port forwarding

[BERG]

For forwarding, do you need to set up a static ip address to forward your ports for a p2p application? If so, what is the best way to do this and is it safe?

[factor]

Most of the routers that I have used required that you do port forwarding to a perticualar static IP address. The way that I have done it in the past is to select an IP address outside of my DHCP scope on the router and then hard code that into the network settings.

As for the security, since you are going to be doing port fowarding to that machine you are opening that port up for attacks. The real question is, what ports are you opening and how long are you opening them for. If you forward all incomming traffic to a single machine, well you might run into issues. If you disable and re-enable the port forwarding when you need it then you reduce your risk.

If you only forward certain ports that you know are required for the gaming experence, or e-mail or http that will help to reduce the risk.

Does this help at all?

[cat5e]

Port forwarding is done by IP (not computer name).

If your Router assigns the same IP to each computer, then there is No need for static IP.

Some Routers allow IP reservation. I.e. The computer could be on the DHCP but would be always assigned with the same IP.

Otherwise, you need to use static IP to insure that the ports are always open according to the specific computer.