Port forwarding is a networking technique that allows data packets to be sent from one network device to another through a specific network port on a router or firewall. It is commonly used to enable access to services or devices on a private local network from the internet or another external network.
Here's how port forwarding works:
Here's how port forwarding works:
- Local Network: You have a local network with various devices, such as computers, web servers, IP cameras, or other networked devices.
- Router or Firewall: You have a router or firewall that acts as a gateway between your local network and the internet. This router assigns local IP addresses to devices within your network and manages the incoming and outgoing data traffic.
- Public IP Address: Your router has a public IP address that is visible on the internet.
- Ports: Each device or service on your local network communicates through specific network ports. For example, web servers typically use port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS), while online gaming might use a range of ports.
- Port Forwarding: Port forwarding is configured on your router or firewall to direct incoming data packets on a specific port to a designated device or service on your local network. When an external request is made to your public IP address on that specific port, the router forwards the request to the appropriate device, allowing it to respond.
- Hosting a web server or FTP server at home or in a small office.
- Accessing security cameras or other IoT devices remotely.
- Running online multiplayer games.
- Enabling remote desktop access to a computer.
- Running a VPN server.
- Accessing network-attached storage (NAS) devices from outside your network.