PINK Server and Port Forwarding

xanatos

I am attempting to access my PINK server module from "the world at large" and I have (apparently) enabled port forwarding on my router/modem (Westell 327W), but the ports when scanned all say "closed".· The IP address in the PINK is set as static (192.168.1.44) and works well when viewed from inside my network.· I have enabled port forwarding on two ports (7788 and 591 for both UDP and TCP).· Nuttin'!!!· I go to my (checked immediately before testing) IP address, add the : and the port number (such as :7788 or :591) and - only get the "page cannot be found" or some such 404-ish screen.· Going to whatsmyip.org and using their port scanners shows the ports are closed - but the other ports around them show timeout, so there's something different there....

Is there some oddity or trick I am unaware of to get these visible outside the firewall from remote locations?

Thanks very much!

Dave X

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Chris Savage

Dave,

Although you forwarded those ports, the default port for web page access will be port 80 if not blocked for incoming traffic by your ISP. You will need to forward that port to the PINK module. Also, for the other port to work with your UDP you need to set that port in the PINK Module as the UDP Port.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering

xanatos

Thanks Chris - 80 is blocked by Verizon. Other options? And even though I specify the port in the address/IP (http://72.70.249.37:7788) it still will not send HTTP traffic through it?

Thnaks for the info,

Dave

Chris Savage

If you use a different port on the outside, you still have to direct that port to 80 on the inside. The PINK still needs to see web traffic on port 80 no matter what port you use on the outside. I don’t know how your router is set up. Some can handle doing this and some cannot.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering

xanatos

OK... I'll see what I can do - not really sure WHAT to do to implement what you've told me, but I'll figure something out. The business I'm doing this project for will need to have a reliable way of doing this at client installations, we don't want to tell a company that they need to get a new ISP to use our product! If home automation and monitoring systems can do it - there must be a way...

Thanks again, and let me know if you have any sudden flashes of insight!

Dave

Chris Savage

It’s possible the systems you refer to have the ability to change the port used for web access. Currently the PINK module does not have this capability. The UDP port can be changed though. Have you been able to confirm traffic on the port you set and forwarded?

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering

CounterRotatingProps

Dave,

Port forwarding usually only makes sense if you have fixed IP addresses assigned by your ISP. I wonder if you have dynamic ports?

Unfortunately some ISP's do block inbound port 80 requests because that's the usual port a web server listens to for http client connections. In other words, the ISP doesn't want you to run web servers -usually because they themselves provide hosting services they want you to pay for. (<rant> The BIG providers also ANNOYINGLY randomly change ports for email - wrecks havoc for many of my clients. :-( --- the ISP's claim they do this to reduce spam, but I think it's not true. </rant>)

That said, it is also quite normal these days to request static IP addresses on your account so that you can run servers, virtual networks, internet phone equipment - and PINK servers. Of course, you usually have to *pay* to get those IPs. They literally get you coming and going.

However, a high(er) speed, small business, broadband connection often comes with X number of fixed IPs gratis. You often have to request to have them enabled. For example, where I'm posting from right now is across a DSL connection at a modest 3Mbit down, 140-168? kbit up. I get 8 usable fixed IPs. Costs about $60/month.

So clearly you might not have to convince your client to switch but perhaps upgrade.

cheers,
- Howard

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xanatos

Hi Howard,

I'm working on a small routine that will submit an HTTP GET request to a script on my website's server, which will then record the IP address coming in, into another file so that when I goto a special page on my website, it will redirect me to the current IP address and the PINK Server. My IP is dynamic, but is changes fairly infrequently (usually only when I reboot my router for some reason, like messing with port forwarding settings, etc). This will work if I can get the PINK to be seen through the router, so that's the first priority. If I can do that, my system should take care of all issues arising from dynamic IPs. I Hope.

Chris - as of the moment (last night, actually, I've been making PC boards all day today) I have NO traffic able to pass through the router to the PINK. Hopefully I will be able to start messing around on that end of things Saturday or Sunday. By then I'll be ready to do something that doesn't involve developer, etchant or drill presses! ...can't wait to farm that particular aspect of the contract out to a board house!...

Dave

CounterRotatingProps

Dave,

sounds like a router setting.

- H

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Chris Savage

Agreed...different routers have different firmware and setups, snd sometimes it isn't clear to someone newer to these exactly how to set them up and get everything working.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering