SBG6580 (v8.5.x): Port Triggering Setup

When setting up a device for remote access, there may be situations in which Port Triggering needs to be set up in the SBG6580 instead of Port Forwarding. Port Forwarding allows the configured ports to always stay open. With Port Triggering, the ports are opened temporarily, and are only opened when triggered by specific behavior.

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 SBG6580 detects outgoing data on a specific port number set in it's Trigger Range, the resulting 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 SBG6580, please refer to Answer # 8889 - SBG6580: Port Forwarding.

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.

Creating a Port Triggering Entry

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 appears.
   
   NOTE: By default the LAN IP address is 192.168.0.1.  If the default address has been changed, enter the custom address in the address box.
    
2. On the Login page:
   a.   Enter admin in the Username field.
   b.   Enter motorola in the Password field.
   c.   Click the Login button.  The Home page appears.
   
   NOTE: On firmware version 8.9.0.4 and later, the default admin password is required to be changed.  The Change User Password prompt will immediately appear after logging into the Web manager with the default admin password.  For assistance with the Change User Password screen, please refer to article # 18055 - SBG6580 (v.8.9.x): Prompt to Change Default Admin Login.
    
   
    
3. Move the mouse-cursor over the Advanced tab and select the Port Triggers sub-link.  The Advanced - Port Triggers page appears.
   
   
    
4. On the Advanced - Port Triggers page, click the Create Port Triggers button.
   a.   Trigger Start Port
          If one port is to be used, enter the port number.
          If a range of ports are to be used, enter the first number of the range.
   b.   Trigger End Port
          If one port is to be used, enter the port number.
          If a range of ports are to be used, enter the last number of the range.
   c.   Target Start Port
          If one port is to be used, enter the port number.
          If a range of ports are to be used, enter the first number of the range.
   d.   Target Start Port
          If one port is to be used, enter the port number.
          If a range of ports are to be used, enter the last number of the range. 
   e.   Protocol - Click on the drop-down menu and select the appropriate protocol (TCP, UDP, or both).
   f.   Description - Enter a desired name for this profile.
   g.   Enabled - Click on the drop-down menu and select On. 
   
   NOTE: In the example below, if any device connected to the SBG6580 makes an outbound connection on port 2000, the SBG6580 will automatically forward ports 2001 - 2005 to that same device. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the SBG6580 will stop forwarding ports to the device, and the ports will be closed.
   
   h.   Click the Apply button.
   
     
    
5. The Port Triggers page will now appear, and will display a Trigger entry.