Port forwarding not applying on new hub

[HexhamAllstar]

Hi all,

Recently received new Vodafone hub, really solid connection at 45mbps. I'm trying to open a specific range of ports for external connection (running a dedicated game server for my friends), correct settings are applied but online tools say ports are still closed.

73 is a static IP assigned to the device in question. I then use my external IP shown on the hub menu (starting with 84.70) on an online port checker tool.

Live chat agent said settings could take 24 hours to apply, even though I changed the settings on Monday so it's been more than 24 hours. On my previous plusnet router, port forwarding settings were applied pretty much instantly.

Any help/suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Jayach]

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@HexhamAllstar wrote:

Live chat agent said settings could take 24 hours to apply, even though I changed the settings on Monday so it's been more than 24 hours. On my previous plusnet router, port forwarding settings were applied pretty much instantly.

I don't know why they tell these lies. If the router is set to forward the ports why would there be a delay?

What are you using to check? I like to use ShieldsUP!

GRC | ShieldsUP! — Internet Vulnerability Profiling

[HexhamAllstar]

Thanks for the quick response, here's the result from GRC. This is interesting as I used https://portchecker.co/ previously and it states fully closed

GRC Port Authority Report created on UTC: 2021-03-11 at 08:51:36

Results from probe of port: 2456

    0 Ports Open
    0 Ports Closed
    1 Ports Stealth
---------------------
    1 Ports Tested

THE PORT tested was found to be: STEALTH.

TruStealth: FAILED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,
                   - NO unsolicited packets were received,
                   - A PING REPLY (ICMP Echo) WAS RECEIVED.

[Jayach]

I think the difference between the two tesst is that GRC are checking for more than just open or closed ports. A closed port is one that admits it's presence but isn't open, a stealth port is one that doesn't reply.

They are testing from the point of protection against "drive-by" hackers, obviously if you are running a server you can never be completely hidden.

So it definitely proves that your port isn't open. You say you have a new router,  Was it working O.K. on the previous router?

Unfortunately I'm no longer using my THG3000 so can't test if it works for me.

[HexhamAllstar]

Yep on my plusnet router I was able to forward the exact same ports and host a game server that friends on other networks could access. Now nobody can access the server, even though on my machine I'm still hosting it.

Does anybody here know the latest firmware version for THG3000? I'm on 19.2.0307-3261019 and if I click 'Check for updates' the process fails. I guess failing could mean I'm up to date but I'd expect it to give a response like 'You have the latest version' if that was the case.

[Jayach]

That is the latest known firmware for the THG3000. Unfortunately Vodafone don't give out such information (or any information as far as I can discover)

[Jayach]

I've never hosted a game server, but do you not need to forward TCP as well as UDP?

Also is your PlusNet router locked to PlusNet or can you enter a username and password in it?

If so it's easy to get your DSL credentials from Vodafone and you could try that.

[HexhamAllstar]

I've tried both UDP only (which was how it was set up previously) and TCP/UDP.

It looks like I may be able to try the plusnet router, it's a shame because I'm getting a much better connection on the same line with the voda router.

Can I get my DSL creds from my voda account or do I need to contact them? Thanks for the suggestions!

[Jayach]

You need to contact them, you can do it via the phone (08080 034 515) or chat. Chat will be faster, and you will be able to get a transcript.

Go here: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/contact-us, tell Tobi to "Go away" (use you own favourite phrase) and he will pass you to an agent.

[HexhamAllstar]

Looks like the plusnet router only allows dsl credentials from specific domains so I can't use it on the vodafone line.

I guess my only options are to keep trying with Vodafone support or shell out for a new modem router. Seems bananas that this simple functionality doesn't work when the THG3000 router has so many bells and whistles