IM6 through Firewalls and Ports??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al Franz
  • Start date Start date
A

Al Franz

Using MSN 6 with WinXP. Never can seem to get any of the fancy features
working due to routers on either end of the connection. Are there standard
ports that need to be opened manually on the router/hub for both sides of
the connection. What are they for such things as:

Remote Assistanace
Remote Desktop
Netmeeting
IM Chat
IM File Sharing
IM Video Conferencing

Are the port numbers the same no matter what router is used, or will the
ports change from router to router?
 
Greetings Al,

Remote Assistance/Remote Desktop uses port 3389 TCP.

Netmeeting uses port 1720 and 1503 TCP, and then 1024-65535 UDP for voice/video data.
Instant Messaging text through Messenger uses port 1863 or port 80, but it's an outgoing
connection to the Messenger servers.
File Transfer uses ports 6891-6900 TCP
The 'Video Conference' and Audio Conversation options use ports 5004-65535 UDP, the 'Webcam'
option uses port 9000 or port 80.

Keep in mind that in MSN Messenger 6, the 'Webcam' feature can use a 'relay server', so even
if incoming ports are blocked, the 'Webcam' feature should still work. As well, the file
transfer feature in MSN Messenger 6 can send files through the actual Messenger server,
therefore bypassing any problems if incoming connections are blocked.

That being said, the Remote Assistance, File Transfer, Video Conference, and Audio
Conversation in MSN Messenger 6 is Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) enabled, and as such, with
a router equipped with UPnP, the necessary ports will automatically be opened and
forwarded -- no configuration is necessary.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
 
Thanks Jonathan great info. Too bad router manufactures are not doing a
better job implementing UPnP. Just too difficult trying to explain to
those not familar with ports what they need to do before one can provide
Remote Assistance (smile!)....
 
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