This article shows you how to open the ports of a network router or a computer's firewall. By default, most communication ports on a normal firewall are disabled to prevent unauthorized access to the network or system they are monitoring. Opening specific communication ports is the solution to connectivity problems that can arise both between physical devices and between software programs. However, it is good to remember that opening additional communication ports exposes the network and all connected devices to a greater risk of being attacked by viruses, malware and malicious people.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Open the Ports of a Network Router
Step 1. Find the IP address of the router
In order to have access to the administration page of the network device, it is necessary to know its IP address.
- Windows systems - access the menu Start, select the icon Settings (gear shape), choose the option Network and Internet, click the link View network properties and finally find the value associated with the "Default gateway" parameter.
- Mac - access the menu Apple, choose the item System Preferences, click the icon Network, push the button Advanced, access the tab TCP / IP and find the value of the "Router" entry.
Step 2. Log in to the administration page of the network router
Start the internet browser of your choice, then type the IP address identified in the previous step in the relative address bar.
Step 3. Provide login credentials (username and password)
If you've already changed your router's default configuration settings, you'll need to type in your chosen security username and password. Otherwise you can use the default login credentials shown in the device's instruction manual or on the manufacturer's website.
If you've customized your router's default login password and can't remember it now, you can fix the problem by resetting your device
Step 4. Locate the "Port Forwarding" section
Each router has its own configuration interface which differs slightly from the others. Normally the section dedicated to the configuration of the port forwarding rules is labeled with one of the following terms:
- Port Forwarding;
- Applications;
- Gaming;
- Virtual Servers;
- Firewall;
- Protected Setup;
- If none of these entries are present, look for the option Advanced Settings o "Advanced Setup" and verify that it contains the section dedicated to "Port Forwarding".
Step 5. Open the doors of your choice
Also in this case each router has its own procedure for inserting the port forwarding rules, but in all cases the information to be provided is the following:
- Name or Description - you must indicate the name of the program or service (for example "Minecraft" or "Xbox Live").
- Type or Service Type - in this case it is necessary to specify the network protocol to be used, which can be TCP, UDP or both. If you're not sure which one to select, choose the option Both or TCP / UDP.
- Inbound or Start - the number of the communication port to be used must be indicated. If you need to open a set of doors, in this field you will have to report the lowest identification number.
- Private or End - shows again the number of the communication port to use. If you need to open a set of doors, you will need to enter the highest identification number in this field.
Step 6. Enter the local IP address of the computer or device that will use the newly opened communication port (or ports)
Use the "Private IP" or "Device IP" field. To find out the IP address of your Windows computer consult this guide, if you are using a Mac read this article.
Step 7. Save the new settings
Push the button Save or Apply. You may need to restart your network router for the changes to take effect.
Furthermore, in some cases it is necessary to activate the individual port forwarding rules just created by selecting the corresponding "Enabled" or "On" check button
Method 2 of 3: Open the Windows Firewall Ports
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Type the keywords windows firewall with advanced security in the "Start" menu
This will search your computer for the Windows Firewall Configuration program.
Step 3. Select the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security icon
It should have appeared at the top of the search results list.
Step 4. If prompted, type your computer's administration password
If you are logged into Windows as a standard user, you will need to provide the computer administrator password in order to start the required program.
Step 5. Select the Inbound Rules option
It is located in the upper left part of the appeared window.
Step 6. Press the New Rule button
It is located inside the "Actions" pane on the right side of the window.
Step 7. Select the "Port" radio button, then press the Next button
In this way you will have the possibility to manually choose the port number of the communication port to open.
Step 8. Choose whether to use TCP or UDP by selecting the TCP radio button or UDP.
In this case, to create a new rule, you need to specify the network protocol to use, unlike most network routers where you can also decide to use both protocols.
To find out which network protocol to use to create the new rule, consult the documentation supplied with the program
Step 9. Type the port number or range of ports to open
However, make sure that the "Specific local ports" option is selected, then enter the number of ports you wish to open in the appropriate text field. It is possible to indicate several numbers at the same time by simply separating them with a comma. Alternatively, you can indicate a range of contiguous communication ports by separating the first and last number with a hyphen.
For example, if you need to open port 8830, you simply need to enter the number 8830. To open ports 8830 and 8824 you will need to enter the following code 8830, 8824. Finally, if you need to open ports 8830 to 8835, you will need to enter the following text string 8830-8835
Step 10. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower left part of the window.
Step 11. Make sure "Allow the connection" is checked, then press the Next button
If not, click the relevant radio button before continuing.
Step 12. At this point, check that the three radio buttons on the "Profile" screen are selected
These are the "Domain", "Private" and "Public" items.
Step 13. Press the Next button again to continue
It is located in the lower left part of the window.
Step 14. Name the new rule you just created, then press the Finish button
This way the new settings will be saved and applied.
Method 3 of 3: Open the Communication Ports on Mac
Step 1. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen.
Remember that all Mac's firewall is disabled by default. If you haven't turned on your Mac's firewall, you don't need to perform this procedure
Step 2. Choose the System Preferences option
It is located at the top of the "Apple" menu.
Step 3. Click the Security and Privacy icon
It features a small stylized house and is located within the first section of icons in the "System Preferences" window.
Step 4. Go to the Firewall tab
It is located at the top of the "Security and Privacy" window that appears.
Step 5. Enable the changes to the firewall configuration options
Click the lock icon in the lower left corner of the window, enter the Mac administration password and press the button Unlock.
Step 6. Press the Firewall Options button
It is located on the right side of the "Firewall" tab.
Step 7. Press the + button
It is located under the box in the central part of the window that appeared.
Step 8. Select the application you want to be able to receive incoming connections from outside while the firewall is active
Simply choose the program you need to use.
Step 9. Press the Add button
It is located at the bottom of the window. This will automatically place the selected program in the Mac's firewall exception list.
Step 10. Make sure "Allow Inbound Connections" is displayed next to the name of the application you choose
If the indicated phrase does not appear on the right of the selected program, hold down the Control key on the keyboard, click again the name of the application to authorize and select the option Allow inbound connections.
Step 11. Once you have finished making changes, press the OK button
In this way the new settings will be saved and applied allowing the indicated program to receive incoming connections from the outside through the system firewall.
