address (or any other means you want to use) and try connecting yourself.

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If you can't connect from within your lan using the lan address then there is something firewalling the server on that PC itself. Try disabling windows firewall and antivirus applications.

If you can connect via lan, but can't connect via external IP, that means your router's firewall is blocking the connection (or your ISP). Try to change the port the server is running from default to another, and reconfig your routers port forwarding rules and try again.

If you can connect via lan, and external yourself, then your friend is an idiot or something on his side of things is preventing him from connecting.

Your guidance helped me figure it out. I'll post my simple mistake since there is probably numerous people with the same issue still.
After port forwarding for the minecraft server... make sure it's enabled as well. thanks again.