Port forwarding is one extensive technique by which redirection of one network address from a port occurs via the network address translation. The new address is requested and later the port forwarding number has combined another port whilst the network packets are traversing a network router or firewall. This is what the Port Forwarding phenomenon is.
Unfortunately, you are unable to do what you want to do with your port forwarding feature which is why you look for its alternatives. In this article, we have enlisted some of the port forwarding alternatives alongside their need and problems with fetching them.
Why You Need Port Forwarding Alternative?
Having multiple devices connected on your LAN sometimes makes it hard for you to port forward efficiently. For example, you want to stream or play Xbox using this technique while someone else wants to do the same. Don’t worry, just use the alternatives mentioned in this article if this happened.
How To Set Up Port Forwarding:
Setting up the option for port forwarding requires the following steps to be performed. Refer to these:
- Sign in to your router wireless settings as admin.
- Now start locating the option for port forwarding.
- Type the port number or port range you are willing to put forward and go forward with.
- Press Enter.
- Select a suitable protocol, either TCP or UDP. It is up to you.
- Now type the static IP address that you have already chosen.
- Finally, enable the port forwarding rule by tapping on an Enable or option.
Your port forwarding would be enabled, however, it will be lucky for you if you get forwarded. Because several issues sometimes do not let you enable the feature.
Here they are:
- Multiple nodes, same ports.
- ISP firewalls block port forwarding.
- Locked router’s port forwarding option.
However, you can still port forward in your network by referring to the following alternatives.
List Of Alternatives For Port Forwarding:
While it is too normal to face issues with using the Port Forwarding technique, there are some better alternatives you can use in place of port forwarding to avoid obvious issues. Here they are:
- UPnP
UPnP (universal plug and play) allows most of the network gadgets to find other devices on the existing network and notify the router. It is one of the extensively used alternatives. UPnP option can be used in Azureus.
- Bridge Mode:
By setting your modem or router to bridge mode, you can locate and scan various ports. This effectively runs your wireless router as a regular modem.
- AirVPN—A VPN Port Forwarding Alternative:
VPN is one safe alternative for port forwarding. We recommend you to use AirVPN’s client or the OpenVPN Client. All you would have to do is sign in to the AirVPN’s website and fill in the information about which network ports you are willing to forward to your computer. Later, you will receive a new external IP address that you have to use to use VPN as a port forwarding alternative.