 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 996 
| This is a detailed walkthrough and explanation of Port Forwarding your Xbox 360.
The actual process takes just a couple minutes if you've done it before, so do not be intimidated by the amount of information and steps I have included. You don't have to have an understanding of networks to do this.
-Simplified 1 (or 2) Step Process-
1) DMZ your router through your modem (if your 360 is connected to a router and not a modem).
2) DMZ your 360 through your router/modem (whichever it is actually plugged into, not both).
It really is that simple, and takes < 2 minutes, but you must know how to DMZ/Port Forward (if your modem/router doesn't support DMZ). That is what this guide is for 
I have attempted to identify and address all the scenarios possible with this process, and to include every piece of information that is needed and helpful to get the job done. -What is Port Forwarding?-All communication (data traffic) that occurs between your 360, Xbox Live servers, and other Live users travels through specific ports. These ports are managed and monitored by your modem and/or router. Both the modem and router generally use NAT and a built in Firewall. When using a computer, these 2 things are usually a good thing, for they prevent a large amount of illegimitmate traffic from accessing your computer. On a 360, however, they just interfere with legitmate network traffic. Port forwarding is the term used for "opening" these ports, allowing unrestricted traffic through specific ports only to a specific destination, which in this case is your 360.
-What is DMZ Hosting?-DMZ Hosting is a feature included in most routers and modems. It allows you to give unrestricted data flow to a specified IP Address, thus opening all ports to that network device. DMZ Hosting a computer is NOT recommended even with personal firewalls and Anti-Virus programs installed because it creates a severe security risk, so please don't do it.
-What is DHCP?-
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP assigns ALL network devices on your LAN an IP Address. This address is DIFFERENT than the IP Address of your actual LAN (the # your ISP assigned to you; I.E. what identifies your location when online). The reason EVERY network device needs it's OWN unique IP Address is so data can be routed to the right device. You wouln't want the H3F home page data being sent to your 360 would you? Your modem/router makes sure this doesn't happen by assigning unique IP Addresses to every device, so data traffic can flow to the correct places.
If you have a router connected to a modem, the modem treats it just like any other device. The router is assigned an IP Address using the DHCP protocol. To successfuly Port Forward, this IP Address MUST be DMZ Hosted/Port Forwarded in your MODEM. When trying to locate this #, keep in mind it will follow the same pattern as anything connected DIRECTLY to the modem. It often helps to connect a PC/Laptop to the modem, using IPconfig/all and note the new IP Address of the computer. All but the last digit will be the same IP Address that your router was also assigned. Identifying your router's external (DHCP-Assigned) IP Address is key.
-What is the difference between a Modem and Router?-
Everyone with a high-speed internet connection has a Modem. Usually your ISP supplies it to you for a fee. This is the box that is wired directly to the wall, and usually is installed next to your home's main PC. But, most Modems have very limited ethernet ports, and thus people often buy Routers to expand their network. Routers have basically the same job as modems. Both generally have a NAT and Firewall, and will often deny data traffic they believe is not legitimate. This is what causes you to not hear some people over XBL, or not be able to connect to some people at all. If your 360 is connected to a ROUTER, you have TWO sets of NAT you must break down.
-Terms to Understand-Internal IP Address - Modems and Routers have an Internal IP Address. This address is static, and was originally set by the manufacturer. The Internal IP Address is the number we use to access that device's Firmware Interface Via a Web Browser. The Internal IP Address is the template for any IP Addresses it must assign using DHCP to devices connected to it.
For example, if your router has an Internal IP of 192.168.1.1, and you plug a computer into it, it should be assigned an IP Address of 192.168.1.X(XX). The 4th number bank designates that particular device. It will be 1, 2, or 3 digits long. Let's assume the computer is assigned an IP of 192.168.1.100. If you then plug in your 360, it should be assigned an IP Address of 192.168.1.101, and so on for how ever many devices you plug into it.
