ANSWERED: How to set up Port Forwarding on your Xfinity Gateway

ComcastJessie · ‎07-29-2019

There have been some recent requests to understand and set up port forwarding. This article will explain what port forwarding is and how to use it on your in-home network.

How Does Port Forwarding Work?

Similar to a wall in your home, your Wireless Gateway keeps out potentially harmful risks from the Internet while opening doors or "ports" for safe Internet traffic.

Some applications require a designated port in order to work properly, and that's where port forwarding comes in handy. Port forwarding is also commonly used for:

Video games
Some email application ports, like POP3
Instant messaging
Video conferencing
Peer-to-peer file sharing
Remote computer access
Phone service that leverages voice over IP technology

What is a port number?

All incoming traffic will include a network port number to identify the type of traffic being sent. To find the port number of the traffic you're looking for, contact the service developer or search online. Common port numbers are Port 80 (web servers) and Port 443 for Secure Socket Layer traffic.

What is an IP address?

Every device connected to your home network is assigned an IP (Internet Protocol) address. Your Wireless Gateway communicates with your network devices by automatically assigning local addresses or IP address, such as 10.0.0.1.

xFi Users:

How to Add a Port Forward

Visit xfinity.com/myxFi or open the Xfinity xFi app and sign in with your Xfinity username and password.
Select Network from the Overview section.
Select Advanced Settings under More Options.
Select Port Forwarding from the menu.
Select Add Port Forward.

Note: If you've previously set up a port forward from your Gateway's Admin Tool (http://10.0.0.1), you should see it listed in the Port Forwarding Settings.
Choose the household device for the port forward you are setting up from the drop-down list of connected devices.

Note: If you don't see the device listed, it may not be connected to your home network.
Choose from the list of common applications to use a recommended, preset configuration (e.g., Xbox or PlayStation) or select Manual Setup to enter specific port numbers, ranges and/or protocols.
Select Apply Changes to complete the setup of the port forward.
The device you set up for this port forward can now use these settings.

Note: If you are unsure what port settings to choose, reference the device manual or the application you are trying to use. Opening unnecessary ports is not recommended, as it may pose a security risk.

How to Edit or Delete a Port Forward

Go to xfinity.com/myxFi or open the Xfinity xFi app and sign in with your Xfinity username and password.
Select Network from the Overview section.
Select Advanced Settings under More Options.
Select Port Forwarding. All existing port forwards will be listed here.
Select Edit next to the port forward you wish to edit or delete.
Select Delete this Port Forward at the bottom of the screen if removing, or Apply Changesafter making edits.
Note: Port forwards without an associated device can’t be edited. If you want to use an existing port forward that doesn’t have an associated device, you’ll need to delete it, then create a new one by selecting Add Port Forward.

Advanced/Admin Tool Users:

How to Set Up Port Forwarding

We recommend xFi for most subscribers, but more advanced users can alternately use the Gateway’s Admin Tool.

**Note**: Once you access port forwarding, Bedtime Mode or pause/unpause a device through xFi, you will no longer be able to access similar features (port forwarding, block or scheduled block) through the Gateway's Admin Tool (http://10.0.0.1).

Go to http://10.0.0.1 using a device that is connected to your network.
Log in to the Admin Tool:
- Username: admin
- Password: password
- Note: You will be prompted to change your password the first time you access. Please change the password and if required login to the admin tool with the new password.
Select the Advanced menu in the left pane, then click Port Forwarding.
Select Enable. The button will turn green.
Click +ADD SERVICE in the Port Forwarding box. The Add Service page will appear.
Select the appropriate option (FTP, AIM, HTTP, PPTP), from the Common Service drop-down menu.
- Selecting one of these options will automatically populate the start and end ports below the Common Service field. For a service not listed, select Other and type Service Name in the field.
- The start and end ports will populate only if you selected one of the four Common Services. If not, enter the port numbers that are required for the game or service for which you want to add the port forwarding rule.
Select the Service Type. The Service Type is the protocol used for sending data over the Internet. The default is TCP/UDP.
Click CONNECTED DEVICE to select the device on your network and populate these fields for the IPv4 Address or IPv6 Address fields. If the CONNECTED DEVICE button doesn't appear on the page:
- Open a new browser window, follow Steps 1 and 2 from above, and go to Connected Devices > Devices.
- Click the name of the device for which you want to add the port forwarding rule under Online Devices' Host Name.
- Highlight and copy the IP address.
- Return to the previous browser window and paste the IP address.
Click Save. You have created a port forwarding rule on your home network, but before you log out of the Admin Tool, take note of your WAN IP address under Gateway > Connection > XFINITY Network menu in the left pane. You'll need this information to begin using the game or service.

How to Set Up Port Triggering

Open a web browser, type in http://10.0.0.1 to go to the Admin Tool, and sign in. If you haven’t changed your login, the default settings are:
Username: admin
Password: password (case sensitive)
If you have not changed your password for the Admin tool, you will be asked to change it. Please change the password and, if required, log in to the Admin Tool with the new password.
Navigate to Advanced > Port Triggering on the left side of the page.
Ensure that port triggering is Enabled.
Click the ADD PORT TRIGGER button on the right side of the page.
Consult your gaming console manufacturer's guidelines for assistance in entering values for the fields on this page (or visit these Xbox and PlayStation pages for additional information); the below values are for illustrative purposes only.

**Note**: The trigger and target port numbers you enter will need to be different from each other for each port trigger rule you add. Once you know which ports are required to communicate over your WiFi network, enter values for the fields on this page, including:
- Service Name: Enter a name for the port triggering rule you are creating.
- Service Type: Set the format for the port, where you can choose from options of TCP, UDP or TCP/UDP.
- Trigger Port From/To: Enter the inbound port range for the port trigger.
- Target Port From/To: Enter the target port range for the port trigger.
When finished entering these values, click ADD to complete the process.

ANSWERED: How to set up Port Forwarding on your Xfinity Gateway