What Is Port Forwarding | How to Set it Up | Allconnect.com (2024)

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Lisa Iscrupe

Nov 1, 2022 — 3 min read

Port forwarding, or port mapping, allows users to direct external internet traffic to their private networks.

On this page:

  • What is port forwarding?
  • How can it help your internet connection?
  • Which internet providers offer port forwarding?
  • How to set up port forwarding

What is port forwarding?

Technically speaking, this is a process where you enable your router to use a specific port to communicate with certain devices. In other words, a user can tell internet traffic where to go, rather than it going to a location by default. This turns the computer administrator into the air traffic controller of their own data. That is, they can tell the incoming data where to “land.”

Port forwarding can help improve your network efficiency, speeds and security. It isolates your home network from the internet, so it can protect the network by adding a layer of security that limits unwanted traffic and access.

How can port forwarding help your internet connection?

Be forewarned: port forwarding doesn’t necessarily reduce lag. And don’t expect it to work miracles on slow internet speeds. But it can reduce download speeds by a few seconds, and if you are participating in an online activity that is repeatedly or constantly downloading data, such as real-time gaming, those gains can add up to a substantial amount of time saved.

How does it shave those precious few seconds off of data transport times? By directing “computer signals to follow specific electronic paths into your computer. If the computer signal can find its way into your computer a few milliseconds quicker, it will add up to dramatic speed increases for your game or your downloading,” according to Lifewire.

What is it commonly used for?

According to an Xfinity support article, “some applications require a designated port in order to work properly, and that’s where port forwarding comes in handy. It is also commonly used for:

  • Video games
  • Some email application ports, like POP3
  • Instant messaging
  • Video conferencing
  • Peer-to-peer file sharing
  • Remote computer access
  • Phone service that leverages voice over IP technology”

If you do any of these tasks regularly, read on to find out how to set it up in your home or business.

Which internet companies offer port forwarding services?

You should be able to set up port forwarding with a connection from virtually any internet provider. Many even go a step further and offer specific instructions for setting it up on their particular networks and equipment. Here are a few provider-specific guides for several of the major internet companies.

How to set up port forwarding

  1. Find your computer’s IP address and your router’s internal IP address, which may also be labeled “default gateway.”
  2. Open your internet browser and type your router’s internal IP address into the address bar and press enter.
  3. Enter your router’s password. This is typically found printed on the router itself.
  4. Once you have logged in, find the port forwarding section in your router’s settings, then input the port forwarding number and your computer’s IP address.

For additional help, watch this YouTube tutorial that explains it all in further detail and walks you through the process visually.

To find your computer’s IP address (for Windows) — Go to Control Panel (find this by using the search bar in the lower-left corner of your screen) > View network status and tasks (under the Network and Internet heading) > select the link next to Connections > click the box labeled “Details.” Your internal IP address will be labeled “IPv4 Address.”

To find your router’s internal IP address — Follow the exact same instructions as above. Your internal IP address will be labeled “IPv4 Default Gateway.”


Check back at the Resource Center for more articles on how to improve your everyday internet experience and follow our experts on Facebook and Twitter for updates on new posts.

What Is Port Forwarding | How to Set it Up | Allconnect.com (3) What Is Port Forwarding | How to Set it Up | Allconnect.com (4)

Written by:

Lisa Iscrupe

Writer, Broadband & Data Content

Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. … Read more

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What Is Port Forwarding | How to Set it Up | Allconnect.com (2024)

FAQs

What is port forwarding setup? ›

Port forwarding, also known as port management, allows remote servers and devices on the internet to be able to access devices that are on a private network. If you are not using port forwarding, only devices on that private internal network can have access to each other or your network.

Is it safe to set up port forwarding? ›

Is port forwarding safe? Port forwarding inherently gives people outside of your network more access to your computer. Giving access or accessing unsafe ports can be risky, as threat actors and other people with malicious intents can then easily get full control of your device.

Should port forwarding be on? ›

Do I need port forwarding? You might want to set up port forwarding if you require external access to services or devices within your private network from the internet, such as hosting a game server or accessing a home surveillance camera remotely.

What happens when you port forward your router? ›

Port forwarding is a map between a router's public IP address and the IP addresses and ports of the services running on a network. It tells your router to relay data that it receives on a specific port to a specific port on a specific private IP address on the network.

What is port forwarding and what is its benefit? ›

Port forwarding enables remote devices on the web to access a computer protected by a VPN by opening a non-standard port. Note that this can be a security hazard and precautions, like IP whitelisting, must be taken.

Does port forwarding affect other devices? ›

Port Forwarding allows computers over the internet to connect to a computer or server within a private home network. This makes your computer accessible to another computer through your network, which is being used to filter traffic to multiple devices on your network.

What are the downsides of port forwarding? ›

If you port forward incorrectly, it can lead to security risks within your network. More specifically, it can open a network to security vulnerabilities and cyber attacks.

What is the purpose of port? ›

Each port is associated with a specific process or service. Ports allow computers to easily differentiate between different kinds of traffic: emails go to a different port than webpages, for instance, even though both reach a computer over the same Internet connection.

How do I know if port forwarding is on? ›

To check whether port forwarding is working, you must access the router's WAN interface from the Internet. Port forwarding will not work when accessing from the local network. 3. The service or application to which port forwarding is performed must be started so that the port can be seen as 'open' during the check.

Do I need to reboot my router after setting up port forwarding? ›

If prompted, you'll also need to allow your router to restart in order for the changes to take effect. You may also have to check an "Enabled" or "On" box next to the forwarded port row.

What is a port forward for WIFI? ›

What is Port Forwarding? Port forwarding is a way of making your router use a specific port to communicate with certain devices. By setting a specific port for your devices, you are telling your router to always accept requests for those ports and forward data to a device's private IP address.

How to port forward for dummies? ›

Working with your Router
  1. Go to System Preferences > Network to find the IP address of your router. ...
  2. Copy the IP address and paste it into a browser window. ...
  3. Navigate to the Port Forwarding section of your router's interface. ...
  4. Some routers will ask you to select the device you want to port forward to.

Is port forwarding the same as routing? ›

Routing is sometimes referred to as forwarding, but it's important to note that routing is a different process from forwarding. When routing data, the router takes care of moving the data from one device to another device. When forwarding data, a device collects data from one device and sends it to another.

Do I have to restart the router after port forwarding? ›

If prompted, you'll also need to allow your router to restart in order for the changes to take effect. You may also have to check an "Enabled" or "On" box next to the forwarded port row.

How do I find my port forwarding address? ›

For Windows users:
  1. Access a Command Prompt to find out what the Default Gateway is. Click on "Start" menu button and search for "CMD". ...
  2. Type in "ipconfig" and press "Enter/Return" on your keyboard. A bunch of information will show up. ...
  3. Now that you know the Default Gateway IP address, you can login to your router.

References

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