Because of the DHCP process and it's relation to the Internal IP, we describe the Internal IP Address as being what connects the router to the LAN (Local Area Network), since it's only job is related to your local network devices.
External IP Address - If connected, Modems and Routers have External IP Addresses. As opposed to the Internal IPs, these addresses are used to connect the Modem/Router to the WAN (Wide Area Network). External IPs are assigned by the device before it. Thus, the External IP of a router connected to a modem would follow the same pattern as the Internal IP of the modem itself. As for the modem, it's External IP is assigned by the ISP, which is the number that identifies your entire network. The external IP of your router must be DMZ/Port Forwarded inside your modem, then the Internal IP of your 360 (found in the Dashboard) must be DMZ/Port Forwarded within your router. Following is a simple representation of Internal and External IPs for a Modem/Router/360 configuration. As you can see, External IPs are concerned with the back end of the network, while Internal IPs affect forward network progression.
-Reasons for port forwarding- - Ability to connect to anyone, even if their ports are closed.
- Ability to HEAR everyone during the game! Yay!
- Decreased time searching for matchmaking games.
- Significantly increased chance of getting host.
- Overall better experience on Xbox Live.
Data traffic over Xbox Live utilizes the following ports:
- TCP 80
- UDP 88
- UDP 3074
- TCP 3074
- UDP 53
- TCP 53
-How to Port Forward- 1: Determining your Configuration
Determine your network configuration. The 2 most common configurations are as follows:
1) Wall -> Modem -> Router -> Xbox 360
2) Wall -> Modem -> Xbox 360
If you have configuration #1, proceed to step 2. If you have configuration #2, proceed to step 5.
2. Displaying LAN Information
If you are using a router, you are most likely behind 2 sets of NAT and Firewalls. Port forwarding your router only addresses 1 set. You must forward any traffic that is destined for your router through your modem. On a computer that is connected to the router, go to Start -> Run -> Type "cmd" and press enter -> Type "IPconfig/All" and press enter. This displays all your LAN information. It should look something like this:
3. Accessing Router Via Web Browser & External IP Address
The Default Gateway should be the Internal IP Address your router was programmed with by the manufacturer. This is how you enter your router's firmware interface. Enter this number into a Web Browser. Often it will be 192.168.1.1. You may then be prompted for a username and password, which unless the defaults have been changed, were set by the manufacturer of the router. They are usually "admin" and "admin" or "user" and "user", or "admin" or "user" with NO password at all. Consult this router list or google your router to locate its default username, password and interal IP Address. Once inside your router, locate its external IP Address that your modem assigned it with DHCP.
- This is where people have the biggest problem. Sometimes it is very difficult to find what IP Address your modem assigned to your router. I have included some helpful information in this process near the bottom of this guide. Good luck!
Write this down. It will follow the pattern of the Internal IP of the Modem. If your Modem has an Internal IP of 192.168.0.1, the External IP of the Router should be 192.168.0.X(XX). All firmware is different, thus it will be located in different places for every router. Consult the bottom of this guide if you can't find it. The following is where the External IP Address is found for the Linksys WRT54G Router:
4. Accessing Modem Via Web Browser and DMZing Router IP Address
Now you must DMZ Host your router through your modem. Your modem's Internal IP Address must now be entered into a web browser, the same way you accessed your router. Under the IPconfig/All information, your modem may be your first DNS server. If not, you can use the router list or do a google search to find out what it is. Cable modems are often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.100.1. Once inside your modem, locate the DMZ Hosting option, and enter the external IP Address of your router that we located in step 3. Save this setting; your modem may now restart. Now all data destined for your router will be unaffected by your modem's NAT and Firewall. The following is the DMZ option in my Actiontec Modem:
5. Locating IP Address of 360
We must now either DMZ Host your 360's IP Address or port forward all necessary ports manually through your modem/router (depending on whether you have a modem or not, this step and those that follow assume you do not have a router, or that you have DMZ Hosted your router through your modem already). We first must know the IP Address assigned to your Xbox 360. On the 360 Dashboard, go to System Settings -> Network Settings -> Configure Network. Write down the current IP Address. Note: With DHCP, the IP Address of your 360 may change if you do not use your 360 often. To prevent this, copy all the current entries for IP Settings and DNS Servers into the Manual Configuration option on your 360. The following is the Network Configuration page of the 360 where the IP Address is displayed:
6. Accessing Modem/Router Via Web Browser
Enter the Internal IP Address of your modem/router (the one the 360 is connected to! Not both, or the other!) into a Web Browser to access its firmware interface. To locate this, go to any computer that is connected to the modem/router and go to Start -> Run -> Type "cmd" and press enter -> Type "IPconfig/All" and press enter. This displays all your LAN information. The Default Gateway should be the IP Address we need. If not, you can use the router list or do a google search to find out what it is. Cable modems are often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.100.1, while routers are usually 192.168.1.1.
