Introduction

For those just getting started with downloading and uploading files via a router, there's nothing more annoying that staring at poor speeds on your client server. To many, it's a trial in humility to both ask for and understand the help necessary to make your downloads actually work.

Introduction

Geting started

Finding your IP address

Linksys router port forwarding guide

Netgear router port forwarding guide

For those of you looking to at last find out how to make that darn router work and finally "forward" those darn "ports," your ship has finally come in, as here I will walk you through the process step by step using language and pictures that will make even the most basic of users able to understand the process.

Now there are a variety of different routers out there, each of course having a different user interface that one must access to make changes to the router. The two most common routers used by individuals are the Linksys and Netgear models. As such, these are the two models I intend to cover, but with a basic detail of how to access and port forward them all.

Introduction

The first step in port forwarding is accessing the router. The IP address varies from router to router, so check the manufacturers website or the handbook that was included when purchased. Next open your internet browser and type in the proper IP address according to the directions below.

For LINKSYS the IP address is 192.168.1.1 and the default logins are as follows:
username = admin
password = admin

For NETGEAR the IP adress is 192.168.0.1 and the default logins are as follows:
username = admin
password = password

In each case, remember to change the passwords for your router after logging on if you haven't done so already. Since the user defaults are widely known, and are exactly that--defaults, anyone can log on to your router and leech off your bandwith, or even worse, monitor your web traffic and perhaps even block you from logging on period. So it cannot be stressed enough to change your passwords after logging on.

Okay now for the fun part, forwarding those pesky ports. I'll go over Linksys first, with a Netgear follow through afterwards.

LINKSYS

After logging on, you will see the main setup page. Click on the Applications & Gaming tab at the top of the page.

This will bring you to the Port Range Forward page. Here is where we will actually forward the ports as the page name implies.

In the first box you will enter the name of the application this will apply to, be it BitTorrent , eMule , eDonkey, or whatever . For arguments sake we will apply it
here as BitTorrent , with the specific client server program to be Azureus . So for Application type "Azureus."

For the Start and End Port, select a port from the reccomended 49152 - 65535 range. Be sure to apply this port number to the Azureus client as well. Type this port in both boxes.

In the IP Address box type the name of the computer's Ip address to which this is to apply. If your not sure what the IP address is, follow these easy steps:

open the Run dialogue box

Now type "cmd"

Lastly, type "ipconfig"

At the risk of stating the obvious, if you'll notice your IP address will be listed there at the top where it says "IP Address." This is the address for the compueter whose ports you are forwarding.

To finish last thing you want to above in the Port Range Forward page is to check the "enable" box. You'd be surprised at how a lot of people forget to do this simple task. Now click Save Settings at the bottom of the page and were all done. Presto, your ports are now forwarded.

NETGEAR

After logging on, you will arive at the main setup page. Click on the Port Forwarding / Port Triggering tab on the bottom left hand-side of the screen.