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Virtual Servers
This feature, sometimes called Port Forwarding, allows you to make Servers on your LAN
accessible to Internet users. Normally, Internet users would not be able to access a server on
your LAN because:
• Your Server does not have a valid external IP Address.
• Attempts to connect to devices on your LAN are blocked by the firewall in this device.
The "Virtual Server" feature solves these problems and allows Internet users to connect to your
servers, as illustrated below.
Figure 42: Virtual Servers
IP Address seen by Internet Users
Note that, in this illustration, both Internet users are connecting to the same IP Address, but
using different protocols.
To Internet users, all virtual Servers on your LAN have the same IP Address.
This IP Address is allocated by your ISP.
This address should be static, rather than dynamic, to make it easier for Internet users to
connect to your Servers.
However, you can use the DDNS (Dynamic DNS) feature to allow users to connect to your
Virtual Servers using a URL, instead of an IP Address.
Virtual Servers Screen
• The "Virtual Servers" feature allows Internet Users to access PCs on your LAN.
• The PCs must be running the appropriate Server Software.
• For Internet Users, ALL of your Servers have the same IP address. This IP address is
allocated by your ISP.
• To make it easier for Internet users to connect to your Servers, you can use the "DDNS"
feature. This allows Internet users to connect to your Servers with a URL, rather than an
IP address. This technology works even if your ISP allocates dynamic IP addresses (IP
address is allocated upon connection, so it may change each time you connect).
Broadband ADSL Router User Guide
56
Figure 43: Virtual Servers Screen
Data - Virtual Servers Screen
Servers
Servers
This lists a number of common Server types. If the desired Server
type is not listed, you can create a Firewall Rule to achieve the
same effect as the Virtual Server function.
Properties
Enable
Use this to Enable or Disable support for this Server, as required.
If Enabled, you must select the PC to which this traffic will be sent.
PC (Server)
Select the PC for this Server. The PC must be running the appro-
priate Server software.
For each entry, the PC must be running the appropri-
ate Server software.
If the desired Server type is not listed, you can define
your own Servers, using the Firewall Rules.
Connecting to the Virtual Servers
Once configured, anyone on the Internet can connect to your Virtual Servers. They must use
the Internet IP Address (the IP Address allocated to you by your ISP).
e.g.
http://203.70.212.52
ftp://203.70.212.52
It is more convenient if you are using a Fixed IP Address from your ISP, rather than Dynamic.
However, you can use the Dynamic DNS feature to allow users to connect to your Virtual
Servers using a URL, rather than an IP Address.
From the Internet, ALL Virtual Servers have
the IP Address allocated by your ISP