7. DMZing/Port Forwarding 360 IP Address through Modem/Router
Once inside the modem/router, simply locate the DMZ Hosting option and enter the IP Address of your Xbox 360. If there is no DMZ option, you must manually port forward each necessary port (listed near the top of this post). Locate the port forwarding options in your modem/router. All firmware interfaces are different, so I can not tell you where it will be located. But, if you refer to this database, you will see step-by-step instructions on locating the portforwarding section of your modem/router. Once there, make entries for each port with the IP Address of the 360 as the destination. Save these settings. The following is a DMZ entry within the Linksys WRT54G Router:
8. Confirming Successful Port Forward of 360
Under Network Settings in the 360 Dashboard, test your network and confirm your NAT is Open. Note: An Open confirmation by the 360 test does not always mean your ports are forwarded properly. But if it doesn't say open, they definitely are not. Hopefully your results look like this:
-Thing that complicate this process- - You can't find the Internal IP Address for your modem/router and can't access the firmware interface through a web browser.
- Solution!: Google your modem/router model #, locate it's user manual (pdf form usually found on manufacturer's/ISP's website) and find it's default settings.
- You don't know the username/password to your modem/router.
- Solution!: Google your modem/router model #, locate it's user manual (pdf form usually found on manufacturer's/ISP's website) and find it's default settings.
- You have a router setup, but can't find the external IP Address that your modem gave it (which is the # that needs to be DMZed in your modem!)
- Solution!: Look harder (through your router's firmware). There are MANY routers, all different, so look harder. Remember this # is NOT the # you used to ACCESS the router, this # is assigned by the modem, and will follow the same pattern any other devices connected DIRECTLY to your modem have.
- To help you spot it, connect a computer to the modem directly, and ipconfig/all the IP Address that has been assigned to the computer. All but the LAST digit is the # that was ALSO assigned to your router! Yay! That should help you spot it, right?
- You could also try viewing the DHCP-Clients table in your modem, but it doesn't always seem to list it there : /
- There are no/few clickable links in your MODEM, and none that lead to anything about DMZ/Port forwarding.
- Solution!: Congratz, your ISP (most likely a cable company, right?) has supplied you with a 'barebones' modem/gateway that does NOTHING besides pass on the data it receives. What does that mean? Your modem has NO NAT/Firewall! Yay! You don't have to do anything to it. If your 360 is connected to it, yay!, you're done. If the 360 is connected to a router that is connected to the modem, just DMZ your 360's IP address through your router and you're done. Yay!
I would appreciate any and all feedback, particularly if you believe I have left out any important information or if you believe any of the information I have listed is incorrect.
For help, you can:
Aim: ThuggleS is SiK
Email: ThuggleS_H3F@Yahoo.com
Last edited by ThuggleS; 03-26-2009 at 02:32 PM..
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Halo 3 Forum > Xbox 360 Forum > Xbox Console 
How to Port Forward Xbox 360
01-30-2009
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