Question For Networking Gurus

[Paradoxx]

Hey guys, I have a question regarding my ADSL router. It is a belkin ADSL modem/router/4 port switch. I have had problems with file transfers (namely MSN peer to peer connections) and when I do the network test is tells me my connection is behind a network address translator. Can anyone tell me the best way to set this up so I can still transfer files at a decent speed and have a bit of security on my network? I'm also using pc-cillin internet security (which I dont think is the problem here) and windows firewall is disabled. I only have one PC on the network.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[chooch]

first you need to find where the problem is.

Turn off the router firewall and pc cillan firewall and try that.

[MrBean]

Sounds to me you have the NAT function on your ADSL Router enabled, it is in reality changing your IP address as it routs through that unit, so that it is more difficult for the outside world to get into your pc via hacking etc.

You can turn NAT (Network Address Translation) off for the duration of the file transfers, you can switch it back on afterwards.

Most likely your problem.

Edited 31/01/07 11:08 AM by MrBean

[Cro]

Turn on UPnP (Universal Plug n Play).

It's in your router options which you need to open using your web browser. I assume you know how to do this?

[Paradoxx]

roger, I'll give that a go

cheers...

[Paranormal]

Dude I have a Linksys router over wireless with NAT and no problems with files sharing software. I'ts more than likley your Mcafee (unless you sharing software uses different port numbers for out going and incoming) try going to start then run and type in MSCONFIG, then go to the startup tab and temporarily turn off anything to do with Mcafee, reboot and test.

Else if it is being blocked at your router It's a little complicated, maybe there is eaiser ways like get a modem with no firewall but this is basically it, first you need to go thru the options in your file sharing software and see which port number it uses to communicate (some software uses random port numbers you will need to set it to one number) if you cant find the port number it uses try searching google groups. Once you have the port number you will need to setup whats called port forwarding on your router to your pc to allow communication.

Now usually your network settings will be set to abtain network information automatically, but for port forwarding to work properly you will need to set your pc with a static ip address. Basically go to start then run type in CMD and hit enter then in the black box type in IPCONFIG /ALL, write down all settings, then go to network connections right click local area network and go to properties, then click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the properties button and enter all the details you wrote down manually.

Then go to your routers configuration page, which will be the gateway address you wrote down eailier, just type the numbers in internet explorer. The username / password will usually be admin and admin or admin and password. Now look for a section called port forwarding and put in the port number needed for you program and the destination number I.e you manullay setup IP address.

Clear as MUD??

The good news is you can now setup port forwarding in the same way to allow remote access so you can control your pc from work etc, try VNC works great. Just forward port 5900 and 5800 or if you want to use Windows remote desktop forward port 3389.

[Paradoxx]

uPnP is now enabled... now I just need to try sending a file

I'll have a look at port forwarding if this fails. Thanks for the info

[Paradoxx]

Well I dunno what uPnP does exactly, however every webpage I view is now loaded twice as fast as before

[XR64T]

The port forwarding will probably be the issue.

To temporarily test you can use the "DMZ Server" option, which will re-direct all ports to the IP address you specify.

[Paradoxx]

I managed to transfer a file to someone on the other side of the country, so it seems the problem may well be at the other end...

Thanks for the help guys.