Port forwarding is quite a simple idea. It describes setting up a network port to forward to another from one node to another. A popular use of this is forward external requests to reach a port on a private IP via a router.

An example of what can be done with port forwarding is as follows: You may set port 21 to forward to an FTP server set up in your private network so you may access the files using your external IP address. Other times, you may need to port forward a game’s TCP and UPD ports in order to play online successfully. You may even set up port forwarding to allow the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which allows you to remotely control your computer. Windows and Mac have built in VPN function, but if you’re not satisfied with them, there are some nice programs that do the same thing, sometimes better. Whenever setting up a VPN, always remember to use a secure password, or else anyone could access and control your computer!

How to set up port forwarding?

Depending on what you are trying to port forward, there are numerous methods for each individual program/game. The best resource out there has to be a site known as PortForward.com. This site has tons of tutorials for nearly every make of router, and has helped a lot of people set up their port forwarding. If you are not sure of the make of your router, just try looking at it from top to bottom, as it should say the model somewhere on it. After that, you can check out all of their individual game and program port forwarding tutorials.

In order to check and see if your port is open and ready for use, you can visit a useful little site called canyouseeme.org. If you are having problems connecting to the port you opened, you can use this site to check to see if the port is actually open or not. This site can save you hours and hours of frustration, and I speak for many people when I say that.

* Keep in mind that if you have two separate routers (a wireless and a default router for internet), you may need to port forward on both of the routers. This involves finding both of the routers IPs, and forwarding both of them to go to the private IP of your choice.

Related posts:

1. RDP Ports What is RDP – RDP are abbreviation of Remote Desktop...
2. Find Network Key If you are in a university network or any other...
3. Port 80 Busy | How to start Apache on XAMPP and WAMP While using XAMPP or WAMP, many people get this error...
4. How does a Wireless Router work A wireless router is a network device that permits you,...
5. Ethernet Switch An Ethernet switch is a network switch used in order...