How to open router ports? Step-by-step guide

Do you have questions about your router? You may be wondering How to open router ports? En Tecnobits once again we help you with this. Ports are entry and exit points for data communication, and each is associated with different network protocols. If you are a user who wants to allow external access to certain services or applications within a business or home network.

In this article about how to open router ports? We will talk about the steps to follow to achieve this. We know that it can be a somewhat technical topic but we will try to make this article something light and easy to read and above all, easy to run for the average computer user. Don't worry, you're in the right place as you already know. Let's get on with the article.

What are ports and why open them?

Let's first understand what a port is. A port is a communication channel that allows data transfer between devices on a network. Each service uses a specific port. Most devices block ports by default to prevent unauthorized access and this can limit the operation of certain applications. Therefore, by opening a port, it allows a certain application to receive traffic from the external network, thus facilitating interaction between devices. Keep reading and after this we will teach you how to open router ports.

Port Types:

Ports are divided into several categories, the most common being:

Well-known ports (0-1023): They are assigned by the IANA for widely used services and applications, such as HTTP (port 80) and FTP (port 21).

Registered ports (1024-49151): They may be used for specific applications, but are not standardized.

Dynamic or private ports (49152-65535): These are typically used for applications that require a port number that is not in use.

Preparations before opening ports 

As with any computer process, we recommend that you have everything ready beforehand, whether at the software or hardware level. Therefore, before proceeding with opening ports, it is necessary to follow some very simple preparatory steps, which we leave here for you. However, if you see that it is not enough or you get stuck, we have this guide on How to access my router. 

• Identify the local IP address: Every device on a network has a unique IP address. To open a port To properly configure the device, it is essential to know the local IP address of the device you want to give external access to. Typically, this address is something like 192.168.1.2. To obtain this information in Windows, you can use the `ipconfig` command in the command prompt.
• Select the appropriate port: Determine which port you need to open based on the application you are using. Application user manuals will often specify which ports they require. Be sure to write this information down, as it will be crucial for the next step.
• Access to router settings: You need to access the router's administrative interface. This is usually done by entering its IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser. You will be prompted for a username and password. If you have never changed these credentials, consult your router's manual for the default information. 
  

Don't worry, if you've done this, what comes next in terms of step by step is much simpler and you'll be able to solve and answer the question of how to open the router ports? in a matter of minutes.

How to open router ports? Step by step to be able to open them

Once you have opened access to the router interface, here are the steps to follow to open ports:

Locate the Port Forwarding section: The terminology used may vary depending on the router model, but it is usually found under sections such as “Port Forwarding,” “Virtual Server,” or “NAT.” Look for these options in the main menu. Now you know a lot more about how to open router ports, but we’re not done yet. 

Configure port forwarding

Once you've found the right section, add a new forwarding rule:

• Service name: It is a good idea to give it a descriptive name to remember which application is associated with that port.
• external door: Enter the port number you want to open on the external network.
• Internal port: Here you enter the same port number that will be opened internally, unless the application uses a different port within the network.
• Local IP address: Specifies the IP address of the device that will use the open port.
• Dance: Choose between TCP, UDP, or both, depending on your application requirements.

When you're done, make sure to save or apply the changes you made. Some devices may need to be rebooted for the settings to take effect. By now you've learned quite a bit and, above all, you already know how to open router ports. All you need to do is check that everything is ok and finally take into account certain technical security aspects. Let's get to it. 

Checking port opening

After opening the port, it is advisable to check if the operation was successful. To do this, you can use online tools such as “Can You See Me” or “YouGetSignal”, which allow you to check if a specific port is accessible from the Internet. Simply enter the port number and follow the instructions.

Security considerations

Opening ports on a router can increase your network's vulnerability to external attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to take some precautions:

• Use firewalls: Make sure you have a firewall enabled and properly configured on both your router and network devices.
• Update the router firmware: Keeping your firmware up to date helps prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
• Close unnecessary ports: Only open the ports that you really need and close those that you no longer use.

We hope that this guide on how to open router ports has been helpful to you. This technical process can be carried out efficiently by following the steps we have indicated. It is important to keep in mind what doing this implies in terms of security. With a With good configuration and extra security measures, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of remote access to your applications. without compromising the security of your network. See you in the next article Tecnobits!