Port forwarding is the process of opening up specific ports on the router to the wide Internet. By default all the ports on routers are closed for security to prevent access from outside due to higher risk of getting hacked . But sometimes it may be required to do this in order to get access to some devices such as CCTV, Storage or servers while we are outside . Lets have a look at how to do port forwarding on some leading routers available in the market
Port fowarding on D-Link Routers
DLINK routers usually have the port forwarding settings option located within the Applications and Games or Filters or Advanced tools tab. Below gives an example of port forwarding on dlink router for a cctv DVR
Step 1:
Open your web browser. Enter the router IP address 192.168.0.1 in the address bar
Step 2:
Enter the user name (admin). Leave the password blank followed by pressing the OK button.
Step 3:
Select the Advanced tab.
Step 4:
– Select the Virtual Server tab.
– In the Name field enter a description of your DVR.
– In the Private IP field enter the DVR IP address.
– In the Protocol field, select Both.
– In the Private port enter the port number you need to port forward
(e.g. 80)
– In the Public port re-enter the port number you entered in the private port field
(e.g. 80)
– Select the Schedule to Always.
If more ports are required to be port forwarded, repeat the step 4.
Click on the Apply button to save the settings.
Port forwarding on Linksys Router
On Linksys routers the port forwarding settings option is located within the Applications and Games or Filters or Advanced tools tab. Below gives an example of port forwarding on linksys router for a cctv NVR
Step 1:
Open your web browser. Enter the router IP address 192.168.1.1 in the address bar
Step 2:
Enter the user name and password (admin by default) and press the OK button.
Step 3:
Select the Applications and Gaming tab.
Step 4:
Select the Port Range Forwarding tab.
– In the Application column enter a description of your NVR.
– In the Start entry field enter the first number of the port you need to port forward
(e.g. 80)
– In the End entry field enter the last number of the port you need to port forward
(e.g. 80)
– In the Protocol field, select Both.
– In the IP address field, enter the ip address set to your NVR
– Enable the system by checking the enabled box.
– Click Save settings button located at the bottom of the page to save the settings.
Port forwarding on Netgear Router
Lets have an example of port forwarding on netgear router for remote desktop to a PC
Step 1:
Open your web browser. Enter the router IP address 192.168.0.1 in the address bar
Step 2:
Enter ‘admin’ in the User Name and ‘password’ in the Password dialog box to enter router settings
Step 3:
Select the Services button in the Security menu
Step 4:
– In the Services menu, select the Add Custom Service button
– In the Services screen, proceed as follows:
– In the Name field, type PC Name
– In the Type field, select TCP
– In the Start Port field, enter the first number of the port you need to port forward (normally 3389)
– In the Finish Port field, enter the ending port number (3389)
– Click Apply
Next, in the Security option, select Rules
– Next, in the Rules screen select Add in the inbound services.
– Next, in the Inbound services proceed as follows:
– In the Service drop down list, select the newly created PC entry.
– In the Action field, select ALLOW always.
– In the Send to LAN Server field, enter your computers IP address.
– In the WAN Users field, set to Any.
– In the Log field, set to Never.
– Click Apply.
Port forwarding on Netopia Router
Lets have an example of port forwarding on netopia router for remote desktop to a PC
Step 1:
Open your web browser.
Enter the router IP address 192.168.62.1 in the address bar
Step 2:
Enter ‘admin’ in the User Name and ‘1234’ in the Password dialog box
Step 3:
Select Expert Mode.
Step 4:
Select the Yes, enter expert mode button
Select Configure followed by selecting NAT.
Step 5:
Select the Define Custom Service button
Select Port Forwarding Range of Ports, followed by Next.
Step 6:
In the Port Range screen, proceed as follows:
– In the Service Name field, type PC name
– In the Global Port Range field, enter in the first box, the first number of the port you need to port forward (e.g. 3389) and in the second box the ending port number(e.g. 3389)
– In the Base Host Port enter the first port to be forwarded (3389)
– In Protocol, select TCP
– Select the Next button when complete
Step 7:
In the Nat Configuration Menu, use the Service Name down box and select the
configuration just created. Select the Enable button.
Port forwarding on Motorola Router
Below gives an example of port forwarding on motorola router for a cctv NVR
Step 1:
Open your web browser. Enter the router IP address 192.168.0.1 in the address bar
Step 2:
Enter ‘admin’ in the User ID and ‘motorola’
Step 3:
Select the Gateway button
Step 4:
Select the Port Forwarding button
Step 5:
Select In the Add New Port Forward Entry screen, proceed as follows:
– In the Template field, select Custom
– In the Name field, select NVR
– In the Port Start field, enter the first number of the port you need to port forward (e.g. 80)
– In the Port End field, enter the ending port number (e.g. 80)
– In the LAN IP Address field enter the IP address (192.168.0.1)
– Check the Enable button
– Finally click the Add button, followed by selecting the Apply button.
Port forwarding on Two-Wire Router
Below gives an example of port forwarding on two wire router for a cctv NVR
Step 1:
Open your web browser. Enter the router IP address 192.168.1.254
Step 2:
Select the Firewall Tab.
Step 3:
Select Firewall Settings.
Step 4:
In the Edit Firewall Settings tab, select add a new user defined application.
Step 5:
– Select the Back button to return to the Edit Firewall Screen
– In the Edit Firewall Settings proceed as follows:
– In the Application Name field, type NVR
– In the Protocol selection, select TCP
– In the Port field, enter in the first box, the first number of the port you need to port
forward (e.g. 80) and in the second box the ending port number (e.g. 80).
– Select the Add Definition button.
Step 6:
– In the Edit Firewall Settings proceed as follows:
– In the Select a Computer field, select NVR
– In the Edit a Firewall Setting, check the Allow Individual Applications box and
highlight the NVR application which you just created. Click Add.
– Finally select the Done button at the bottom of the screen.
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