6381-A4 Router Users Guide
63
Port Forwarding
The port forwarding (or virtual server) feature allows you to direct incoming traffic to specific LAN
hosts based on a protocol port number and protocol. Using the Port Forwarding page, you can
provide local services (for example web hosting) for people on the Internet or play Internet
games. When users send this type of request to your network via the Internet, the modem will
forward those requests to the appropriate PC. Port forwarding can be used with DHCP assigned
addresses but remember that a DHCP address is dynamic (not static). For example, if you were
configuring a NetMeeting server, you would want to assign this server a static IP address so that
the IP address is not reassigned. Also remember that if an Internet user is trying to access an
Internet application, they must use the WAN IP address. The port forwarding will translate the
WAN IP address into a LAN IP address.
NOTE:
To configure a port you must have an existing LAN client with an IP address. You can add
a LAN client on the
LAN Clients
page.
A database of predefined port forwarding rules allows you to apply one or more rules to one or
more members of a defined LAN group. You can view the rules associated with a predefined
category and add the available rules for a given category. You can also create, edit, or delete
your own port forwarding rules.
To configure a service, game, or other application:
1.
From the navigation bar at the top of the screen click
Advanced
2.
From the left hand navigation pane select
Port Forwarding
.
3.
From the
WAN Connection
dropdown select the external connection.
If the desired LAN IP is not available in the LAN IP drop-down menu, you can add it using
the LAN Client page, which is accessed by clicking
New IP
. See LAN Clients on page 72.