Port forwarding - port 22 cannot be configured as it is reserved for internal usage

[lewispickles]

Hi All,

I have recently upgraded my home broadband package and as a result, Vodafone have sent me out a new 'improved' router with model number THG300 (the last one was an ancient Huawei thing they used which apparently I cannot continue to use as it is "unable to handle the new line configuration").

Now, I have multiple servers on my LAN which are running multiple resources which I need access to from over the internet. Therefore, I am trying to configure the port forwarding rules within the router's GUI. I have added a rule to forward traffic on port 21 to my FTP server, 443 to one of my web servers, 445 to an Active Directory server etc etc.

However, when I try to forward port 22 to in order to SSH to a jumpbox, I get a message saying "port cannot be configured as it is reserved for internal usage. Please use a different port".

This obviously raises questions......
1. Why do Vodafone require access to 'something' on my LAN via SSH?

2. Why can I not continue to use my old router

3. Why do the Vodafone support helpdesk keep telling me, "we do not support port forwarding" and are unwilling to raise the request to 2nd line/3rd line as "they are not customer facing" and "there is no issue".

Is there anyone else going through the same stuff?

[Nimras]

"Not using the VF router, and so I run a VPN SERVER on the router which enables me access to the local servers without the vagarities of any port mapping."

In Denmark I used my own Router as it was Fiber 1gb/s up and down for 3 pounds a month with static IP, no need for a router from them.

Best thing in my life.

I am planing on when I move as soon I can to in my new home run everything at home, cloud, ftp, NAS, cinema, storage, mail you name it from my house so I will invest in a router and let it handle it all keeping who ever I chose as provider most like VF still as they have advantages in other areas in the box it came in lol.

[Nimras]

I know the topic is old but no offense no it's not common practice, Vodafone is the first company in several countriese I have lived in that reserve ANY ports, as all others have learned how to access their routers at all times without the need for reserving anything giving their customers full use of their router and good service.