Port forward for VNC Help
Barbara92
Enthusiast - Level 3

     Hi...I have the Westell 9100 using coax for my internet service.  I want to be able to connect to my computer via VNC from my Android phone over 3g. 

     I am able to connect over wifi just fine.  However, even with Windows Firewall disabled, I still cannot connect, and can not seem to figure out how to port forward with this router.  I've never actually had to port forward on any other router before, but I read about it and it seemed straight forward enough.  Portforward.com does, by the way, still confirm that port 5900, which I thought was the correct port to use for VNC, as that is what the app on my phone and Tight VNC suggest, is still blocked. (This also rules out trying port 5800)

     Could somebody familiar with the settings of this router talk me through it?  Thanks.

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Correct answers
Re: Port forward for VNC Help
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

If the port shows as open it must be an issue with the ip address you have set to access.  As the previous poster states, this must be the external ip address on the router

Logon to router as admin and the external ip address is in the left hand pane.

I would assume that you are using that address as you tested the port at that ip address to prove it open, however is that the ip address that is in the settings on your phone?

You can check on the router if you request is getting thru by

selecting system monitoring

then advanced status

then system log

You should see your vnc request appear in that log.

I'm not totally clear on which ports vnc uses.  It appears to say 5900 + some number.  Possibly you need to to increase the top end of the range to a value greater than 5901

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Re: Port forward for VNC Help
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

logon to router as admin

select firewall settings

select port forwarding

select new entry

enter local host ip address - 192.168.1.x where this is the ip address of the vnc server

under protocols select user defined

give it a service name such as vnc

select new server ports

select protocol tcp

enter range for destination port - leave the other fields alone

enter 5900 - 5901

select ok

select ok

try it

Personally find rdp is a better solution than vnc and more user friendly.  There are numerous apps for that as there are for the iphone/itouch.

Re: Port forward for VNC Help
Barbara92
Enthusiast - Level 3

    Hi again, viafax!  Thank you for your instructions, they were exceptionally clear and detailed.  Unfortunately though, I still can not seem to make a connection. 

     However, I did rerun port checker once more, and it now confirms that the ports are open, which I haven't been able to do at all, so kudos on that.  Now that the ports are opened though, but I still cannot connect, what would be the next step in trying to troubleshoot this issue?  Thanks for the continued help help.

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Re: Port forward for VNC Help
pamcphilly
Enthusiast - Level 3

If you are using the 3g network only on your phone make sure you are using your external IP address and not your internal 192.168.x.x ip address.

Re: Port forward for VNC Help
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

If the port shows as open it must be an issue with the ip address you have set to access.  As the previous poster states, this must be the external ip address on the router

Logon to router as admin and the external ip address is in the left hand pane.

I would assume that you are using that address as you tested the port at that ip address to prove it open, however is that the ip address that is in the settings on your phone?

You can check on the router if you request is getting thru by

selecting system monitoring

then advanced status

then system log

You should see your vnc request appear in that log.

I'm not totally clear on which ports vnc uses.  It appears to say 5900 + some number.  Possibly you need to to increase the top end of the range to a value greater than 5901

Re: Port forward for VNC Help
RobFromLutz
Newbie

I tried and read everything I could about this issue.  I have the 9100EM router and nothing worked to open the ports .  This was working find yesterday with Brighthouse and my Trendnet Router so I never thought re-check my Windows firewall settings.  Low and behold 5900 was not open.  I think the Install tech installed something that reset my Windows firewall settings.  I added Port 5900 back for VNC and Violla!  Works like a charm.

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Re: Port forward for VNC Help
Barbara92
Enthusiast - Level 3

Thank you viafax and pamcphilly!  Using the external IP worked.  I was attempting to connect to the IP of this PC rather than the router's external IP.

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