Online Gaming - Zoom X7N User Manual

6

Online Gaming

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 by using port
triggering so that the modem'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 one
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, DMZs are less secure and
should be used with caution on your computer. However DMZs
work well with your gaming stations since security is not as much
Chapter 6: Online Gaming X7N User Manual