ZyXEL Communications HS100/HS100W manual Configuring Trigger Port Forwarding

HomeSafe User’s Guide

service (coming in from the server on the WAN) to the IP address of a computer on the client side (LAN). The problem is that port forwarding only forwards a service to a single LAN IP address. In order to use the same service on a different LAN computer, you have to manually replace the LAN computer's IP address in the forwarding port with another LAN computer's IP address,

Trigger port forwarding solves this problem by allowing computers on the LAN to dynamically take turns using the service. The HomeSafe records the IP address of a LAN computer that sends traffic to the WAN to request a service with a specific port number and protocol (a "trigger" port). When the HomeSafe's WAN port receives a response with a specific port number and protocol ("incoming" port), the HomeSafe forwards the traffic to the LAN IP address of the computer that sent the request. After that computer’s connection for that service closes, another computer on the LAN can use the service in the same manner. This way you do not need to configure a new IP address each time you want a different LAN computer to use the application.

9.6.1Trigger Port Forwarding Example

The following is an example of trigger port forwarding.

Figure 9-7 Trigger Port Forwarding Process: Example

1.Jane requests a file from the Real Audio server (port 7070).

2.Port 7070 is a “trigger” port and causes the HomeSafe to record Jane’s computer IP address. The HomeSafe associates Jane's computer IP address with the "incoming" port range of 6970- 7170.

3.The Real Audio server responds using a port number ranging between 6970-7170.

4.The HomeSafe forwards the traffic to Jane’s computer IP address.

5.Only Jane can connect to the Real Audio server until the connection is closed or times out. The HomeSafe times out in three minutes with UDP (User Datagram Protocol), or two hours with TCP/IP (Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

9.6.2 Two Points To Remember About Trigger Ports

1.Trigger events only happen on data that is going coming from inside the HomeSafe and going to the outside.

2.If an application needs a continuous data stream, that port (range) will be tied up so that another computer on the LAN can’t trigger it.

9.7Configuring Trigger Port Forwarding

To change your HomeSafe’s trigger port settings, click SUA/NAT and the Trigger Port tab. The screen appears as shown.

9-10 NAT Screens