Port Forwarding 101
Created by |if3|355
The basic understanding of a router is that it filters out good connections from bad connections, and to save IP addresses from being un-necessarily used (Network Address Translation or [NAT]).
This usually reaks havoc for gamers, and computer enthusiasts a like, sort of like you and I. The difference here is that, I have experience with port forwarding and routers, and you may not.
So, 'Port Triggering' and 'Port Forwarding' are common words used to to describe this type of rule when filtering our connections from your routers point of view.
Your Router is like a firewall on your computer, it is in fact almost the exact same thing. So Disable your firewall on your computer, and "add an exception" to your router, which is known as "Port Forwarding".
Imagine your router as a kindergarten science-fare project, imagine it like a pyramid of Toilet Paper Rolls (For you who use a budeai imagine it as gift wrapping cardboard rolls).
( )
( )( )( )
( )( )( )( )( )
We would like to pass rubber balls and toy cars down the toilet paper rolls, but, sometimes, our computer wont let us because of blockage.
(-----)
( )( )(-----)
( )(----)( )(-----)( )
Well, now imagine "Port forwarding" as a sort of, toilet snake; It can clear this type of blockage really, easily, the only thing you need to to, is know the "Port" that is blocked, and allow traffic through.
FAQ:
Why?
Q: Why can I connect to things, like MSN, AIM, YIM, The Internet, and some other games?
A: Because, routers use 'one way' filtering, which dis-allows people from connecting TO-YOU rather than you connecting to someone else.
Q: Hold up, How do I even know I have a router? I've never even thought of it before, does it look like a fax machine? is it very noticeable?
A: Not in all cases, and routers don't look like fax machines at all, they are little boxes that connect you to the modem, which connects you to your Internet Service Provider (ISP); then they connect you to the internet.
Sometimes, like BELL, they have these All-In-One Modem/Router machines, which are not configurable, like some of the "Siemens" Combo router/modem devices, there is no way to port forward them because it's done at their headquarters.
If this is the case, you may NOT be able to "Port Forward" at all, because all the filtering is done at your ISP's (Internet Service Provider's) head quarters. Which is bad in your case, because you will not be able to open the ports. (You may want to consider another ISP, or ask them to add an Exception to your internet service)
Check Availability (Existence of router):
Now, if you arn't sure if you have a router or not, a simple few clicks, and a few taps of your keyboard keys will help you out.
Assuming your on WINDOWS:
Click Start, Run, then type in "cmd", or "command.com" *Ignore quotes*,
Once this black window shows up, called the "Command Prompt", type in:
"ipconfig" *Ignore quotes*, this will tell you all the information you need for your IP address.
If the "DEFAULT GATEWAY" is similar to your IP ADDRESS, then you have a router, If it's the exact same then that just means you're on dialup internet; and you probably don't need to port forward.
Example: my ip address shows "192.168.0.43", and my default gateway shows "192.168.0.1", you will have a router.
With the "DEFAULT GATEWAY" you enter it into your web browser of choice: Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, etc. "...unless you have a Belkin router which is only supported by Internet Explorer. Using Opera or Firefox will allow user to login to the router and appear to take the changes but the changes made are not saved and there are no error feedback messages such as invalid port number." - Spaz.
And it will bring you to a page that asks for a username and password, if so try a bunch of combinations like:
User: admin
Pass:
User: admin
Pass: admin
User: admin
Pass: password
If none of these work, look around that page for some information about your router; the model name ( Realm ) and manufacturer, eg: Linksys, or DLink. Simply, type in google "default password dlink dir-625", or what ever model and manufacturer developed your router.
This should bring up a bunch of queries, telling you the default username and password to your router. Once obtained, you may log in. (if not, RESET your router manually with the RESET button, or unplugging it for a few minutes.)
Look around on your router, get a feel for it, even if you don't know what things do, you won't break it. And if by any chance you do botch it up, just RESET it, and it will reset all the default factory settings, username and password.
Port Forwarding:
Usually, under "Advanced", there should be something about, "Applications", "Port Triggering", and/or "Port Forwarding".
Enter in a name for the RULE, I usually like to keep it organized and call it something like "DukesterX-8501", or so. The port type Should be "Both", if there isn't a "Both" in there, then use an Asterisks "*", If there isn't either a "Both" or an "*" then set up 23513 for "UDP" and 8501 for "TCP", <-- This is crucial. The Port, should be 8501-8501 (if they give you a range of ports to open).
All routers are different, some may ask you to enter in an IP address, or a RANGE of IP addresses, Enter in the computers IP addresses that you wish to play with, or if you don't want to have to worry about doing anything else with your router, add the full range of ip addresses, eg: 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.254. This will save you the hassle of ever having to worry about configuring your router to "statically" assign your computer the same IP address, See below for more details.
Remember to "ENABLE", "APPLY" or "SUBMIT" this RULE.
Now that your all properly set up, Assuming that you are, you may now go on to configure DukesterX. (Find IP, and Attempt to find, are good to have enabled.)
If you can't figure out how to port forward, this website www.portforward.com has an extensive guild of how to port forward and set up your network.
Port Forward Website:
Select your brand of router, and read the information.
Note: You do not need any of these programs listed, if any are listed.
They just show you how to set up applications using "Port Forwarding".
For other programs and games here is a website that might help you with port forwarding.
If you intend to play Duke Nukem for a long time and you don't have the option of port forwarding for your whole network: you should take "Static IP's" into consideration. You should set up your router to statically *aka permanently* assign your preffered gaming computer the same IP (portforward.com has a guide on how to do this). If your IP address lease expires or changes: your router will not be configured to have the ports properly forwarded, which will cause Duke Nukem to *fail*. As the router will only have them forwarded for your previous IP address, which is no longer in existence.
Does this tutorial seem too advance for you? Try Alien's router guide here.
