1. You need the retail game installed
Dawn does not distribute Final Fantasy XI. You need a legitimate installation — the digital download from Square Enix works, and no active subscription is required to play here.
2. Update the client to version 30260303
Run the PlayOnline updater until the client reports version
30260303. This has to match exactly. The login
server checks the version string and refuses anything else, because
mismatched clients show corrupted text and broken menus.
3. Install Ashita
Ashita is the launcher that points the game at a private server. Download it, then create a boot profile with the server address set to:
204.168.200.201
Leave the port at its default of 54230 unless
you have been told otherwise.
4. Create your account
Accounts are made at the login prompt itself, not on this website. Launch through Ashita, choose the option to create an account, and pick your username and password there.
Once the account exists you can sign in here with those same details to view your characters.
5. A note on modified DAT files
If you use custom DAT files, install them as XiPivot overlays rather than
overwriting anything in your ROM folders. Text DATs are tied
to the client version, and overwriting them is the usual cause of garbled
or nonsensical dialogue that only you can see.
Something not working?
Ask a GM in game, or check the guides. If a message in game looks like garbage text and nobody else sees it, that is almost always your client's DAT files rather than the server.