How to Port Forward on Spectrum

February 20, 2022 By Nick Anderson No Comments 5 minutes

Spectrum is one of the leading names in networking devices. Here’s an easy tutorial for you if you are looking at how to port forward on Spectrum.

Spectrum Port Forwarding

Port forwarding can open certain capabilities that facilitate easy communication over the internet. It is especially useful in gaming, where clear voice communication is integral to the online gaming experience.

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What is Port Forwarding?

Ports are virtual gateways used to send and receive traffic on the internet. Operating systems have several ports that applications can specify and use to communicate with web servers on the internet. There are 65,535 virtual ports available for network communication. They facilitate communication over TCP (Transfer Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

Some applications have specified ports. For example, HTTP traffic uses port 80, and HTTPS traffic uses port 443.

For security reasons, the network firewall managing inbound and outbound traffic may restrict communication coming from an external network.

It can be problematic when an application on your device wants to receive communication from its web server via the internet.

Port forwarding allows a user to specify the ports in the router’s firewall to ensure that an application can receive data without hiccups.

Naturally, the firewall is a welcome security feature that prevents unsolicited traffic. But some legit applications can fail to tell the router to allow inbound communication.

How to Port Forward on Spectrum

Spectrum has a built-in NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall that allows/blocks network traffic like all routers. Applications on your device need to communicate with their servers on the internet to fulfill their functionality.

However, enabling ports in Spectrum router overcomes the challenge of a strict firewall.

Games are the biggest unfortunate victims of a strict firewall. VoIP (Voice Over IP) provides a way for gamers to communicate over the internet. But if the router is blocking ports accessed by the game, certain parts of the online gaming experience will be affected.

Consoles like PlayStation and Xbox define Type 2 and Open, respectively, as the two desirable firewall states for a smooth online gaming experience.

To port forward on Spectrum, you’ll need a static IP address for your device and the ports used by the application. Your router dynamically assigns an IP address to every device that connects to it. Static IP ensures that external networks can communicate with the correct device even if the router restarts.

Enable Port Forwarding in Spectrum Router

First, we need to set a static IP address for your device. Open your device’s settings and find the MAC address (LAN or wireless, according to your choice).

Open Spectrum’s admin panel using a web browser. Use the credentials on the back of the router or refer to the manual.
Head to the DHCP section.
Enter an IP address in the DHCP’s range and the MAC address of your device.
Save the settings.
Restart the device for the changes to take effect. Your device will now always get assigned that IP address when it connects to the router.

Now, we need to forward the ports. Search for the application’s ports online and note them down.

Go to the Firewall section in your router’s admin panel.
Click on Port Forwarding.
Start by adding a new rule in the port forwarding table.
Enter the device’s static IP address and the ports you want to open. Enter all the TCP and UDP ports in the relevant fields.
Save your settings after filling in all the relevant fields.

How to Install VPN on Router

Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way of using a remote VPN server to conceal your identity on the internet. Using a VPN, you can encrypt communication that your ISP cannot spy on.

Installing VPN on the router gives you the convenience of extending VPN protection on any device. You can download the FastestVPN app on your device or set up the VPN directly in the router. VPN on router forgoes the need for a dedicated app; just connect to the VPN-enabled router and browse securely and privately.

However, VPN is not friendly when it comes to port forwarding. Your router assigns IP addresses dynamically, whereas port forwarding requires a static IP address to work because inbound traffic needs to know the correct destination.

Similarly, if the VPN server assigns IP addresses dynamically, port forwarding will not work. FastestVPN currently does not offer static IP addresses and port forwarding functionality.

Should You Enable UPnP?

UPnP (Universal Plug And Plug) is a feature that allows most convenience when it comes to port forwarding but leaves you vulnerable to external attacks.

The feature allows devices connected to the router to open and close ports automatically. If an application wants to access a certain port, the firewall will grant it access. But it’s a double-edged sword.

Malware on your device could trigger a port open request to communicate with a botnet or receive instructions from the hacker. Manual port forwarding requires some time on your part but provides safety. It ensures that only legit applications that you have allowed can bypass the firewall.

Conclusion

Like Spectrum, you can enable port forwarding in just about every router. However, VPN installation is not something available in every router. We highly recommend not opening UPnP as it can expose you to risks.