SBG10: Port Triggering Setup

Port Triggering is a safer method for opening specific ports for special applications (e.g. video conferencing programs, interactive gaming, file transfer in chat programs, etc.) because they are dynamically triggered and not held open constantly or erroneously left open via the router administrator and exposed for potential hackers to discover.

When the SBG10 detects outgoing data on a specific port number set in it's Trigger Range, the ports set in it's Target Range are opened for incoming data. If no outgoing traffic is detected from the Trigger Range for 10 minutes, the ports listed in the Target Range will close.  Port Triggering is not enabled by default.  This document describes how to create a Port Triggering Entry.

NOTE 1: When setting up a host device like a web server, port forwarding should be used instead of port triggering.  This way, the ports will stay open for users to connect.  To setup port forwarding in the SBG10, please refer to Answer # 17698 - SBG10: Port Forwarding Setup.

NOTE 2: Only one device should make outbound connections on a specific port. If two or more devices attempt to make outbound connections on the same port at a given time, there will be a conflict, and port triggering will not work correctly.

1. Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  The Login page will appear.
   
   NOTE: A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager. There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to by-pass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.
    
2. On the Login page, enter admin in the User Name field.
    
3. Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.
   
   NOTE: When using the default password to login, it may be required to set a unique password to proceed to the Web Manager.  For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18249 – SBG10: Web Manager Access.
    
4. Click the Apply button.  The System Basic Setup page will appear.
   
   
    
5. On the System Basic Setup page, click the Firewall link on the top menu.  The Firewall Settings page will appear.
    
6. On the Firewall Settings page, click the Port Triggers link on the left-hand menu.  The Port Triggers Configuration page will appear.
    
7. On the Port Triggers Configuration page, click the Add button.  The Add Port Trigger pop-up window will appear.
   
   
    
8. On the Add Port Trigger pop-up window, enter a name of the service in the Description field.
    
9. Enter the outbound port number into both the Outbound Port fields.  If a range of ports are to be used, enter the first number of the range in the first field and the last number of the range into the second field.
    
10. Click the Format drop-down menu and select the appropriate protocol (TCP, UDP, or both).
     
11. Enter the inbound port number into both the Inbound Port fields.  If a range of ports are to be used, enter the first number of the range in the first field and the last number of the range into the second field. 
    
    NOTE: In the example below, if any device connected to the SBG10 makes an outbound connection on port 2000, the SBG10 will automatically forward ports 2001 - 2005 to that same device.  After 10 minutes of inactivity, the SBG10 will stop forwarding ports to the device, and the ports will be closed.
     
12. Click the Add Port Trigger button.  The Port Triggers Configuration page will appear. 
    
    
     
13. On the Port Triggers Configuration page, the port trigger entry will appear as shown.  Repeat steps 8 - 13 to create additional port triggers.
    
    NOTE: To delete an port trigger entry, check-mark the box of the entry and click the Delete button.