SBX-AC1200P: Port Triggering Setup

Port Triggers 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 SBX-AC1200P 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 Triggers 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 SBX-AC1200P, please refer to Answer # 16651 - SBX-AC1200P: 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.

Creating a Port Triggering Entry

1.  Connect a Wi-Fi client device, such as a laptop, smart phone or tablet, to the SBX-AC1200P default wireless network. 
   
   NOTE: The default wireless name and password is located on the back panel of the SBX-AC1200P.  
    
2. 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.
3. On the Login page, enter admin in the Username field.
4. Enter password in the Password field.
5. Click the Login button.  The Home page will appear.
   
   
    
6. Move the mouse-cursor over Advanced on the main menu, and click the Port Triggers link from the drop-down submenu.  The Advanced - Port Triggers page appears.
   
   
    
7. On the Advanced - Port Triggers page, click the Create Port Triggers button.
   
   
   
   NOTE: Please refer to the device's user guide to determine the required ports and protocols.
    
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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. 
12. Protocol - Click on the drop-down menu and select the appropriate protocol (TCP, UDP, or both).
13. Description - Enter a desired name for this profile.
14. Enabled - Click on the drop-down menu and select On. 
    
    NOTE: In the example below, if any device connected to the SBX-AC1200P makes an outbound connection on port 2000, the SBX-AC1200P will automatically forward ports 2001 - 2005 to that same device.  After 10 minutes of inactivity, the SBX-AC1200P will stop forwarding ports to the device, and the ports will be closed.
     
15. Click the Apply button.
    
      
     
16. The Port Triggers page will now appear, and will display a Trigger entry.