Need help with TCP/IP ports

[Sakendemo]

It appears my router has blocked my TCP UDP IP ports. I know practically nothing about routers and after 30 minutes of browsing through Windows Help and Support I came up with nothing (but learning how to ping IPs). I'm sure I've done a good job at opening the routers in Windows Firewall. I read something about the router having to forward the ports to my IP; not sure what that means. Can anyone please help?

[degsy]

What ports/applications are you having errors with.

Have you read the Router Manual section on ports?

[Sakendemo]

There was no such manual, the package came with basic instructions on installing the modem and its drivers. I have trouble running P2P software, I don't know if that helps. I also cannot host online videogames. When i run Emule (a P2P program) and tell it to test my ports (I think it checks ports TCP 4662 and UDP 4672) it says:

TCP test failed! UDP test will not be performed

If you are using a firewall, ensure that your firwall don't block the required ports! You might need to set a rule to allow the ports to be available.

If you use a router, make sure that your router forwards the required ports to your local IP!

[bAdWaYz]

What brand and mod number is your router? You should be able to access the routers setup page's with a web browser and forward the ports you need. Also you may want to turn off windoes firewall as most routers have a built in hardware firewall and sometimes running windoes firewall along side it can screw up conectivity in games and p2p apps.

[Sakendemo]

I have a Westell 2200, I just got the address I need to type in order to configure my router but I don't know what to change in order to free the aforementioned ports or make P2P programs work.

Edit: Wohoo finally:
Starting TCP connection test...

TCP test successful.

Now testing UDP...
Sending UDP packet...
Waiting for result...
UDP test successful.

I had to (I don't know if I'm using the words correctly) DMZ my router, which as I understand isn't the safest way out but the only one I can make happen.

[z1p]

That's good news. If you want to try configuring port forwarding instead, the best site I've seen for directions on doing this is www.portforward.com (http://www.portforward.com). Here is the URL for what ports need to be forwarded for different applications, including eMule (http://www.portforward.com/cports.htm). They also have directions to configure port forwarding for most routers, including yours (http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm).

[degsy]

http://www.portforward.com/westell/2200-portforwarding.htm

DMZ opens all ports on your router. Very unsafe
You may not have a PC running very long with no protection

[jamie.heaney]

I'm a closet gamer and DMZ myself while using no windows firewall, no viral protection, nothing. This is extremely unsafe but with a little commonsense will open you up to a higher level of consciousness.

Without getting into all the 'media' and 'corporate' hype about how unsafe the world is, I say dive in.

In otherwords:

I don't waste my time paying for and constantly updating virus software.
I don't believe someone's out to get me.
I don't open email attachments.

I do keep an external drive UNPLUGGED in my closet with all business and personal information.
I do have a complete reinstall plan, that takes about 3 hours.

If I am attacked, I get a virus about every 2 or 3 years and it's been 4 to date, then a 3 hour process(one in which I'm usually not even in front of the computer) returns me to normal and I am on my way.
The important part is what I dont do, in otherwords waste all this time and money on a 'viral seatbelt' that antivirus companies won't even back up themselves. When new virus' are coming out, you're only protected if your not the first one hit. And will any of those people come out and take care of your computer when their product you paid for fails? No, you call their support line...

Count the total hours and dollars you home users all spend on antiviral and firewall software and blah blah blah... in seven years I've reinstalled my computer twice for FREE. ie five hours of my life.

I didn't get soaked for the odd $30 x 7years... and all the updates, all the incompatibilities, all the programs that need it to be off, and on and on.

I'll forget the DMZ discussion about how everygame or comm, etc is going to want a different port to run, and you might as well DMZ. You all know where I'd go with that.

Forgive me Degsy but, FREE YOURSELF HOMEUSER.
Build your commonsense, tear down the walls.

I'd rather be attacked by a pimply 18 year old, than a corporate vacuum. :)

[degsy]

AVG is free. Automatically updates.
ZA Firewall is free.

Email is not the only way of transfering virii
A virus doesn't care who you are and is not out to get you, it's just programmed to infect a PC it finds with the vunerability. Sasser ;)


Maybe you should look into the Cyber Safety forum to see what virii and spyware can do to a system.

[jamie.heaney]

yes, ty Degsy, I know I'm always pushing the boundaries of this sort, I'll check that out, looks interesting.

But to help the original poster instead of my raving on, lol.

1. DMZ will keep you free and clear... any game, any teamspeak... networking freedom. But very yes, you open yourself up like a river.

2. Port forwarding and triggering are safer bets. Most all gaming or p2p programs will tell you what ports you need open.

If your already DMZing, then finding these features on your router is only another step away. In fact, you should find the routers manual most likely, at the same 192.168... address.

goodluck.

[bAdWaYz]

I wouldn't be as worried about getting a virus from having a DMZ host as I would just being out and out Owned. I won't even go into what people could do to your computer now that they know you are running DMZ. To say its unsafe is a massive understatement. With that said plz port forward or trigger if you want to game or p2p.