Setting Up A Server Through A Linksys Router

Transcription

1 A lot of people have had issues with setting up a Static IP, so I decided to throw this simple little tutorial together. First, let me explain a little about IP addresses, and the differences. The majority of IP addresses are Dynamic. This means that they can change without notice. The reason this happens is because of something called DHCP. DHCP is used to assign IP Addresses, and DNS information to the PCs on a network. The main reason for this is because of the limited number of IP addresses available for all the computers on a specific IPV4(Internet Protocol Version 4) network. Using a Dynamic IP Scheme allows for more PCs to have access to a network than there are actual IP Addresses available (in theory anyways). This also makes it easier to avoid conflicts between 2 machines having the same IP. The way DHCP works is this: 1) A PC boots up and needs an IP address to access the network, so it sends out a request for an IP address. 2) The DHCP Server (router in my case) sees this request, and sends back a message to the PC stating that it has an IP Address available. 3) The PC stops sending requests for an IP, and sends back an Acknowledgment to the DHCP server for the IP address. 4) The DHCP Server sends the PC the IP address, and it logs that IP for the computer so it knows it is in use. Now a Dynamic IP Address has an expiration time, but if the PC is on the network about halfway or more through the time it will request an extension on the lease of that IP. If time expires before the PC requests an extension then the IP address is made available again to lease to other computers if needed. This is why your IP address can change from time to time. Now a Static IP is just that...static...it doesn't change. This is needed for Servers, Networked Printers, etc... Now for a quick explanation about Internal, and External IP Addresses. Your External IP address is the one that your ISP Assigns to you. This will be the IP that people need to contact you over the Internet. Your Internal IP will be one that you use on your LAN (Local Area Network). An Internal IP will begin with either x.x, or 10.x.x.x. The majority of people will use x.x as this is the default for most Personal routers. Your Internal IP is valid on your LAN only...it has no validity on the Internet at all.

2 Where to change your DHCP Settings on a Linksys Router: The area in the Red Box is the important part. The Local IP Address should be left as Default. Subnet Mask should be left Make sure that the Enabled radio button is on in the DHCP Server. For the Starting IP Address you should set it between 100 and 200. If you set it at 200 like I have here then you can use the IP range of through for Static IP Addresses. This is WAY more than you will ever need, but it won't hurt anything.

3 Now that the Router is setup we move onto your computer to set it as a Static IP address. Go into your Control Panel, and then to Network Connections. Once in there Right Click on your LAN Connection, and choose Properties: Once in the Properties Click on TCP/IP, and then Click on the Properties Button:

4 Once in the Properties Click on Use the following IP Address, Enter in the IP you'd like to use as your Static IP, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway should be the same as below (Default Gateway maybe different if you have a different brand of Router...check your documentation). The DNS Servers you must obtain from your ISP (Internet Service Provider)...a simple phone call to Tech Support will get you this information. You can just goto a command prompt (Start->Run type in cmd and hit enter), and type ipconfig /all to obtain this, but getting them directly from your ISP ensure you are using the correct ones. Once this is all setup your computer is set for a Static IP, and then you can setup your Router for Port Forwarding.

5 Port Forwarding is used to tell your router that certain port numbers need to be sent to a specific IP on your network. To setup Port Forwarding on a Linksys Router you need to click on Applications & Gaming (other routers may say Port Forwarding, or something different...check your router's documentation). You should see a screen like this: The first section is the Name of the Application. This can be anything you want, but it is best to use something descriptive. The next 2 sections are for the Port Range to use. If you only need 1 port then use it in both area. Next we have a drop down box with 3 choices TCP, UDP, and Both. It is best to only use the Protocol that you need, but if your unsure then just leave it open to both. The next area is where you put in the IP Address you want to forward anything coming in through these specific ports to. You MUST setup a Static IP on the target machine or Port Forwarding may end up routing the information to the wrong computer if you are using Dynamic Ips, and the IP Address for your intended target changes. Last but not least is the Enable check box to turn on the forwarding for that port. If for some reason you ever want to stop the Port Forwarding service for these ports then just uncheck this box. Now all that is needed is to Click Save Settings, and you should be all set up!

6 Written By: Lonnie Shaw a.k.a. -Onyx-