Optimizing internet settings for Vuze, port forwarding etc...

I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out how to optimize downloading in Vuze. I used this program to setup a static IP:

http://portforward.com/help/setup_static_ip_address.htm

so now that I've done that, I'm not sure how I can get faster downloads. I'm confused with port forwarding and how it works for making downloads faster. In Vuze, under the connection option, it shows 'Incoming TCP/UDP listen port' and there is a number there. Is that the port # it is using? I'm able to access my router's settings and the only place I see port forwarding is under he heading 'NAT' and it asks for a private IP (is that the specific IP of my computer?) a type (TCP and/or UDP?) and Port range. What does it all mean? I just want to get the fastest download speeds I can.

 

You don't really need a program to setup a static IP as you can do this in Windows by changing the ip address for your network adapter.

Port forwarding is configuring your router so that it sends data that it receives on a specific port number to a specific computer on your network, but it doesn't really have anything to do with the speed.

Yes, that is the port number that Vuze is using to communicate.

The private IP is the ip address of your computer on your private network or LAN that is not visible to the public/internet.

If you don't understand any of these concepts it might be something to research and learn. There is no magic button that makes everything go faster.