Port Forwarding 101: Faster gaming, better hosting, and easy remote access

Port forwarding explained 🤓
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Port forwarding is essential if you want to remotely access your home devices and services, host game servers – like Minecraft – or improve your gaming experience by reducing lag. Setting up port forwarding on a router might initially seem challenging, but it’s simpler than you think. Check out this video to see why port forwarding is so helpful and how to set it up quickly. Follow these easy steps to ensure smoother connections and gain greater control over your network.

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Contents:

00:00 Intro
00:14 Port forwarding
00:41 Router
01:50 Set up

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Sometimes, seemingly complex things can often be explained simply – let’s take port forwarding, for example. It allows you to remotely access your home devices and services, host game servers – like Minecraft – or improve your gaming experience by reducing lag.


Let's dive deeper into the basics!
So, what is port forwarding? It’s like giving a direct, private route from the internet to a specific device or service on your home network. Ports act as “virtual channels” or “entry points” on your network, directing traffic to the correct device — like a home camera or game server — ensuring the right information reaches the right place.
Your router plays a significant role in this process. Think of it as a receptionist directing calls to the right department — the port. The router has a public IP through which the internet reaches your home. Do you know what else has IP addresses? Your home devices. So when a request comes in, the port number is included in its header, telling the router which home device, with its private IP, should handle the request. Based on that port number, the router forwards the traffic to the right device.
For example, when someone tries to join your online game, the request reaches your router through a public IP address along with a port number that directs traffic to your computer’s private IP so you can play together. Choosing the right port number ensures the data goes to the correct application.
Port forwarding allows remote access to devices like security cameras and printers, as well as web hosting services like Nextcloud or game servers like Minecraft. Plus, it can also help to reduce lag in gaming, providing a smoother connection!

Buckle up, here's a step by step guide on how to set up port forwarding step by step.

Find your IP address – it’s typically on a sticker on the back of your router or can be accessed through the device settings.
Log in to your router’s admin panel. Open your browser, type the IP address into the address bar, and enter your login credentials.
Locate the port forwarding section. It will typically be labeled “Forwarding,” “Port forwarding,” “Firewall,” or something similar. Find the menu item and click on it.
Enter the required details. Specify the external port, internal port, and the local IP of the device you want to connect.
Save and reboot if needed. Apply the changes, and restart your router when you're asked to.
Keep in mind that settings can vary depending on your router model. If you are having trouble following instructions, access your router’s interface or search online for a setup specific to your model.

Also, it’s important to note that while NordVPN doesn't support traditional port forwarding, it does offer Meshnet – a secure solution for remote access. If accessing your devices remotely is your primary goal, Meshnet allows you to do so without needing port forwarding.

You may have already understood that port forwarding is beneficial for your gaming experience, remote device access, and server hosting. Taking time to set it up correctly is crucial because it ensures smoother connections and greater control over your network.
Always make sure to configure port forwarding securely and test your settings to ensure everything runs properly.

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