PERSISTENT PORT FORWARDING FOR IPLAY for PORTS 4990-4999

 

Home wireless network routers have a software firewall, which protects computers behind its firewall from access by external computers/ servers on the Internet.  In situations like "hosting for iplay" these external computers or servers must communicate with your home network computers to allow special functions or access through access ports, which are restricted by default by your network firewall.

 

In order to host iplay, one must allow these special instructions to pass through specific ports to and from the desired home computer, which is defined by its IP address on the home network. In other words, one must allow the home network router/server to forward any special information to the computer that is to host iplay. This is called "port forwarding."  There are two ways to accomplish this but this discussion only addresses "persistent port forwarding."  This means that specified port addresses will always open for the specified computers. 

 

NOTE: Since each manufacturer of router/server hardware has its own approach and software, it would be wise to contact them and have them assist you in establishing what I describe below.

 

What I describe is for a Microsoft Wireless router/server home network.  The process should be similar for all manufacturers. 

 

First, start up the Microsoft Broadband Network Utility (from the Start Menu Programs) on the computer on which you desire to host iplay.  The computers IP address will be displayed on the first screen.  Copy and save that information.

 

Second, one has to open the iplay ports or forward communications through the iplay specified ports to the IP address (computer) above.  This must be done through the management function of the Microsoft Broadband Network Utility, probably on the master home computer on the home network.  Select the Tools menu and then the Management Tool menu. You may have to supply your security password at this juncture. Once you have signed in go to the Security Menu and then select Persistent Port Forwarding menu.

 

For iplay you will be opening up both port types, UDP and TCP, for ports 4990-4999 for the IP address you copied earlier. You will be adding entries into the table. Following is an example of inputs:

Description: iplay

Inbound ports: 4990-4999

Type: UDP

Private IP address: 192.168.2.107 (input the IP address you copied earlier)

Private Ports: 4990-4999

Make sure you add another table entry for the TCP type port using the same remaining information.

 

Verify your information and edit as necessary.