Skip to content

How to set up port forwarding on your primary router

If you are setting up a server (such as an OpenVPN server or WireGuard server) on your GL.iNet router and it is connected to a primary router, you will have to set up port forwarding on the primary router. This ensures the server to be accessible properly. (Note that if there are other routers between the primary router and the GL.iNet router, you have to set up port forwarding on all these preceding routers.)

Preperation

Before configuring port forwarding, we recommend reserving a static IP address for the GL.iNet router on your primary router. This ensures the GL.iNet router is always assigned a fixed IP address.

Otherwise, if the primary router or GL.iNet router restarts, the primary router may assign a new IP address to the GL.iNet router, causing the port forwarding rule to fail.

Next, set up port forwarding on your primary router for the GL.iNet router.

The steps for configuring port forwarding vary by router brand and model. Refer to the appropriate section below.

Using a GL.iNet Router as Your Primary Router

Please refer to this link.

Using Another Router Brand as Your Primary Router

Make sure to enter the following information when setting up port forwarding

When configuring port forwarding, ensure the following information is provided. Note that terminology may vary across router brands and models.

  • External port/Internal port: Enter the port you are using. For example, the default ports are 1194 (for OpenVPN servers) and 51820 (for WireGuard servers).
  • Protocol: Choose All or UDP/TCP.
  • Internal IP (or shown as Host IP): Enter your secondary router's WAN IP address or select your secondary router from the dropdown if available.

Here are step-by-step instructions for setting up port forwarding on common primary router brands and models.

AT&T

Comcast (Xfinity)

Eero

Refer to these instructions.

Linksys

Refer to these instructions.

Netgear

Refer to these instructions.

Refer to these instructions.

If your primary router brand or model is not listed above, refer to your router manufacturer’s documentation or contact their support team for further assistance.

Still have questions? Visit our Community Forum or Contact us.