connecting via external IP adress

[Sub_Zero_6]

hi every1..

i'm working on a little chat programme, it works fine on the same LAN and on Dial-Up connection, but it doesn't work if i try to connect 2 diffrent LANs using the external IP address, i made a little search and heared of PORT FORWARDING, how does it work? and can i do it using VB code??
any solution plz this is very important..

ty...

[DigiRev]

You need to find your router's IP address and type it into your browser. That's how you get into the settings. The router's IP address is usually http://192.168.1.1

Default user/pass is either: admin/admin, admin/administrator, etc.

Once you're in there, you need to find the port forwarding settings. Enter the comptuer's LAN IP address (the computer that will be running the server/accepting connections), enter the port number, check the "Enable" box, and save the settings.

To find the computer's LAN IP you can just do: MsgBox Winsock1.LocalIP or open up a command prompt and type: ipconfig

[DigiRev]

Oh, and changing a router's settings programatically is called uPnP (I think that's the name).

I wouldn't recommend going that route. A lot of routers don't work the same and there are a lot that don't even support uPnP.

[Sub_Zero_6]

i enabled it but still doesn't work, i went to http://192.168.1.1 >> Advanced >> Port Forwarding, i choose 'User' then added port under 'Available Rules', i choose TCP,UDP as protocol and typed the port in port start, end, map, but still doesn't work (i am sure of my external ip address)..

[DigiRev]

i enabled it but still doesn't work, i went to http://192.168.1.1 >> Advanced >> Port Forwarding, i choose 'User' then added port under 'Available Rules', i choose TCP,UDP as protocol and typed the port in port start, end, map, but still doesn't work (i am sure of my external ip address)..

Can you post a screen shot of your current port forwarding settings and maybe one showing the settings you entered when you added it?

When entering the IP, you should be entering the local (network/LAN) IP address for the server computer, not the external one.

[Al42]

i enabled it but still doesn't work, i went to http://192.168.1.1 >> Advanced >> Port Forwarding, i choose 'User' then added port under 'Available Rules', i choose TCP,UDP as protocol and typed the port in port start, end, map, but still doesn't work (i am sure of my external ip address)..

You put your INTERNAL address in the port forwarding information.

Go to PortForward if you need more help in forwarding ports.