Modem, router question

~~BuffaloChips~~ · 10-31-2006, 10:13 PM

I had a bit of a discussion recently with someone that said there are "ports" in modems and routers. This person said they installed a multiplayer game that tried to get on the internet and said that they needed to open a certain "port".

Well, according to the "script bitches" at the tech support line for the DSL told this person that there was a "port" on the modem that needed to be turned on.
Now, everything I have read so far says that isn't true. My information tells me that it is more of a "firewall" type of block on the port the game was trying to use. I have a Linksys Vonage router that needs to be told what ports will be used for some things.

As far as I know the ports actually are from the computer and just need to be "allowed" permission to pass communication through the modem or router. I even read the relevant parts of the manual to the Linksys router. It confirms what I said.

This particular person presented no facts to support her claims other than to say she unplugged her network connection and did some kind of scan for open "ports" and got a return of 0 open "ports" on the computer. So, according to that there are NO "ports" on the computer, they are on the modem. My response is if the "ports" can't communicate with other computers and devices, of course you will get a return of 0. Am I correct? I can't see how you would get a "port" showing if it doesn't communicate. This was some program this person was scanning with, not something in windows.

Someone with links to proof to the contrary please show me the facts if I am truly wrong. It is just the description of the issue this person gave that makes me believe they are wrong and now that I look back at some of it they were actually having a problem with their PS2 connecting. They said that since the computer didn't need to be set that it was a "port" on the modem. But, at the same time they said they connected it to their computer and NOT the modem.

This whole thing is strange I know. But if I am wrong in my assessment I would like to know. I just think it is more along the lines of telling your modem or router that a particular program will be communicating on certain "ports" so the router knows what to do with the information that reaches it. ie. where to send it or to block it.

**JamesO** · 11-01-2006, 04:36 AM

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PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall

JamesO

~~BuffaloChips~~ · 11-01-2006, 07:15 PM

Ok, so what I gather here is that I am right.

10-31-2006, 10:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~BuffaloChips~~ Register user Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South East Posts: 82 OS: XP Pro sp.2	Modem, router question I had a bit of a discussion recently with someone that said there are "ports" in modems and routers. This person said they installed a multiplayer game that tried to get on the internet and said that they needed to open a certain "port". Well, according to the "script bitches" at the tech support line for the DSL told this person that there was a "port" on the modem that needed to be turned on. Now, everything I have read so far says that isn't true. My information tells me that it is more of a "firewall" type of block on the port the game was trying to use. I have a Linksys Vonage router that needs to be told what ports will be used for some things. As far as I know the ports actually are from the computer and just need to be "allowed" permission to pass communication through the modem or router. I even read the relevant parts of the manual to the Linksys router. It confirms what I said. This particular person presented no facts to support her claims other than to say she unplugged her network connection and did some kind of scan for open "ports" and got a return of 0 open "ports" on the computer. So, according to that there are NO "ports" on the computer, they are on the modem. My response is if the "ports" can't communicate with other computers and devices, of course you will get a return of 0. Am I correct? I can't see how you would get a "port" showing if it doesn't communicate. This was some program this person was scanning with, not something in windows. Someone with links to proof to the contrary please show me the facts if I am truly wrong. It is just the description of the issue this person gave that makes me believe they are wrong and now that I look back at some of it they were actually having a problem with their PS2 connecting. They said that since the computer didn't need to be set that it was a "port" on the modem. But, at the same time they said they connected it to their computer and NOT the modem. This whole thing is strange I know. But if I am wrong in my assessment I would like to know. I just think it is more along the lines of telling your modem or router that a particular program will be communicating on certain "ports" so the router knows what to do with the information that reaches it. ie. where to send it or to block it.

11-01-2006, 04:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	GRC\|Shields UP! -- Internet Connection Security Analysis** PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall JamesO

11-01-2006, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~BuffaloChips~~ Register user Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South East Posts: 82 OS: XP Pro sp.2	Ok, so what I gather here is that I am right.