Configuring Forwarding Rules - Zoom Wireless-N User Manual

Configuring Forwarding Rules

If you are using your Router for gaming, you may need to make changes to the Router's firewall
setting for the game to work. This is done by setting up a DMZ or virtual server, or using port
triggering so that the Router's firewall won't block the other players from your system during your
gaming. The main difference between the three methods is the amount of access someone has to
your system.
A virtual server will allow access to your computer or gaming station on certain ports. A port is a
channel that is used by applications (such as games) for communication. For example, the
directions for the game you want to play over the Internet might tell you to open up port 6000.
Port triggering works by sensing when data is sent out on the predetermined outgoing port and
then automatically opening up the corresponding incoming port(s). It will automatically forward
the traffic on the incoming port to the computer that accessed the outgoing port. If your game uses
one port to send outgoing data and a different port (or ports) for incoming data, you may want to
use port triggering. The advantage of port triggering is that it is more secure than setting up a
virtual server since the incoming port is only open when you are using it, and since it tracks which
computer sent the outgoing data. port triggering can also be easier to set up because you do not
need to know the IP address of your gaming station. The disadvantage of port triggering is that
only 1 host can be accessing the port at one time, so if you have two computers or game stations
playing the same game on your network you will need to use a virtual server or DMZ.
A DMZ differs from a virtual server in that it allows access on all ports of the computer. Because
of this, DMZ's are less secure and should be used with caution on your computer. However
DMZ's work well with your gaming stations since security is not as much of an issue for gaming
stations as it is for computers.
Some games support UPnP. If your game supports UPnP then you do not need to set any
forwarding rule since UPnP will automatically set up the Router to work with the game.
You can use the Forwarding Rules page to configure the options mentioned above, for allowing
access to devices behind your Router.
52 Wireless-N 4-port Router User Manual